Mind the Skills Gap (Stellar Labs)

Donald Clark takes us on a fast paced journey connecting the state of L&D today with cave paintings, Plato, Mary Wollstonecraft and the metaverse. Where else are you going to learn the history of your profession so fast?

Don Taylor has a problem with learning technology! Stella was keen to dig into how Don Taylor thinks learning tech is evolving, and what he thinks has changed since he wrote his book, Learning Technologies in the Workplace.

Mirjam Neelen and Stella Collins discuss the best ways to change behaviour, improve performance and increase return on investment to make learning more effective and enjoyable. As well as how to ensure employees are equipped with the skills they need for today's challenging and demanding market.

We decided to give our podcast a refresh. Drumroll please... Welcome to Mind the Skills Gap! New look, new name, but still top-quality conversation with our brilliant guests – focused on one of the biggest challenges facing businesses today: The skills gap.

Will watching 100 hours of LinkedIn Learning courses make you better at your job? What can you learn from bad bosses? And, why be a facilitator not just a performer. In this episode of Mind the Skills Gap Simon Howson-Baggott (Manager, Customer Success at LinkedIn Learning) shares his insights from a long career in L&D , including 5+ years at LinkedIn Learning.

Can digital learning build more than knowledge and help people build skills?
In this episode, I'm joined by Georgie Cooke, Director at learning design agency, Lima Delta. Listen for a host of practical insights to help you design learning to build skills, including on:

• Design processes for building skills
• The support needed for self-directed learning
• Safe, yet realistic environments for practising skills
• The role of reflection
• The impact of motivation throughout learning journeys
• The road to mastery

And more!

Learning transfer is a major challenge - on average only around 15% of training turns into skills on the job. Not a comfortable conversation to have with the C-Suite!

So how do you tackle the elephant in the room?

Paul Matthews, CEO of People Alchemy and Learning Transfer guru, joined me to discuss.

It's a great episode packed with insights, including:

👉 How to get to the heart of the behaviour change the C-Suite wants to see
👉 How to measure learning transfer in a way that demonstrates real value to the people at the top
👉 The challenges of learning transfer and how to use the 12 levers to boost it
👉 The role of learning culture

Read my guide to Learning Transfer.

The human element of learning analytics and how to use data to create better learning experiences. In this episode, Stella dives into learning data and how to use it, with Bart Rienties, Professor of Learning Analytics at The Open University.

Bart Rienties is the Professor of Learning Analytics at The Open University. As an educational psychologist, he brings a fascinating perspective.

In this episode Stella and Bart discuss:

• The key elements of learning analytics
• The importance of the human element of leveraging learning data to support students and the learning environment.
• The value of tailoring the learning experience using data
• How to use analytics to pinpoint learner's strong points and areas for development
• A real-world story of how using predictive learning analytics raised retention rates by 2 to 10%

In this episode of "Neuroscience for Learning," Stella Collins and Jaan Couvreur explore how our brains learn and the challenges we face in applying that knowledge in the professional context.

They introduce the concept of building a brain, highlighting the brainstem, central cerebrum, and cerebral cortex, and how they contribute to our learning processes. With a focus on the importance of applying knowledge through active engagement, they present the GEAR methodology—a four-step approach involving guiding, experimenting, applying, and retaining knowledge.

By understanding the energy demands of our brains and utilising effective learning strategies like spaced repetition, they emphasise the transformation of learning from knowing to doing.

Join Stella and Jaan on this captivating journey from neuroscience to practical application in the workplace.

In this episode of "The Neuroscience of Learning," Stella Collins and Tina Harris delve into the fascinating world of motivating minds and bodies to learn. They explore the crucial role neurotransmitters play in our brain states during the learning process, highlighting the significance of curiosity fuelled by dopamine, attention supported by acetylcholine, and satisfaction triggered by serotonin. They emphasise the negative impact of stress on learning, attributed to cortisol and adrenaline.

Tina shares valuable insights on promoting motivation and skill automation, emphasising the importance of understanding learners' "why" and incorporating it into the learning design. They discuss creating a safe and challenging environment, encouraging guesswork and contribution, and fostering curiosity through novel approaches. The goal is to ignite learners' intrinsic motivation, cultivate engagement, and facilitate effective knowledge transfer.

