Emotion & Designing Learning

In a recent article from the Learning Solutions magazine Paul Clothier interviews Carmen Taran (author of Better Beginnings) who talks about Edge and Emotion: What e-Learning Programs Are Missing. It's an easy read and interesting article. What struck me was the following quote from Carmen:

Too often designers do not have “chemistry” with the content. You have to feel something for what you arrange in pixels. Creating content that has edge and emotion is a bit like falling in love....At least some of the content needs to be part of you.

YES! YES! YES! You have to know & care about what you're trying to help people learn. I am reminded of work we did for a client around selling (back when I had a job, which I just resigned from today, on good terms, resolving a long leave of absence.) During one of the discovery interviews, one of the client's senior people said "you have to have a passion for your client's business, or else how can you excel at your work day after day?"

So yes, when we design learning, we have to have passion for what we are trying get people to understand, or else how do we expect people to learn about it? That means digging into the content, understanding the nuances of how you learn about it.

To play devil's advocate - what about SME's (subject matter experts)? Isn't that their role, to understand and be passionate about the content?

I am reminded of what John Bransford wrote about great teachers -- "effective teachers need pedagogical content knowledge (knowledge about how to teach in particular disciplines) rather than only knowledge of a particular subject matter." Their knowledge of how to teach interacts with their knowledge of the discipline, allowing them to understand what and how their students need to learn in that particular content area. "Expert teachers know the structure of their disciplines." Being an expert teacher in a discipline is not the same as being an expert or SME in that discipline. Yes, you have to know something about what you're teaching about, you have to be knowledgeable about the structure of the discipline, and you have to understand what will help people learn in this subject area.

It's true that corporate learning is not the same as teaching in schools, however, I would argue that the business of our organizations is the discipline. If I'm not passionate about finance and understanding how the world of money works, then what am I doing here? If I am not passionate about adult learning, then why do I write this blog everyday?

Is it possible to create effective learning if you don't care about the content of what you designing?

Distracted in Canada

Flew up visit family in Surrey (south of Vancouver, BC, Canada) to get away from the renovations and to focus on writing some mini-cases for cash flow. Haven't picked up a book or posted since I left on Monday.

My plan was to work mornings and play afternoons. That's not working. It's hard to carve out time to work at all when you visit family. I was hoping for cold rain everyday, instead it's sunny.

I value the time spent in New York more than ever -- how valuable it was to have the gift to just focus on work, school and my relationship (on weekends) and not be distracted by other things. That's what I've wanted all my life and keep searching for: time spent silent, alone, uninterrupted. When I'm with others, especially when I visit here, I can't do that. It's not the way of my people -- it's not the way of me. So instead, I have to physically shut out the world by working late at night (as I am doing tonight and did when an undergrad) or physically distancing myself from distractions.

All this time I thought I needed the physical distance & silence to concentrate. I realize now that I need it in order to emotionally disengage from the world around me. To shut out the emotional need I hear from the people around me, to shut out noise that keeps pulling me away, to turn off the monkey brain, the chatter in the head. I've never been able to grow a thicker skin, so instead I create buffer zones.

Too much awareness, and not enough attention?

A Time for Telling: ID with Contrasting Cases

Daniel Schwartz & John Bransford wrote an article in 1998 called A Time for Telling. In this article they "propose that analyzing contrasting cases can help learners generate the differentiated knowledge structures that enable them to understand a text deeply. Noticing the distinctions between contrasting cases creates a 'time for telling'; learners are prepared to be told the significance of the distinctions they have discovered."[1]

Schwartz went on with others to more fully develop this instructional design model into having groups of learners looking at a series of "tightly focused contrasting cases"; after each case the learners would create a model to explain the concept that was being taught. The different cases emphasized different aspects of a concept, forcing learners to adjust their models. As a class, they would compare models, and then receive a lecture about the concept they had just learned. Because they grappled with the material & concept on their own first, they were able to more deeply integrate the lecture with what they had just learned. This works well with novel concepts and knowledge domains.

In my first semester in graduate school we had to design instruction and we used a variation on the above model. We were teaching people how to use the subway system in New York City. The course consisted of a classroom portion and a experiential or video portion. In the classroom portion we had learners investigate and navigate "cases" of increasing complexity (using one subway line only, using the express, using multiple lines) in order to have them build their own mental model of the subway system. The experiential or video portion was designed to provide a mini-lecture on using on using the system, and to familiarize people with the affective part of riding the subway (noise, signage, using the machines, etc.) We actually tested out our design on a few people with pretty good results: the 2-3 actual novices we got felt less intimidated in using the system. They actually used the express first time out! (Note: it was challenging to find "novice" subway riders in NYC.)

Learning about the concept of contrasting cases, the thinking and research behind it, put a whole new perspective on instructional design. Up until then, I was familiar only with the ADDIE (Analyze, Design, Develop, Implment & Evaluate) model, and then only tangentially so. Schwartz & Bransford's research was easier to implement and more effective than the ADDIE model. The ADDIE model to me is too abstract. It is not concrete enough. It's not USEFUL enough. One should call it the ADDIE model because you progressively run out of energy, time and resources as you try to go through all the steps.

