That Learning Dude Rises, Batman Style

That Learning Dude Rises

Hugely anticipated and it never let me down. I had waited so long for the arrival of the Dark Knight Rises I was beginning to worry that it would be somewhat of an anti-climax but how wrong I was. A compelling storyline, that delivered interest scene after scene after scene. It's funny how we sometimes build ourselves up when it comes to learning too. Learning is much valued as much as it is under rated. It is hugely anticipated and then sometimes fails to deliver. So how can something so great sometimes go spectacularly wrong? Perhaps the simple answer is because at times there is not enough bravery in taking risks, or quite simply it lacks the characters..........so lets add some of them.

Learning starts with a hero, somebody that wants to do good for others. To do this they have to go underground, get behind what the customer really wants and if required challenge the establishment. If all is good and the learning has been achieved they sometimes receive little praise, not that what they have done is not welcomed, just that the sense of accomplishment lies not with the hero but the person who has actively been involved in the learning process. The hero of course is continually learning and that is why they keep doing what they do. 

Learning needs a joker or something to inject a bit of fun into the proceedings, sure there is a dark side to the Joker especially when you are faced with them in workshops, seminars or forums etc but by embracing their chaotic sense of enthusiasm you can capture something which will light the fires of engagement. You have to draw people into what you are doing, get them to drive the learning and most of all not be so serious.

"What is always on its way but never arrives?"..........."Tomorrow"

Learning needs a challenge and  plenty of food for thought. Where possible the learning should set tasks that make people think and reflect. If in the classroom make it experiential, if eBased then drop in assessments, surveys and gamification. 

Riddle me this, riddle me that, why is an orange like a bell? They both need peeled !!!! Make a lot of noise about Learning, let them know the purpose, benefits and results it can bring.

Learning.......like Bane should be powerful and provide strength to the learning experience. Sometimes you could say it is good to have a little fear built in, that charges the atmosphere and creates challenge and competition. If you look at the Dark Knight Rises both Bane and Batman actually have a similar sense of vengeance and whilst I am not suggesting this is good for learning, the fact that both share a common goal is a great example of how we should look for shared purpose with the learner, help to build rapport and set the expectations of support throughout the session or situation.

Dressing to impress as Bane is probably a little scary too, use it wisely.

Now what we are really looking to achieve is for the Learning to spread, not too quickly as this can be lost in translation but like Ivy (not poison) to creep along and build momentum. You want the learning to slow burn, provide things in little branches, build your learning in such a way that people can pick up like pollen and drop in different areas to grow and develop in new and exciting ways. 

There is one last character I think our learning needs.  We all need an Alfred, someone who can stand over us and offer us support. A champion who can sponsor the learning and make us believe that what we are doing is the right thing and most of all the person who can deliver a tough message and let us know pure honest feedback which can help us develop and grow. Mentors come and go but an Alfred will never leave you.


That Learning Dude @LearningXDude