The Learning Hack podcast

Leadership learning is perhaps the most prestitigious and well-funded of training staples. In a changing world, it has become democratized in recent years, and now embraces a more progressive (some would say liberal) agenda. Nevertheless it faces criticism from academics in highly respected institutions, who question its value.

In this wide-ranging discussion about the current state of leadership learning, John talks to Gustaf Nordbäck, CEO of Headspring Executive Development, a joint venture between the Financial Times and IE Business School. Under Gustaf's direction Headspring has become a top provider of leadership solutions for clients around the world. How does he answer leadership's critics – and what is the future for leadership learning, in a world where decision-making becomes increasingly delegated to AI?

NB: We apologise for the crackles on John's mic during the interview, and hope these technical shortcomings do not detract too badly from your enjoyment.

• 0:00 - Intro
• 3:13 - Leading Headspring
• 9:16 - Vision for leadership in the 21st Century
• 17:27 - How diverse is Leadership Learning?
• 24:35 - Differences in leadership styles
• 28:19 - Answering critics
• 35:47 - Digital Technology in course delivery
• 40:23 - AI in Leadership

Follow Gustaf:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gustaf-nordback Headspring
• Website: https://www.headspringexecutive.com/
• Email: [email protected]

Contact John Helmer:

• Twitter: @johnhelmer
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/
• Website: https://learninghackpodcast.com/
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LearningHack

Download the white paper from Learning Pool written by John Helmer – The Spacing Effect: Harnessing the Power of Spaced Practice for Learning That Sticks https://learningpool.com/spacing-effect-harnessing-power-of-spaced-practice/

Stephen Downes is a prominent speaker and writer in the field of educational technology and learning, known for his work on open educational resources, digital learning, and the development of the MOOC (massive open online course). He's currently a researcher at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. Downes sees three current technologies as being critical for the development of online education; metaverse, blockchain and AI. But rather than making airy pronouncements in clickbait blog posts about this techno-troika, he has thought hard about how they operate together, creating a possible future for online education. But in this new distributed, learner-driven world, will we still need universities?

• 0:00 - Intro
• 3:53 - The MOOCs of today
• 8:04 - Physical state of the brain
• 13:28 - The Metaverse
• 32:32 - Blockchain
• 38:57 - Artificial Intelligence
• 56:02 - What the university looks like in the future?

YouTube talks by Stephen mentioned in the discussion.

• https://youtu.be/iGi4DDCuzRw
• https://youtu.be/zCojHtC1aCw

Follow Stephen

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stdownes
• Website (Personal): https://www.downes.ca/
• Blog: http://halfanhour.blogspot.com/
• Website (personal): http://leftish.media/
• Email: [email protected]

Contact John Helmer

• Twitter: @johnhelmer
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/
• Website: https://learninghackpodcast.com/
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LearningHack

Download the white paper from Learning Pool written by John Helmer – The Spacing Effect: Harnessing the Power of Spaced Practice for Learning That Sticks https://learningpool.com/spacing-effect-harnessing-power-of-spaced-practice/

'We are on a highway to climate hell with our foot still on the accelerator' (António Guterres, United Nations Secretary General speaking at COP 27). Successive COPs have revealed a lack of will among the world's governments to make commitments that they'll actually stick by. So increasingly, people who aren't in government feel it's down to them to do something. Every institution and organization of any size, it seems, has an environmental policy, and it falls to HR, L&D and educators of all stripes to communicate these policies. Learning professionals are therefore heavily involved in the response to the climate emergency. In this episode, John discusses with a distinguished climate scientist exactly where we are with controlling climate change and how best learning professionals can contribute. Robert Nicholls is Professor and Director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, based at the University of East Anglia. He has contributed extensively to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (the IPCC). His particular focus is the implications of sea-level rise, especially on coastal areas. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers and is the co-editor of six books.

• 0:00 - Intro
• 3:18 - The state of climate change
• 9:55 - Warming in coastal areas
• 14:02 - Effect of the energy crisis
• 23:50 - Confidence in engineering solutions
• 28:59 - Learning Departments' response
• 32:14 - Impact of grassroots activities
• 34:31 - What's improving?

Follow Professor Robert Nicholls

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-nicholls-2a97706
• Website (Personal): https://www.southampton.ac.uk/engineering/about/staff/rjn.page
• Website (Tyndall Centre): https://tyndall.ac.uk/people/robert-nicholls/
• Email: [email protected]

Contact John Helmer

• Twitter: @johnhelmer
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/
• Website: http://johnhelmerconsulting.com/
• Download the white paper from Learning Pool written by John Helmer – The Spacing Effect: Harnessing the Power of Spaced Practice for Learning That Sticks https://learningpool.com/spacing-effect-harnessing-power-of-spaced-practice/

Empathy is a big word in learning. We want to have more of it, so learning professionals are increasingly charged with helping to promote and somehow inculcate it in their learners. But the efficacy of programmes designed to do that thing has been highly questionable. In this episode we look in depth at an innovative programme designed by Make Real that has pioneered a way of increasing empathy. The programme has shown surprising results, and not just by the (often limited) standards by which training programmes are normally judged. Make Real collaborated with Empathy and VR researcher, Lynda Joy Gerry, to carry out a scientific evaluation of the programme. John talks to Lynda and Sophie Costin, of Make Real about the programme, and its implications for the future of learning.

