Training Alchemy: Converting ordinary training into memorable experiences

Imagine turning even the driest training into unforgettable experiences. This session dives into the neuroscience of learning, revealing how simple "triggers" can bypass the brain's natural filters, boosting engagement and retention. Whether you're a novice or a veteran, you'll walk away with a toolkit of six proven strategies, a deeper understanding of brain processing, and the ability to convert passive learning into lasting knowledge.

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Transcript

1. Training Alchemy How to Transform Your Content into Learning Gold mike-taylor.org
2. Ever think a training went well, then realize later that key points didn't stick? Training Challenge
3. Telling Ain’t Training!
4. “Without an understanding of human cognitive architecture, instruction is blind.” John Sweller creator of Cognitive Load Theory
5. Memory Attention The Brain’s Gatekeepers
6. Poll Question
10. What did you notice about the video?
13. Poll Question Do Over
14. “You are not even seeing most of what’s going on in the universe.” Abhijit Naskar, Neuroscientist
15. Why Do We Miss So Much?
16. Inattentional blindness: Our intuition is that we will notice something that's that visible, that's that distinctive, and that intuition is consistently wrong. – Daniel Simons Invisible Gorilla
17. “We can be blind to the obvious, and we are also blind to our blindness.” Daniel Kahneman
18. only about 1-2° of our visual field is high resolution
19. High-definition area
20. 5° from center is 50% less sharp
21. Stare at this center mark
23. What happened to the faces?
24. Our brain isn’t like a video recorder
25. Did anyone spot the gorilla?
26. Attention <1% makes it into our ‘spotlight’ of attention Gate #1
27. Attention The Brain’s Gatekeepers
28. Helps us function in a complex world.
29. How does our brain decide what to let in?
30. Daniel Kahneman Human thinking and decision-making involve two distinct cognitive systems
31. Subconscious Conscious
32. CONTROLLED
34. Let’s try an experiment! Say the COLOR of each word
35. RED GREEN BLUE ORANGE BLUE GREEN BROWN YELLOW BLUE
36. RED GREEN BLUE ORANGE BLUE GREEN BROWN YELLOW BLUE
37. What Happened? Override automatic response with conscious control Focus attention specifically on the color System 2 consciously “put on the brakes” Reading is automatic System 1 System 1 can't be turned off. Even when you know the task is to name colors, you can't prevent yourself from reading the words.
38. System 1 is INSANELY FAST! Process visuals in 13 milliseconds* * It takes 100-400ms to blink
39. But it ISN’T DURABLE
40. System 2 Uses Working Memory Holds new information Manipulates concepts Solves problems Makes connections Processes complex information
41. Working Memory Attention The Brain’s Gatekeepers
42. Sensory inputs Long-term memory Audience
43. Sensory inputs Long-term memory Working Memory Limited capacity Easily overwhelmed
44. kids spouse money kids deadlines lunch blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
45. Each person’s takeaways are random
46. kids spouse money kids dealines lunch blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah 1 2 3 Way more likely to remember what you want them to
47. Learning Nerd Alert! Cognitive Load
48. Cognitive Load Intrinsic Load Complexity of the material Extraneous Load Unnecessary distractions Germane Load Effort to build understanding The mental effort required to process information.
49. Cognitive Load Smart design reduces unnecessary processing & focuses your mental energy on what matters!
50. Time for another experiment Memorize Letters
51. RFNACBSIAIAS
52. How many do you remember?
53. FBI CIA NASA IRS
54. How many do you remember?
55. 12 items RFNACBSIAIAS 4 chunks FBI CIA NASA IRS
56. Helpful Techniques Present information in manageable chunks Remove unnecessary information Allow processing time Provide memory support tools
57. Simple Memory Model Working Memory Environment Attention Long-Term Memory Learn Recall Adapted from Oliver Caviglioli | olicav.com
58. Get important information past both gatekeepers and into long-term memory Training Challenge
59. Work with your brain, not against it
60. “The brain actually isn’t interested in learning, it’s interested in surviving.” John Medina author of “Brain Rules”
61. 2% OF OUR BODY MASS
62. 20% ENERGY CONSUMPTION
63. To conserve energy our brains take mental shortcuts Heuristics ↓ Cognitive Biases
65. Attention Triggers: Keys to unlock learning
66. https://pitch-assets-ccb95893-de3f-4266-973c-20049231b248.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/try-pitch-pdf-export-logo.svg Keys to Unlock the Gates PERSONAL CONTRASTABLE TANGIBLE MEMORABLE VISUAL EMOTIONAL
67. The "Me" Filter: Personal Relevance Captures Attention Ground learning in people’s real-world challenges Frame benefits in terms of their goals
68. Last week, two of your colleagues had near- misses with the new equipment. Let's examine what happened and how to prevent it. Today we'll talk about caseworker safety in the field.
69. "YOUR colleague Sarah was threatened yesterday during a routine visit. Those same warning signs YOU missed during a home visit could put YOU in danger tomorrow. Let's make sure YOU know exactly what to do when—not if—it happens to YOU." Today we'll talk about caseworker safety in the field.
70. The Difference Detector Contrast Commands Notice Use Before/After (Right/Wrong) scenarios Highlight key differences between concepts
