Mind the Skills Gap

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.

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/

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.

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.

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 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 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 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 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.

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