• 02:00 Intro
• 03:36 Setting up the programme
• 08:38 More detail about the learning programme
• 10:18 Why not do the programme over headsets?
• 11:32 Experiment description
• 16:34 What were the results?
• 23:26 Scientific analysis of the results
• 24:12 Why were these results surprising?
• 31:33 Implications for future research

The programme

• https://makereal.co.uk/turning-your-learners-into-activists/ (download a summary, the full academic paper, and watch a talk that Lynda and Sophie did at Learning Technologies about the research).

Follow Sophie

• Twitter: @MakeRealLtd
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-costin-609a5935
• Website: https://makereal.co.uk/

Follow Lynda

• Twitter: @VirtualAlterity
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyndajoygerry
• Website: http://www.lyndajoygerry.com/
• Blog: http://www.whatisexperience.com/

Contact John Helmer

• Twitter: @johnhelmer
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/
• Website: http://johnhelmerconsulting.com/
• Download the white paper from Learning Pool written by John Helmer – The Spacing Effect: Harnessing the Power of Spaced Practice for Learning That Sticks https://learningpool.com/spacing-effect-harnessing-power-of-spaced-practice/

Learning Hack is on a mid-season break but here's another chance to hear one our most downloaded episodes. John talks to Dr. Jane Bozarth, Director of Research at The Learning Guild, about how the rise of digital technology is changing expectations about the sort of skills and qualifications a learning professional should have in the 21st Century – and about her own, long career in learning. That career includes numerous books, work as a columnist for Learning Solutions Magazine, and a long-standing position as E-Learning Co-ordinator for the US state of North Carolina. More than all that, Jane has always been a fount of no-nonsense, practical advice for learning professionals, and there's planty on display in this interview.

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:54 Role at the Learning Guild
• 06:07 The Guild Masters' view on future of learning
• 11:36 Proliferation of tools raises L&D skills issues
• 16:46 How educated is L&D?
• 20:56 Is learning theory important to learning professionals?
• 25:25 Where is L&D with the pandemic right now?
• 28:55 The widening L&D skillset
• 33:28 Is L&D a buying function?
• 37:43 What has been her career journey in learning?

Mentioned in the discussion

• The Johari Window: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johari_window
• Report: Guild Masters on The Future of Learning: https://www.learningguild.com/insights/266/guild-masters-on-the-future-of-learning/?from=home
• Report: Degrees for L&D Professionals: What, Why, and Worth? https://www.learningguild.com/insights/263/degrees-for-ld-professionals-what-why-and-worth/?from=content&mode=filter&source=insights
• Many other reports by Dr. Jane Bozarth can be found on the Learning Guild website: https://www.learningguild.com/

Contact Dr. Jane

• Twitter: @JaneBozarth
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janebozarth
• Website/Blog: http://bozarthzone.blogspot.com/

Contact John Helmer

• Twitter: @johnhelmer
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/
• Website: http://johnhelmerconsulting.com/

Learning Hack is on a mid-season break but here's another chance to hear one our most downloaded episodes. John talks to Dr. Jane Bozarth, Director of Research at The Learning Guild, about how the rise of digital technology is changing expectations about the sort of skills and qualifications a learning professional should have in the 21st Century – and about her own, long career in learning. That career includes numerous books, work as a columnist for Learning Solutions Magazine, and a long-standing position as E-Learning Co-ordinator for the US state of North Carolina. More than all that, Jane has always been a fount of no-nonsense, practical advice for learning professionals, and there's planty on display in this interview.

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:54 Role at the Learning Guild
• 06:07 The Guild Masters' view on future of learning
• 11:36 Proliferation of tools raises L&D skills issues
• 16:46 How educated is L&D?
• 20:56 Is learning theory important to learning professionals?
• 25:25 Where is L&D with the pandemic right now?
• 28:55 The widening L&D skillset
• 33:28 Is L&D a buying function?
• 37:43 What has been her career journey in learning?

Mentioned in the discussion

• The Johari Window: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johari_window
• Report: Guild Masters on The Future of Learning: https://www.learningguild.com/insights/266/guild-masters-on-the-future-of-learning/?from=home
• Report: Degrees for L&D Professionals: What, Why, and Worth? https://www.learningguild.com/insights/263/degrees-for-ld-professionals-what-why-and-worth/?from=content&mode=filter&source=insights
• Many other reports by Dr. Jane Bozarth can be found on the Learning Guild website: https://www.learningguild.com/

Contact Dr. Jane

• Twitter: @JaneBozarth
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janebozarth
• Website/Blog: http://bozarthzone.blogspot.com/

Contact John Helmer

• Twitter: @johnhelmer
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/
• Website: http://johnhelmerconsulting.com/

New research says that while workflow learning is thought to be the most effective way of learning by employees, neither L&D or the learners themselves have the time to implement it. What is going on here? To find out, John talked to David James, whose company sponsored the research. David has worked in People Development for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across EMEA. He is now Chief Learning Officer for 360 Learning, working with clients to develop and implement their digital learning strategies. David also hosts the Learning & Development podcast.