71. Two identical meetings with the same teen: In one, he reveals his deepest fears about going home. In the other, he refuses to speak and walks out. The difference? Just three words the caseworker chose in the first minute that either opened the door or slammed it shut. Here’s how to engage youth.
72. Two identical meetings with the same teen: In one, he reveals his deepest fears about going home. In the other, he refuses to speak and walks out. The difference? Just three words the caseworker chose in the first minute that either opened the door or slammed it shut. Here’s how to engage youth. https://pitch-assets-ccb95893-de3f-4266-973c-20049231b248.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/try-pitch-pdf-export-logo.svg
73. The Reality Rule Concrete beats abstract Use real-world examples Convert principles into actionable steps
74. Here are three tools for teen permanency conversations: a 'Life Map' timeline they physically mark, color-coded 'Connection Cards' they sort into relationship groups, and a 'Future Home Worksheet' they actually draw on. When teens can touch and manipulate these objects, abstract permanency plans become real possibilities they can see and create We need to involve teens when discussing permanency.
75. Here are three tools for teen permanency conversations: a 'Life Map' timeline they physically mark, color-coded 'Connection Cards' they sort into relationship groups, and a 'Future Home Worksheet' they actually draw on. When teens can touch and manipulate these objects, abstract permanency plans become real possibilities they can see and create We need to involve teens when discussing permanency.
76. The Surprise Spotlight Breaking through mental filters Disrupt expectations with surprising moments & pattern- breaking content. Include strategic storytelling elements
77. SOLVE This simple word transforms how you engage with families—focusing on their capacity to solve their own challenges. S - Strengths first: Identify what's working O - Open-ended questions: "How did you manage before?" L - Look for exceptions: "When doesn't the problem happen?" V - Vision of success: "What would tomorrow look like without this problem?" E - Empower the family: Help them recognize their own solutions When families are struggling, remember to "SOLVE" How to use solutions- focused strategies
78. SOLVE This simple word transforms how you engage with families—focusing on their capacity to solve their own challenges. S - Strengths first: Identify what's working O - Open-ended questions: "How did you manage before?" L - Look for exceptions: "When doesn't the problem happen?" V - Vision of success: "What would tomorrow look like without this problem?" E - Empower the family: Help them recognize their own solutions When families are struggling, remember to "SOLVE" How to use solutions- focused strategies https://pitch-assets-ccb95893-de3f-4266-973c-20049231b248.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/try-pitch-pdf-export-logo.svg
79. The Visual Advantage Seeing is believing (& Remembering) Use RELEVANT images and diagrams. SHOW information instead of relying on text.
80. A simple closed shape in Euclidean geometry. It is the set of all points in a plane that are at a given distance from a given point, the center; equivalently it is the curve traced out by a point that moves so that its distance from a given point is constant.
81. A simple closed shape in Euclidean geometry. It is the set of all points in a plane that are at a given distance from a given point, the center; equivalently it is the curve traced out by a point that moves so that its distance from a given point is constant. https://pitch-assets-ccb95893-de3f-4266-973c-20049231b248.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/try-pitch-pdf-export-logo.svg
82. The Emotional Bookmark Feelings flag importance Connect to human impact Link to deeper purpose
83. Picture 13-year-old Alex crying silently at night, clutching the only family photo he has left. 'Do they even remember me?' he whispers. That pit in your stomach right now? That's exactly what he feels every single day. What you learn today could reunite him with a family who's been searching for him all along. Today, we’ll discuss Family Search and Engagement
84. Picture 13-year-old Alex crying silently at night, clutching the only family photo he has left. 'Do they even remember me?' he whispers. That pit in your stomach right now? That's exactly what he feels every single day. What you learn today could reunite him with a family who's been searching for him all along. Today, we’ll discuss Family Search and Engagement https://pitch-assets-ccb95893-de3f-4266-973c-20049231b248.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/try-pitch-pdf-export-logo.svg
85. Combine Them These can be combined for an even more powerful attention-grabbing effect.
86. This is Alex. Every night, he asks, 'Do they remember me?’ Your actions can reunite him with his family.
87. https://pitch-assets-ccb95893-de3f-4266-973c-20049231b248.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/try-pitch-pdf-export-logo.svg Getting Past the Brain's Gatekeepers PERSONAL CONTRASTABLE TANGIBLE MEMORABLE VISUAL EMOTIONAL
88. Training Alchemy: Turning Information Into Impact
89. Simple adjustments, big results. Work with the brain, not against it!
90. NEXT STEPS: Choose ONE upcoming training session Apply at least TWO attention triggers Gauge the difference in engagement and retention
91. Finish one of these sentences https://miketaylor.craft.me/training-alchemy I learned ... I'm beginning to think that ... I wonder if ... I was surprised that ... I'm going to try ... Slides & Resources