Join them in exploring the intriguing world of neuroscience in learning.

In this episode, Stella Collins and Karen Mouws explore the fascinating world of neuroscience in learning. They delve into the concept of cognitive overload caused by an excessive amount of content and its impact on our brains.

Stella presents an engaging activity that demonstrates cognitive overload firsthand. Karen then shares four essential strategies to combat cognitive overload: context, connections, concrete information, and chunking.

They discuss the importance of making learning relatable, connecting new knowledge to existing knowledge, using real situations, and asking questions. Stella emphasises the significance of making learning concrete and engaging the senses. Finally, they stress the power of active learning to enhance retention.

Join Stella and Karen as they provide valuable insights and practical tips to optimise learning experiences and improve performance.

In this episode, Stella and Karen delve into the fascinating world of neuroplasticity and its impact on learning. Join us as we explore how our brains form and reform connections through the use of glucose, electricity, and chemicals.

Discover the truth about the brain's capacity to change and adapt, debunking the myth of its fixed nature. Learn about Hebb's Law and how neurons that fire together wire together, creating interconnected networks that enable us to perform cognitive tasks. But how can we harness neuroplasticity in practical learning scenarios? Enter the power of play. Find out how playfulness triggers creativity, enhances brain connections, and promotes thinking outside the box.

Discover simple yet effective strategies to incorporate play into learning, including adapting favourite games, using multisensory elements, and fostering social interaction. Uncover the benefits of play for adults, from better memory to cognitive flexibility and stress regulation.

So, whether you're a learner or an educator, join us on this exciting journey as we unlock the potential of neuroplasticity and play in the world of learning.

In this fifth episode of our captivating neuroscience series on building habits for effective learning. We delve into the fascinating process of habit formation within the brain. In this episode, our expert guest Jaan sheds light on how habits initially start as conscious actions controlled by the prefrontal cortex, and then gradually transition to the automatic, unconscious basal ganglia.

Discover the pivotal role of endocannabinoids, neurotransmitters that facilitate this shift by reducing activity in the prefrontal cortex and increasing it in the basal ganglia. Through repetition and the strengthening of neural connections, habits become deeply ingrained. Jaan shares practical insights for applying this knowledge to the real-world challenges of learning at work.

Learn how triggered action plans, rooted in specific events, can empower you to overcome old habits and embrace new behaviours. By harnessing the brain's natural reward system, these action plans provide a tangible sense of accomplishment, igniting a positive feedback loop of success and motivation. This episode unveils the secrets to building effective habits that transform your learning experience.

Don't miss out! Join us in the next episode for more enlightening discoveries.

In this last episode of Neuroscience for Learning, we explore the fascinating topic of how our brains are designed to forget, featuring expert Tina Harris. Discover why forgetting is actually crucial for our memory functions and how we can support and enhance our ability to remember. We delve into the role of the hippocampus, the conductor of memory in our brains, and learn how it sorts and processes information.

Uncover the power of emotions and sensory experiences in aiding memory retention and explore effective memory triggers like linking, novelty, and anchors such as mnemonics. Stories emerge as potent tools for memory, combining emotions, senses, and patterns. We also explore the significance of repetition and recall over recognition, understanding the importance of allowing neural pathways to strengthen through spaced repetition.

Tina provides practical strategies for designing learning programs that incorporate memory triggers and prevent forgetting. Uncover the secrets to overcoming the forgetting curve and ensuring optimal memory retention, even for less emotionally charged content like work-related information. Apply Tina's expert tips to support your memory and enhance your learning experience.

Watch this captivating episode of Neuroscience for Learning and unlock the key to remembering with ease.

AI is here, and it's changing the world. But what does that mean for L&D?

Donald Clark, the world-leading authority on AI in learning, joins Stella to shed light on the AI revolution we're living through.

Listen to this episode for fascinating insights, and practical steps L&D can take to use AI to boost productivity and the impact of learning.