One of the cores of effective instruction is effective methods. Some people might characterize the research of Schwartz & Bransford as a method, but I think it is much more than that. It is about how we build knowledge by seeing differences, and how we create the courage to use that knowledge. It increases the probability of success -- isn't that we try to do when we design instruction? Prescribe how to design so we can increase the probability of success of our learners? (that's from Reigeluth, What is ID?)

Schwartz and Bransford's instructional design model invigorated me -- it gave me hope that I too, could design.

[1] Schwartz, Daniel L. and Bransford, John D. (1998) A Time for Telling. Cognition and Instruction. Vol. 16, No. 4, pp. 475-522.

What's this Master's about, anyways?

Money falling from heaven?
There's a voice inside my head that keeps saying "Just do it!" (You can see him below, as a simple Flash animation sequence) He's right, it's time to answer the question...

My interest is in the intersection of games, business and education. Specifically, learning about accounting and finance, in particular cash flow. The big idea: design a game that demonstrates cash flow as a system, in particular a plumbing system. Yes, it's Joe the Plumber meets the cash flow of a company. Quick Joe, fix it! Before we run out of water! Sorry, a bit of a digression.

To gather my thoughts I created the slide presentation below to talk about my design process, how I came up with this idea, and why.

As I doing this, I realized a fundamental flaw in process. I started with the technology instead of the learning objectives. I jumped to the conclusion that I needed to create a game, and therefore I need to learn Flash to create this game. And therefore I need to learn Actionscript, right? As I was explaining this I realized I am making this very complicated.

This learning Flash soup-to-nuts...well, I'll never get my Masters done if I go down that rabbit hole. This is the constant struggle with this work, there's always another paper I feel I need to read, another technology that I need to learn. Yes, I want to do it all, but do I have to do it all right now? Is there an easier way to achieve the learning objectives that I want, create a game, but not necessarily one that is so dependent on learning Flash Actionscript 3. Time to take a step back and examine this from another perspective.

About the Flash files: Money Falling from Heaven: is modified version of the Animated Object exercise that I got from Gary Rosenzweig's Game Programming University. The 3 flash files in this post are respectively 2k ($ falling, actionscript only), 9k (animated flash), and 118k (slide show in flash - not the best use of the medium).

Structured Procrastination & Getting Help

Here - this is why I am doing this blog...it's a form of structured procrastination (thanks mikeB for reminding me of procrastination in your comments. Also wanted to expand on "how a friend helped me."

Structured Procrastination
"The brainchild of Stanford University philosophy professor John Perry, structured procrastination involves doing small, low-priority tasks to build a sense of accomplishment and the energy to tackle more important jobs. Mr. Perry, a chronic procrastinator, suggests followers choose an important task, but defer work on it while tackling others. 'Don't be ashamed of self-manipulation,' he says." (quoted from WSJ article "How to Put Off Work--Constructively") Click above for his web site (yet another form of procrastination?)

Just so you know, I've been energized by doing this blog. I'm putting together ideas that have been floating around in my head, doing a PPT as a beginning of an outline (yes, I know, but for some reason, it's easier to organize my thoughts on PPT... a form of indoctrination perhaps?)

Helped by a friend One of the things that helped me get out of my rut was a friend who needed someone to practice her coaching on. I volunteered. We talked for a mere half-hour about identity, resistance (just touching on those subjects.) Then we made a plan together. Having someone to talk to about my masters helped break it down into manageable chunks. She's a great coach and I'm happy to recommend her. Just let me know. Thanks V.

Thanks for all the comments and support. It helps to know you're reading -- keep me accountable!

p.s. I think I will get the structured procrastinator t-shirt, later.

Months 2-7 (Mar-Sep '08) - an audit

I feel that I need to do some accounting for myself -- accounting and audit being appropriate words for what my masters is about (I'll get to it soon, promise.) What have I been doing for the past 7 months?

Mar - Taking online cognition & learning course from TC. Paper due this month. More catching up on sleep. Started reading The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge.
Apr - Renovations begins on the house. I leave for Vancouver to visit my family for 3 weeks and get away from the demolition. First time in 11 years that I've spent more than a week with them. (Parents got a new dog - Lucy!) Return at end of month. Coursework continues.

