Skills-Based Learning Approaches

Turns out the saying needs an update: you can teach an old dog 🐕 new tricks, and you can teach a new dog old tricks, too! That’s how teams level up. I'm a huge fan of bi-directional learning. I was lucky to attend a very hands on session at the end of last year that Ronan ran on AI in the workplace. In 60 minutes, he showed us prompt frameworks, and inspired us all to think about sourcing automations, and how to turn intake notes into targeted outreach at scale. I walked out with two new ideas and a fresh lens on how our team can move faster. 🐶✨ At the start of this year, I want to flip it. I will sit down with Ronan to share some “old tricks”: stakeholder navigation, communicating risk, pushing back on fuzzy “urgent” requests, and driving with quality under pressure. Those fundamentals don’t go out of style; they compound. 🔁 This isn't the old dog just barking 🐶 it's back by data 📈 World Economic Forum research shows skills are shifting fast, continuous upskilling across all career stages is now a business imperative. ➡️ ⬅️ HBR highlights why reverse mentoring works! 🧠NIA confirms neuroplasticity persists throughout life—our brains can keep learning. Your turn: what’s one “new trick” you learned from someone junior, and one “old trick” you passed on? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear the best swaps from your teams. 👇 P.S. The sources for those that want to do more reading: - https://lnkd.in/dJwc-2Km - https://lnkd.in/d37vKGj8 - #TalentAcquisition #AIinHR #ReverseMentoring #Upskilling  #LearningAndDevelopment

Learning flourishes when students are exposed to a rich tapestry of strategies that activate different parts of the brain and heart. Beyond memorization and review, innovative approaches like peer teaching, role-playing, project-based learning, and multisensory exploration allow learners to engage deeply and authentically. For example, when students teach a concept to classmates, they strengthen their communication, metacognition, and confidence. Role-playing historical events or scientific processes builds empathy, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Project-based learning such as designing a community garden or creating a presentation fosters collaboration, creativity, and real-world application. Multisensory strategies like using manipulatives, visuals, movement, and sound especially benefit neurodiverse learners, enhancing retention, focus, and emotional connection to content. These methods don’t just improve academic outcomes they cultivate lifelong skills like adaptability, initiative, and resilience. When teachers intentionally layer strategies that match students’ strengths and needs, they create classrooms that are inclusive, dynamic, and deeply empowering. #LearningInEveryWay

🎯 How do we truly meet every learner where they are? In every classroom, we see it—the diversity of student mindsets. Some hesitate, some seek comfort, some push boundaries, and others are ready to soar. The real magic of teaching lies in recognizing these differences and responding intentionally. ✨ Differentiation isn’t just a strategy—it’s a mindset. Here’s a simple yet powerful way to think about it: 🔹 Hesitant Students These learners often struggle to take the first step. Instead of overwhelming them, we can lower the entry barrier. 👉 Use tools like dice games or guided choices to help them begin. 👉 Follow up with clear, structured, step-by-step examples. 💡 Small wins build confidence—and confidence fuels participation. 🔹 Comfort Seekers These students prefer predictability and clarity. They thrive when expectations are transparent. 👉 Provide checklists, rubrics, and modeled examples. 👉 Break tasks into manageable steps to reduce perceived risk. 💡 When students feel safe, they’re more willing to stretch beyond their comfort zone. 🔹 Outside-the-Box Thinkers These are your innovators—the ones who challenge norms and explore new directions. 👉 Offer them opportunities to research, inquire, and connect learning across subjects. 👉 Encourage creativity, alternative approaches, and independent thinking. 💡 When given freedom, they don’t just learn—they create. 🔹 Confident Students These learners are ready for more. Keeping them engaged requires meaningful challenge. 👉 Extend tasks with deeper thinking opportunities or skill-building challenges. 👉 Encourage leadership roles and peer mentoring. 💡 Growth happens when challenge meets readiness. 🌱 The takeaway? One-size-fits-all teaching misses the mark. But when we intentionally design learning experiences that respond to different mindsets, we create classrooms where every student feels seen, supported, and stretched. 💬 As educators, leaders, and lifelong learners— How are you differentiating for the diverse mindsets in your space? #Education #Differentiation #StudentCenteredLearning #TeachingStrategies #InclusiveClassrooms #LearningMindsets