Donald and Stella cover a lot of ground in this episode, including:

• How AI is transforming the L&D industry by improving performance and productivity
• How large language models, one type of AI, are used to personalise learning content and provide customised feedback
• Ways AI can also be used to identify skill gaps and provide targeted training
• The importance of accuracy in AI-powered learning
• What AI means for more effective and efficient learning.
• The ethical concerns surrounding AI

Tune in to learn more about the benefits and challenges of AI in learning and development.

Want to know more? Find out how AI drives productivity so that you can design training in ‘minutes, not months' with our platform.

Some other resources that you'll love: 

• Donald's Blog on AI in Africa.  
• Donald's book on Learning Technology
• Donald's book on AI for learning

In this episode of the Mind The Skills Gap podcast, we're thrilled to welcome the brilliant technical minds behind Stellar Labs, CTO Jan Pannecoeck and Nik Torfs, Full-stack Engineer/DevOps.

Together with Stella Collins, they make it easy to understand:

• How Stellar Labs practically employs AI to enhance customer experience
• The locations of Stellar Labs servers and how we comply with regulations like GDPR etc
• The programming languages and technologies that are the backbone of Stellar Labs, and how they contribute to our robustness and reliability
• Upcoming features that excite Nik & Jan

Listen to this episode to learn more about the technical side of Stellar Labs, and what sets it apart as a robust platform in the tech landscape.

Want to know more? Find out how Stellar Labs can revolutionise workplace learning, powered by AI and neuroscience with our platform and start your free trial.

Tune into the "Mind The Skills Gap" podcast for a focused discussion on the strategic use of artificial intelligence in enhancing workplace learning.

With Callum Clark, the brains behind Stellar Labs' AI, we're tearing down the complexities of AI and laying out the blueprint for its effective use in training.

Here's what you'll gain from the episode:

• Explore the AI Toolbox
• Stellar Labs vs. ChatGPT: A side-by-side comparison on functionality and impact
• Callum's Expert tip on how to leverage AI for maximum benefit
• Personal Insights: Callum shares his ultimate AI fascination
• Safeguarding Data with Stellar Labs: A look into how Stellar Labs ensures your training content and processes remain secure.

Whether you're deep in the tech world, a learning & development professional, or simply AI-curious, this episode is packed with insights, expert tips, and resources you won't want to miss!

RESOURCES:

Useful article
https://www.bcg.com/publications/2023/how-people-create-and-destroy-value-with-gen-ai

People to follow

Donald Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-clark-04553022/ - author of Artificial Intelligence for Learning

Beff Jezos https://twitter.com/BasedBeffJezos

Ethan Mollick https://www.linkedin.com/in/emollick/

Tune into this episode of the "Mind The Skills Gap" podcast for an insightful discussion on how Animal Care has selected and adopted Stellar Labs as their digital learning technology within a very fast-paced business environment.

This episode features host Stella Collins, and Cheryl Lawrence-Tarr and Ester Forcada, two Heads of Learning at Animal Care Group, who share their strategies for embedding effective learning within their organisation’s DNA.

What we cover in this episode:

• The critical importance of top-down advocacy in cultivating a learning culture in times of rapid organisational growth.
• Insights into the selection process for learning technology that supports a specialised, compact team.
• How Stellar Labs has facilitated and streamlined Animal Care Group’s training processes.
• Building an adaptable learning culture
• Adoption of new learning technologies

This episode is perfect  if you want to find out how to adopt new learning technology that elevates workforce development.

Do you want to learn more about what to look out for when choosing the right software for your company? Read our latest blog post here.

Interested to see the Stellar Labs platform in action? Start your free trial today.

In this episode, our host Stella Collins, co-founder and CLO at Stellar Labs, is joined by Bob Mosher, Chief Evangelist and co-founder at Apply Synergies. 

Both Stella and Bob share a passion for enhancing performance through effective learning experiences, inspired by their early encounters with Word and Excel courses 30 years ago.

Tune in as we connect "5 Moments of Need" and the GEAR methodology.

Important links:

• Bob Mosher LinkedIn
• Conrad Gottfredson LinkedIn
• 5 Moments of Need website

Interested to see the Stellar Labs platform in action? Book your demo request here

In this episode of Mind the Skill Gap, you'll discover how one of DATEV's innovation labs has been exploring the use of Stellar Labs platform AI resources and neuroscience for learning methodologies in their training process.