May - Family visits for a week. Term paper due. Finished course.
Jun - Mom has a sudden "opportunity" for knee replacement surgery. Back to Vancouver for 2 wks to help. Ended up dealing with own medical stuff when I returned (end of the fiscal year!) Finished reading the Fifth Discipline.
Jul - Work on the concept for the educational game design. Subject area: Accounting/Finance - read 2 books on Financial Accounting. Return visit to Vanc. mid-month to check on mom and make blueberry jam. Have to deal with fixing up house in NC which is starting to have problems after a year on the market.
Aug - Brother's family visits for first wk in August. Play tourist for a week. Read book on Cash Flow and flesh out game design. Broke tooth - no dental. Dealing with that. NC house stuff continues.
Sep - The moment of truth. To do what I want to do, I have to learn Flash - Actionscript. I have resisted being defined as a programmer, and thus learning programming because I wanted to be known as a designer. But since I've decided I'm working at the intersection of games, learning and business -- guess what? I'd better get over that identity crisis fast. A friend helps me figure out a way to be accountable for myself and others for getting my Masters done. I start reading Colin Moock - Actionscript 3 book.

I don't know how I managed to go to take 3 graduate courses a semester and hold down a job 4+ days a week for the 18 months before moving to the Bay Area. I can't imagine doing that again.

Time flies when your catching up on your unlived life.

Month 1: Waking up in Paradise

(this was originally written as an email to friends Feb. 27, 2008)

Hey there.

It has been precisely one month since I left New York. One month. What you might ask, have I been doing with my time? It's a question I ask myself often, as the days have passed by, with no boundaries, no pressures. Well, I'm happy to report that my productivity have plummeted to an all time low, some days so low that it barely registers.

You see, I've had a month of Saturdays.

Not Sundays, Saturdays. Saturdays are the days when the weekend is still fresh and new, and you have a whole 2 days to get things done -- you know, all those things you didn't get done during the week cause you were working too hard. Organizing, sorting, cleaning and dreaming. Yes, dreaming. Saturdays, particularly Saturday mornings are the day that I dream. I've been catching up.

But first I had to sleep for 10 days, which was good since it rained. Did anyone tell you about the damp Northern Californian rain? And about how Californians don't heat their homes above 65 degrees? My husband is officially a Californian now because he kept insisting it perfectly fine.

I was a helluva lot warmer in New York cause at least New Yorkers have heat indoors (be grateful people!) Here I hovered on the edge of almost freezing for weeks. Everyone kept telling me I'd get used to it -- liars. I was very happy when my New York apartment stuff arrived with my woolen sweaters. Now, I'm warm.

So I slept, then I did those things you have do when you move: figuring out where things are, what things are, and what you need to do. And then, I got my drivers license. This is when I became a true Californian. No, it wasn't the 3 hours I spent at the DMV. Not it wasn't the thrill of getting my CA driver's license in the mail with my weight printed (imagine my surprise!)

I became a true Californian the day I went to get my driver's license -- and got a flat tire on 101.

So for those of you who don't know -- 101 is a completely hellish highway. Many narrow lanes, people either driving too fast or too slow. And then there is the debris. 101 is full of random debris. In my case, it was a complete tire and wheel rim in the middle of my lane. The car in front swerved, I tried to do the same, glanced in my mirrors, saw a truck in the other lane, decided to cut my swerve, hit the tire, got a flat. Welcome to CA.

While on the side of the 101 calling OnStar, the CHP (yes, chips!) arrived within 10 minutes. There were a total of 4 cars including myself sidelined by the damn tire. CHP escorted me off the highway as they were very concerned about my safety -- people on the side of the road often get hit from behind. I took their advice. (Yes I drove on my flat, didn't destroy my rims though.)

I didn't file a report, which ended up being a good because since the tire wasn't moving, apparently it would be my fault for hitting it, according to the officer. Please note that for future reference. If you're every asked, either the debris was moving or you can't remember. Thank you for the heads up CHPs.

And yes, the CHP officers were cute. Not like Erik Estrada though (if you have to ask, you're too young or you slept during your youth.)

Things are settling into a rhythm for now. I sit in the morning sun, reading, drinking tea, and trying to focus on completing the degree, which is hard to do when there are not demarcations in your day. But things are starting to happen.

A graduate school friend from NY came to visit during the Game Developers Conference last week and we went GDC-party-hopping in SanFran. She helped me remember the "why" of the degree.

We finally have a contractor now and the house renovations should begin once the rains have stopped. Life will get unsettled soon.

My mother is thrilled that I'm on the west coast and calls me everyday to ask about the weather, whether I've eaten and what my husband is up to. I'm usually drinking tea when she calls. Husband is hard at work on his next project -- details to remain undisclosed for now.

I miss New York sometimes (not the subway, my throat is *finally* back to normal.) It takes energy to get to New York and to stay living New York. You gotta keep moving to do that, and New Yorkers are full of zestful, frenzied energy. The energy of CA is different, more optimistic. It's about dreaming outwards. And here, the energy, the money and “can do it” attitude exists to make dreams happen. Durham, I miss less, but I haven't lived there in a while so it's that much further away. And no, haven't sold the house yet -- we're ever hopeful.

So I'm awake now and it feels good. I'm sending a few pics to help you imagine this laid-back life. We should all get a month of Saturdays at some point in our working lives.

I hope that you are all well, and I miss you. I shall write again, maybe in a month.

cheers,
..rani