Ger’s Learning Notes #41 - Learning and Pain and Desirable Difficulties

“Nowadays, you'll often hear that learning should be 'fun'. But if you want to achieve the best results, it can't always be fun.”

Ger DriesenApril 13, 2022Learning Notes

Ger’s Learning Notes #41
Learning and Pain and Desirable Difficulties

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.

(1) No Pain, No Brain Gain

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?

Find out what is needed for the ‘deep learning’ effect compared with ‘cramming’ or other ‘quick & dirty’ learning strategies.
Read the introduction on ‘Desirable Difficulties’, the theme of the second source in this episode of the learning notes.
Become aware and explore your way forward on how to handle the paradox of Desirable Difficulties and Learner eXperience design.

Where to find it?
https://www.fastcompany.com/40560075/no-pain-no-brain-gain-why-learning-demands-a-little-discomfort

(2) Desirable Difficulties

By Robert Bjork

What’s it about?
In this video, Robert Bjork clearly explains what he means by desirable difficulties.

Why watch it?

Hear it explained by the master himself!
Learn the practical ways of using concrete desirable difficulties in your learning design.
Listen carefully to his warning; it’s not just about difficulties but also about specific desirable difficulties that slow down the initial learning process but lead to better long-term results.

Where to find it?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPllm-gtrMM

(3) Bjork – Illusory learning… the solution… desirable difficulty…

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?

It gives you good insight into the concept of desirable difficulties and clarifies the strategies that you can use.
By reading this after watching the video by Bjork, you applied some desirable difficulties yourself (spacing) and if you did something else in between, that would be interleaving.
At the end, you will want to read all blogs by Donald Clark.

Where to find it?
https://donaldclarkplanb.blogspot.com/2020/02/bjork-illusory-learning-solution.html

(4) Wrestling with the CoZoLo of learning

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?

I hope you enjoy the blog, but the best part really is the 23 responses of learning professionals from different backgrounds and from all over the globe, including some real ‘L&D Rockstars’.
Pick up the fun, and read one of my favourite quotes by the great Dutch philosopher (and soccer player) Johan Cruijff.
Feel free and invited to add your point of view!

Where to find it?
https://lndtrendcatcher.wordpress.com/2013/05/17/wrestling-with-the-cozolo-of-learning-no-pain-no-gain/

About the author

Ger Driesen

Loves to connect people, ideas and inspiration in the global learning community.

On the wish-list to learn: Forging (yes, as forging steel)

Are you hooked on learning?
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“Nowadays, you'll often hear that learning should be 'fun'. But if you want to achieve the best results, it can't always be fun.”