Our guests share the impact they've observed, the lessons learned along the way, and their approach to exploring new innovation opportunities within the company.

Curious about how Stellar Labs works? Request a demo in this link: https://www.stellarlabs.io/book-a-demo

Are you interested in how cutting-edge technology is transforming learning and development? In our latest podcast episode, we delve into how Sysdoc has leveraged the Stellar Labs platform to boost efficiency and innovation in learning processes.

Key Highlights:

• Innovative Implementation: Learn how Sysdoc integrated Stellar Labs with their clients to streamline learning journeys and achieve their goals.
• Efficiency Boost: Find out how the platform reduces design time, customizes content, and structures learning materials for maximum impact.
• Learning as a Service: Explore how Sysdoc is moving away from traditional training models to embrace a more flexible, sustainable approach.
• AI-Powered Pedagogy: Discover how Stellar Labs’ built-in pedagogy and AI capabilities offer a step forward compared to other tools, enhancing the learning experience.
• Internal Development: Hear about Sysdoc’s initiative, “How We AI,” where they use Stellar Labs to grow their own capabilities and build digital skills.
• Validation and Quality Assurance: Understand the importance of validating AI-generated content and maintaining high instructional standards.

Want to try Stellar Labs for yourself? Book a demo with us!

Will Ger Driesen invite you to dinner? 
Ger Driesen is a Thought Leader in Learning & Development. He’s addicted to Learning and works tirelessly with the L&D community to bring the profession to a higher level. He writes about trends in Learning & Development and speaks at international conferences on the future of learning. Ger is also Learning Innovation Leader at anewspring, a blended learning platform for learning providers. This gives him further insights into technology development including data analytics and artificial intelligence. Ger’s social connections extend far and wide and he appears to effortlessly achieve his own goal of ‘being successful by making others successful’. His support for the Brain Ladies has been fundamental in promoting a more scientific approach to the world of Learning and Development.

Chris Novak is Global Head of Threat Research at Verizon and a world acknowledged expert on cybersecurity.  His career of 20 plus years has given him insights and experience and a vast network of experts in the community.  His team leads hundreds of cybersecurity investigations annually and they are consistently rated as leaders in the marketplace.  Chris is passionate about cybersecurity and is hugely generous about sharing what he knows and in promoting training and education on the topic.  He even helped create a cybersecurity badge amongst the girl scouts in the USA.   At Stellar Labs we are hugely privileged that he’s on our advisory board for our Cyber Security programmes and we learn something valuable with every conversation we have with Chris.

David Kelly is a sought after speaker and writer on technology in learning and also Executive Vice President and Executive Director at The elearning Guild.  He’s huge experience of working in the elearning industry but doesn’t see it as the only tool for learning.  Dave is generous with his insights and knowledge and as well as being a recognised and valued speaker on the Learning and Development circuit he’s active in numerous digital conversations about learning.

Practical ideas to boost your business success!
Sharon Claffey Kaliouby is currently VP, North America at Learning Pool, a significant player in the field of digital learning. Sharon is a results-driven, performance consultant and works globally increasing revenue and business results.  She’s won numerous awards for learning in the world of Learning and Development including 2018 Learning Professional of the year.  She’s hugely approachable and enthusiastic, highly connected and is a strong advocate for raising the profile and status of women in learning.

Connie Bowman is an instructional designer and part-time Spanish teacher from Ohio, who has a real passion for learning design. Having been in the field for over thirty years, Connie’s love for learning is strong as ever, because as she says – there’s always something new to learn. Connie discusses her opinions on all things learning while speaking with Stella. Including her belief that the learning industry need to flip their mindset, focusing on problem-solving first.  

How to build a cyber security team and why you should do it?
Matthijs Nelissen is a cyber security expert through and through having specialized for more than 15 years.  He’s co-owner and senior security consultant at Cyber4Z, who are experts in the field of strategic and tactical design of cyber security, IT, Privacy and Blockchain technology. Matthijs’s strengths in communication mean he’s one of our Knowledge Partners leading some of our Cyber Security specialist programmes.  Matthijs is clear about the core values he applies towards his customers: hard work, open communication and fun.  We can definitely see all of those in action. 

