Leveraging the Latest in Brain Science to Deliver the
Next Generation of eLearning
A quick game …
A quick game …
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o Advances in brain science
o Cognitive strategies in learning
o Impact on the future of corporate learning
o Bottom-line results
o Q&A
Session Agenda
Dr. Alice KimPOST-DOCTORATE FELLOW
YORK UNIVERSITY
Carol LeamanCEO
AXONIFY
Back to the game …
1. How many shapes were there?
2. Was a star one of the shapes?
3. Was there a blue square?
4. Was there a green triangle?
Back to the game …
1. How many shapes were there? Four
2. Was a star one of the shapes? Yes
3. Was there a blue square? No
4. Was there a green triangle? Yes
Back to the game …
Back to the game …
Dr. Alice KimPostdoctoral Fellow
The Rotman Research Institute of BaycrestAffiliated with York University in Toronto
York University in Toronto
Scientists know more about the brain than ever before.
Introducing the top 4 advances in the brain
sciences.
Age and lifestyle affect the brain and cognition.
All aspects of memory decline with age.
Fact or Fiction?
All aspects of memory decline with age.
[Fiction]
Fact or Fiction?
How Cognition Changes with Age
Source: Park et al 2002
The brain is plastic throughout the lifespan (neuroplasticity)
There are different types of memory: declarative vs. non-declarative.
Cognitive strategies can be used to improve memory.
E L E V T O R
VThree Core Concepts Driving Retention
SpacingRepeated Retrieval
Deep Encoding
Cognitive strategies can be used to improve memory.
Cognitive strategies for learning and knowledge retention should not be used in
combination, it is better to focus on using one strategy.
Fact or Fiction?
Cognitive strategies for learning and knowledge retention should not be used in
combination, it is better to focus on using one strategy.[Fiction]
Fact or Fiction?
Repeated Retrieval
Repeated retrieval is more effective for long term retention than repeated study.
Study Repeated Retrieval0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
0.4
0.18
0.38Pro
port
ion R
eca
lled
IN SUMMARY: Repeated Retrieval leads to better learning.
IN SUMMARY: Repeated Retrieval leads to better learning.St
udy
Repea
ted
Stud
y
Conce
pt M
apping
Retrie
val P
ract
ice0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8Pro
port
ion C
orr
ect
Source: 2011 study by Jeffrey D. Karpicke, Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University
Sometimes you’re better off cramming.
Fact or Fiction?
Sometimes you’re better off cramming.
[Fact]
Fact or Fiction?
Spacing
Long-term retention is improved as the spacing between repetitions increases.
Pro
port
ion R
eca
lled
IN SUMMARY: Spaced (vs. crammed) practice leads to better learning.
0 4 120
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
0.67
0.81 0.83
Re-Study Condit...
Intervening Items
Pro
port
ion R
eca
lled
IN SUMMARY: Spaced (vs. crammed) practice leads to better learning.
0 4 120
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
0.67
0.81 0.83
0.71
0.950.99
Re-Study Condi-tion
Intervening Items
Deep Encoding
The more deeply and meaningfully you process information, the more likely you are to remember it.
IN SUMMARY: Deep encoding leads to better retention.
Case Rhyme Sentence0
0.1
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0.6
0.7Pro
po
rtio
n R
eco
gn
ize
d
Source: Craik & Tulving, 1975
o Spacing combined with retrieval leads to better learning
o Practicing retrieval is particularly beneficial to learning when
it:
o Is followed by feedback
o Occurs multiple times
o Requires effort
o Retention is better when information is processed deeply
Take Home Messages
What can we do to improve learning?
Retrieve repeatedly
Space out your practice
Be engaged – process
information
Carol LeamanCEO
Axonify
E L E V T O R
VEmployees aren’t remembering and applying what they need to know to do their jobs effectively.
The Challenge
E L E V T O R
V
Let’s look at 2 examples…
Medical Device Manufacturer Large National Retailer
Professional Sales Rep Retail Associate
1000’s of distributed sales professionals
selling highly complex medical products
1000’s of hourly paid associates
working the floor at stores nationally.
E L E V T O R
V
Example 1: Medical Device Manufacturer
Professional Sales Rep
1000’s of distributed sales
professionals selling highly
complex medical products
People sell what they remember
The Reality
Product features, pricing & competitive positioning change frequently
Complex compliance & regulatory polices
E L E V T O R
V
Example 2: National Retailer
The Situation
Customer took $2,000 worth of merchandise to the 2nd clerk.
