Do you remember the last time or the most awkward moment when your professional values, norms or standards came under pressure? I experienced this many years ago when I had to team up and work with someone else in the design and delivery of a learning program. The target group was what you could refer to as ‘millennials’. I don’t like to stereotype target audiences in this way, but the other person insisted on it.
That was not the hardest part. The hardest part was her conviction that ‘all these millennials’ were ‘spoiled Sunday children’ who had never before experienced any tough situations in their lives, so the training program should be tough and challenging to build their character. No pain, no gain. I could not agree with that based on my experience with young professionals. Many of them already had experienced a lot of bad luck and tough situations in their young lives, often related to illness or even the passing away of someone close to them.
I told the client that I could not do this project together with the other person because our professional standards were too different. The project was cancelled, and I forced myself to learn from this situation by exploring my thoughts more deeply, writing a blog about it and starting a conversation with peers. The blog and parts of the conversation are the fourth resource in this episode of the learning notes. I’d love to know if you had any similar experiences; please let me know.
By Mary Slaughter & Dr. David Rock
What’s it about?
Slaughter and Rock explain how effective learning needs a certain level of discomfort. And they address the fact that this might lead to some tension in this age where we tend to focus on learner engagement and an optimal learner experience.
Why read it?
Where to find it?
https://www.fastcompany.com/40560075/no-pain-no-brain-gain-why-learning-demands-a-little-discomfort
By Robert Bjork
What’s it about?
In this video, Robert Bjork clearly explains what he means by desirable difficulties.
Why watch it?
Where to find it?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPllm-gtrMM
By Donald Clark
What’s it about?
Donald Clark reviews the work of Bjork and desirable difficulties in a way that only he can: very clearly, concisely and by highlighting all the practical things you want to know to be able to apply the concept.
Why read it?
Where to find it?
https://donaldclarkplanb.blogspot.com/2020/02/bjork-illusory-learning-solution.html
By yours truly
What’s it about?
I struggled with this notion of ‘no pain, no gain’ related to learning a while ago, so I wrote a blog about it in 2013, long before I got to know the work of Bjork, and asked comments (and got answers) by many.
Why read to it?
Where to find it?
https://lndtrendcatcher.wordpress.com/2013/05/17/wrestling-with-the-cozolo-of-learning-no-pain-no-gain/