Michael Ioffe is co-founder and CEO at Arist, the text message learning platform.  Michaels inspirational story began with a simple realisation; that digital learning was broken and ineffective.  So he created Arist to make learning personal and frictionless, one text message at a time. They started with a project teaching entrepreneurship to teenagers in Yemen, a conflict zone half a world away from them in the USA.  Michael has been selected to be one of the Learning Technologies 30under30.

How to build a learning culture?
Georgia Blundell is a Learning and Development co-ordinator at clothes retailer Seasalt. She talks to Stellar Labs about the privilege of being one of Learning Tech’s 30 under 30 group and the opportunity to meet learning experts and mentors early in her career. Georgia’s passion to build a learning culture, help people develop their self directed learning skills and improve the reputation of apprenticeships show she’s highly committed to L&D across the board. 

Nicola Whiting MBE, CSO Titania Ltd is an experienced Chief Strategy and Operations Officer specializing in cyber security software tools for 'every information security professional’.  She was recently awarded the Member of the British Empire in the UK for her services to business and diversity. She’s also a mentor on the UK CYber Diversity Group Board and talks to us today about the value of diversity to both cyber security businesses and people.  She will have you thinking differently about cyber security and the people who work there. 

Raf Martino is Cyber security consultant at Cyber4z and one of our expert trainers on the Stellar Labs‘ Cyber security: become an ethical hacker programme. He talks to Stellar Labs about how hackers exploit simple vulnerabilities in web applications – the tools most of us use every day. More importantly he describes some vital steps to take to secure these vulnerabilities to keep yourself and your organisation safe. We all have a role in preventing cyber crime but it can seem technical and daunting. Fortunately you don’t need to be a cyber security expert to listen to Raf because he explains so that everyone can take action.

Patrick Coomans describes himself as a long time entrepreneur, turned intrapreneur, then extrapreneur. His commentary on the world of technology and especially cyber security are insightful and inspirational. We invited him to share some of them in our Stellar Labs podcast and the conversation ranged widely. If you're a startup in any field then you need to hear what he says about building your business with cyber security in mind from the start. And if you've been thinking cyber security is only for techies then think again - there's a bright career opportunity for you whatever your skills.

Listen to our exclusive interview with Laura Overton, about her move to Tulser and how L&D is a driver for business value.

Will Thalheimer and Stella Collins define learning and its value to the organisation.

An interview with Julie Delham, a student who has discovered some essential new learning skills.

Why learning transfer shouldn't send a shiver down your spine and how Emma Weber has used AI to turn learning into action.

Team working – that is top of mind for Brent Kedzierski, Head of Learning Strategy and Innovation at Shell in Texas. He is passionate about the importance of team work in learning growth and joins Stella on our latest podcast to explore how team working, coupled with creating an environment of psychological safety, is paramount for effective learning experiences.

In our latest podcast, Stella is joined by Jocelyn Darbroudi, Chief Information Office at Securex. Jocelyn believes that success is about getting the right people on board to do the right things and achieving greater results for people, planet and prosperity. But to do that, we must first address the elephants in the room.

Stellar Labs Founder and CEO, Raf Seymus joins the podcast to talk about the CEO's role in preparing businesses for the future. Exploring the connection between future-proofing businesses and learning, Raf explains how effective, collaborative learning cultures are critical to business growth.

Can learning drive organisational growth? We believe it can. And so does James Hampton, Head of Development and Engagement at SeaSalt Cornwall. In this podcast James shares his experience with and research on how learning can impact organisational growth, boosting financial, human capital and social capital success.

Feedback or feedforward, empowerment or control, focus on skills or outcomes? All questions that Bruce Fechyr-Lippens, founder at Huapii, addresses in this podcast about shifts the C-suite need to make to futureproof their organisations.

Many of us have migrated to using digital technology during the pandemic but not everyone is seeing the benefits. Tina Harris, one of our Senior Learning Specialists tells us how and why she has become a digital fan. Take some top tips from Tina and you'll never look back.

Dr. Ina-Weinbaeur Heidel reveals some of the easy to implement key factors to make training more effective. Find out what you can do by listening to this podcast.