The Reality
2 sales clerks with completely different interpretations of how multiple discounts are applied
Retail Associate
1000’s of hourly paid associates
working the floor at stores
nationally.
Who was correct?
• Our Customers
Traditional Corporate Learning
Three Phases of Learning
“An organization is competent to the degree it performs effectively at every changing moment. This can’t happen unless organizational knowledge is current, staff skills are up-to-date, and required resources are readily available to support optimal performance.”
- Conrad Gottfredson & Bob Mosher- APPLY Synergies
Conrad Gottfredson & Bob Mosher ©APPLY Synergies.
Three Phases of Learning
“An organization is competent to the degree it performs effectively at every changing moment. This can’t happen unless organizational knowledge is current, staff skills are up-to-date, and required resources are readily available to support optimal performance.”
- Conrad Gottfredson & Bob Mosher- APPLY Synergies
Conrad Gottfredson & Bob Mosher ©APPLY Synergies.
The missing piece.
Incorporating Brain Science into Corporate eLearning
The next generation of corporate eLearning
Retrieval Practices Spaced Repetition
Engagement
Exposing employees to ideas 3 times over 30 days, versus 1 time over 30 days.
3 Times After 30 Days
1 Time After 30 Days
10%
50%
90%
DAYS 1 2 3
4 5
KNO
WLE
DG
E RE
TAIN
ED
10 15 20 25 30
RetentionIncreases Up To
90%
Training Event 1 2 3
Spaced Repetition
E L E V T O R
V
Confidence-Based Assessment
The use of a confidence-based learning methodology:
o Has shown better knowledge retention and knowledge acquisition.
o Triggers an emotional reaction, which assists with long-term retention.
KNOWLEDGE 5
30
MisinformedMistakes
MasterySmart Action
UninformedParalysis
DoubtHesitation
Source: Dr. James Bruno Confidence-Based Learning Methodology, UCLA
More effective knowledge acquisition & retention
15-20% Law AcademyPass rate on certification exams went from
79% to 100%
CO
NFI
DEN
CE
Engagement Elements
PlayGrowing selection of games that can be
chosen by the learner.
ChallengeTimed play, surprise elements, increasing difficulty, goals and
levels.
SocialCommunity recognition,
peer visibility, leaderboards for
individuals and teams.
RewardingBadges, win prizes and
constant feedback.
“The level of engagement of an activity is what really facilitates the learning. The idea behind gamification is getting everybody engaged on a frequent basis. When you can do that, you can really
drive learning.”
Prof. Karl M. Kapp, Speaker & Author of “The Gamification of Learning & Instruction”
Introducing Some Bottom-line Results
Knowledge Lift
E L E V T O R
V
Ethicon
Increased Sales
>50%Increased Confidence & Product Knowledge
Participation
Voluntary Participation
Informed Employees95%
Prefer Axonify Learning Method
82%Ethicon sales reps
are more confident in their
product knowledge and as
a result sell more..
Bottom-line results at Ethicon.
E L E V T O R
V
Happier Employees
“”It’s an easy system to use and a lot of
fun. Last night I went home and looked
through the materials so that I
was prepared.”.
Business Impact
66%Reduction In Errors
Knowledge Lifts
Knowledge Improvements
40%
Bottom-line results at Capital BlueCross.
E L E V T O R
V
Results
86.6%Increase in confidence
Associate FeedbackDiverse Workforce
Bloomingdale’s employees
represent 4 different
generations and many cultures &
languages.
85.6%Stated that gamification increased their participation in learning
41%Reduction in safety claims
Bottom-line results at Bloomingdale’s.
E L E V T O R
V
Results
54%Safety Incident Reduction
Application Safer Employees
I know that Axonify has
positively impacted our
safety performance, it’s
a quick, simple way to keep safety top of
mind.- DC Manager
Employees Using Axonify
70,000+
Walmart
120Distribution Centers
Bottom-line results at Walmart Logistics.
Introducing a new era of corporate eLearning that leverages how the brain actually works.
&
Questions & Answers
Dr. Alice Kim
Web: www.alicekim.ca
Twitter: @AliceSNKim
Axonify
Web: www.axonify.com
Twitter: @Axonify