How do people learn? “What the learner creates is what gets learned”…Let's not deliver PowerPoint presentations that people will read once and forget. “What's so perverse about the corporate educational model is it's not focused on people’s challenges” - Nick Shackleton-Jones “Creation is how we develop, apply, and retain new information and skills. It's imperative, and there's not really any way around it. Think about it, would you rather have surgery performed by a surgeon who had done the procedure 1000 times, or the one who'd never done it before but had watched 1000 hours of YouTube videos related to it?” - Steve Smith The challenge: “understanding the decreasing skills half-life” 👉🏿23% of jobs are expected to change by 2027, with 69 million new jobs created and 83 million eliminated (see Figure), 👉🏿44% of individual worker skills will need to be updated by 2027, 👉🏿 A World Economic Forum research in 2017 said that the half-life of a skill is about 5 years. By 2021, this number was estimated to be closer to 4 years. 👉🏿 The 2023 report states that Six in 10 workers will require training before 2027, but only half of workers are seen to have access to adequate training opportunities Possible Solutions: ✴️ Consider leveraging concepts like “action learning” and the science of “deliberate practice to accelerate skill acquisition. ✴️ Also considering identifying what are the most critical tasks in your organization that are essential to strategy execution and focus on the skills that are fundamental to enabling those tasks. *Action learning is a structured method that enables small groups to work regularly and collectively on complicated problems, take action, and learn as individuals and as a team while doing so. **Deliberate Practice: for more of a detailed breakdown on this topic see: the article The Making of an Expert by K. Anders Ericsson, Michael J. Prietula, and Edward T. Cokely. Acknowledgement: post inspired by a podcast interview between David James and Nick Shackleton-Jones. Data source: 4th edition of the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report #chro #chieflearningofficer #ceo #hrstrategy

“Differentiation sounds great… until you actually have to plan it.” In my previous post, I unpacked the confusion around L1, L2, L3 and how they connect with Bloom’s Taxonomy. But the real question I kept hearing was: 👉 “Okay… but HOW do I actually implement this in my classroom?” Here’s a simple, practical way to do it—without creating 3 different lesson plans. 👇 Step 1: Start with ONE clear objective Example: Students will understand and use adjectives Step 2: Design 3 tiered tasks (L1–L3) ◇ L1 (Remember & Understand) Identify adjectives in a sentence ◇ L2 (Apply & Analyze) Use adjectives to describe a picture ◇ L3 (Create & Extend) Write a short descriptive paragraph Step 3: Teach ONCE. Differentiate TASKS. ✔ Whole-class concept explanation ✔ Then give level-based tasks ✔ Let students move flexibly (not fixed labels) Step 4: Add SIMPLE classroom strategies ✅ Flexible grouping – Pair or group based on readiness ✅ Choice – Write / speak / draw ✅ Teacher movement – Support L1, stretch L3 ✅ Peer learning – Let students learn from each other Step 5: Close with a quick check Exit ticket: “Write one sentence using an adjective.” And that’s it. No extra lesson plans. No overwhelming planning. Just one lesson… designed with multiple pathways. Because differentiation isn’t about doing more— It’s about doing it smarter. And when done right, L1, L2, L3 stop being confusing labels… and become a clear roadmap for every child’s progress. #DifferentiatedInstruction #BloomsTaxonomy #PrimaryEnglish #StudentCentredLearning #TeachingStrategies #InclusiveEducation #CurriculumDesign

Essentials of an Effective Lesson A lesson where learners are meaningfully engaged—through exploration, dialogue, reflection, trial and error, feedback, and feeling seen—hinges on more than just plans; it's about how the lesson unfolds. 2. Foundations: Planning & Preparing for Impact Ground your lesson in clear learning objectives and aligned strategies, aligning with standards and curriculum. Use material to scaffold — especially in their Zone of Proximal Development, where they can succeed with guidance. 3. Sparking Engagement & Motivation Motivation via ARCS Model (Keller) a. Attention: Use transitions, hooks, wonder, and inquiry to capture interest; use gamified elements when appropriate. b. Relevance: Connect lessons to students’ lives to boost motivation. c. Confidence & Satisfaction: Enable success through appropriate challenges, feedback, and choice—cultivating confidence. d. Self-Determination Theory (SDT) Even in less interesting tasks, providing a clear rationale increases engagement, “work ethic,” and learning. 4. Learning By Doing Incorporate Experiential Learning (Kolb) cycle: 1. Concrete experience (hands-on activity), 2. Reflective observation, 3. Abstract conceptualization, 4. Active experimentation—allowing students to apply learning in new contexts. Discovery Learning (Bruner) Encourage student exploration with guided tasks and feedback; teachers must assist to avoid confusion and provide clarity. 5. Collaborative, Peer & Social Learning - Constructivism Rooted in Dewey and Vygotsky: learning emerges through social interaction, active construction of knowledge; tasks should encourage peer dialogue and explanation. Students’ connections with each other predict academic performance. A collaborative environment builds engagement and supports learning outcome. 6. Differentiation & Inclusivity Adapt content, process, and teaching strategies to learners at different readiness levels—ensuring all can access objectives while maintaining rigor. 7. Practice, Feedback, Reflection - Guided & Independent Practice After modeling, allow students extensive independent practice to build fluency and free working memory for deeper thinking. Feedback & Reflection Incorporate quiet time for thinking. Use probing questions and give wait time after questions to deepen thinking and self-evaluation. Assessment for Learning Use varied formative assessments; prompt students to reflect on progress and use feedback to self-improve. 8. Real-life Relevance & Beyond the Classroom Link content to real-world problems to boost relevance, motivation, and long-term retention. 9. Time & Flow Management Manage transitions smoothly, allocate wait time, balance group tasks and individual work—ensuring intelligibility while keeping students engaged. 10. Embrace Evidence-Based Pedagogy Leverage empirical strategies—planning, delivery, feedback, engagement—are proven to positively impact student outcomes.