• 0:00 - Intro
• 2:54 - Learning in the flow of work
• 5:24 - David's definition of learning
• 13:14 - Stand out findings from the report
• 18:36 - Interpreting the time problem
• 33:50 - Recommendations for action
• 37:18 - David's background in learning

The Report: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/overlay/1495204428082/single-media-viewer Follow David

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin
• Website: https://davidinlearning.com/
• Twitter: @DavidInLearning

Contact John Helmer

• Email: [email protected]
• Twitter: @johnhelmer
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/
• Website: https://johnhelmerconsulting.com/

Download the white paper from Learning Pool written by John Helmer – The Spacing Effect: Harnessing the Power of Spaced Practice for Learning That Sticks https://learningpool.com/spacing-effect-harnessing-power-of-spaced-practice/

Children often ask challenging questions, but according to John's guest this time, we should see these as valuable opportunities for learning. Dr Rebecca Rolland is a speech pathologist and education lecturer whose recently published book, "The Art of Talking with Children", gives parents and educators practical strategies for holding what she calls 'rich 'conversations' which she sees as central to effective parenting and education. John discusses these strategies with Rebecca, and explores how applicable these techniques might be to older students and the field of workplace learning.

• 00:00 Intro
• 03:09 'Rich' conversation
• 08:34 How do you stop it feeling awkward?
• 11:40 What part do rich conversations play in learning?
• 13:31 What are her theoretical underpinnings?
• 22:12 Is there adequate support for difference?
• 29:56 Does elearning support good conversations?
• 35:54 What advice does she give to businesses about employee needs?

Follow Rebecca

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-rolland-b0a95bb
• Website: http://www.rebeccarolland.com/
• Blog: http://eepurl.com/hQnyxz
• Twitter: @rolland_rg
• The Book: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-art-of-talking-with-children-rebecca-rolland

Contact John Helmer

• Email: [email protected]
• Twitter: @johnhelmer
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/
• Website: https://johnhelmerconsulting.com/
• Download the white paper from Learning Pool written by John Helmer – The Spacing Effect: Harnessing the Power of Spaced Practice for Learning That Sticks https://learningpool.com/spacing-effect-harnessing-power-of-spaced-practice/

Adaptive learning has been bubbling under for a while in learning technologies, but it's never quite broken through. Now that the technology to implement it, particularly AI, is maturing, and both investment and adoption are on the increase, is it finally about to go mainstream? John talks to Andy Wooler, Senior VP, Product Management at Area9 Lyceum, about about what adaptive has to offer, and also about the personal journey that has led to his current position. Andy has had a long and interesting career in elearning, on both on practitioner and vendor sides of the fence, giving him a unique perspective on the development of learning technologies.

• 0:00 - Intro
• 3:23 - Products at Area9 Lyceum
• 8:38 - How adaptive is this system?
• 15:41 - What blockers are there to overcome?
• 20:42 - Is Adaptive swimming against the tide of the learning market?
• 33:51 - 'We all learn together', not in isolation
• 47:31 - Where to follow Andy's activities

Follow Andy

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andywooler
• Website: http://www.andywooler.com/
• Blog: http://www.andywooler.info/wordpress
• Twitter: @awooler

Contact John Helmer

• Email: [email protected]
• Twitter: @johnhelmer
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/
• Website: https://johnhelmerconsulting.com/

Download the white paper from Learning Pool written by John Helmer – The Spacing Effect: Harnessing the Power of Spaced Practice for Learning That Sticks https://learningpool.com/spacing-effect-harnessing-power-of-spaced-practice/

Dr. Nigel Paine is co-presenter of Learning Now TV and From Scratch Podcast (with Martin Couzins) and has been involved in corporate learning for over 20 years. Among many career highlights he was head of the BBC's learning and development operation, and for 12 years Advisory Board Member for the University of Pennsylvania's CLO Doctoral Program. T his conversation explores his past career but also the insights to which that lifetime of experience has given rise. He has interesting things to say about L&D's interactions with the business, and good advice for learning professionals.

• 0:00 - Intro
• 3:27 - Nigel's beginnings in learning
• 13:05 - People development at the BBC
• 22:09 - Why is L&D so inward looking?
• 24:57 - Has it become that way?
• 29:08 - Individual vs organizational learning
• 33:44 - 'More learning is not the primary input'
• 43:55 - Where to follow Nigel's work
• 46:29 - Outro

Follow Nigel

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nigelpaine
• Website: https://www.nigelpaine.com/
• Blog: https://www.nigelpaine.com/blog/
• Twitter: @ebase

Contact John Helmer

• Email: [email protected]
• Twitter: @johnhelmer
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/
• Website: https://johnhelmerconsulting.com/

Download the white paper from Learning Pool written by John Helmer – The Spacing Effect: Harnessing the Power of Spaced Practice for Learning That Sticks https://learningpool.com/spacing-effect-harnessing-power-of-spaced-practice/