I, recently, was involved with the AfDB’s #YEIB project in Ethiopia, & in one of the session focused on the #Ethiopian market, a powerful question was raised: How do we ignite an innovative culture within our MSMEs? The question was not about just survival, rather about equipping them with the skill sets to consistently generate new ideas, adapt, & truly compete. We're talking about a transformation, moving to sustainable growth by embracing digital tools, data analytics, & collaborative ecosystems. Ultimately helping them build resilience, & create massive value in a dynamic market like Ethiopia, making MSMEs irresistible to investors, effectively de-risking their future.   That question sent me on a deep search. I knew the answer wasn't waiting for some mystical spark or a stroke of '#innate_genius.' The real secret to #breakthrough_innovation lies in cultivating learnable behavior, what the experts have powerfully defined as #Innovation_DNA.   Research Indicates…   A rigorous Harvard Business Review (HBR) research into the world's most successful entrepreneurial executives cracked the code. They identified five-key '#discovery_skills' that fundamentally distinguish the world's top innovators.   The Exciting Part…   They were NOT #innate_traits, but powerful behaviors one can practice, master, & embed into one’s daily life. This is the pragmatic, exciting path to innovation for all of us!   The five '#discovery_skills' :   1.#Associating - The Innovator's Superpower. This is the ability to connect the unconnected, synthesizing novel inputs from wildly different fields to find breakthroughs at the intersection of diverse disciplines.   2.#Questioning - The Engine of Change. Innovators challenge the status quo with a passion for inquiry, constantly asking the critical questions: "Why?" & "What if?"   3.#Observing - The Art of Seeing. While others merely look, innovators watch customers, products, & environments with a forensic eye to gain deep, non-obvious insights.   4.#Networking - For Idea Leads, Not Job Leads. Innovators actively seek out & test ideas through a diverse network of individuals with wildly varying backgrounds, using their connections to fuel discovery.   5.#Experimenting - The Commitment to Action. This is where the rubber meets the road. Innovators explore the world intellectually & experientially, constantly trying new experiences, piloting new ideas, & testing hypotheses, unafraid to fail small & fast. This is the inspiring truth of innovation! It’s a muscle anyone can exercise to bulk-up, and not a gift or blessing to pray for. By deliberately practicing the aforementioned #discovery_skills, we can all systematically de-risk the future. We can transform the desire for innovation into a tangible, repeatable process for an entire culture.   Let's stop waiting for the next genius to appear & start building the next generation of innovators, one learned behavior at a time. Now, it's your turn to innovate! Adwa Partners, PLC

Active Learning Strategies Active learning transforms students from passive listeners into active participants who question, apply, and connect their learning to real-world contexts. By engaging in doing, discussing, and creating, students retain knowledge more deeply, develop critical thinking and confidence, and see the relevance of what they learn. Collaboration with peers further builds empathy, teamwork, and essential lifelong skills beyond the classroom. The following strategies offer practical ways to bring these principles to life and help students actively engage with their learning. 💎 Students can have 2 minutes to prepare and gather their thoughts individually, then discuss in pairs for 10 minutes, before sharing perspectives with the class and having a class discussion. 💎 Students can have various roles to bring pro/con, or stakeholder perspectives to spark critical engagement. 💎 Students can be the “summarizer,” the “challenger,” or the “connector” (linking ideas to previous content), when it comes to group discussion. 💎 Students get a chance of extending conversations outside class by uploading their short 2-3 minute video reflection in the discussion forum. The video can include 3-5 key points or quotations from the resources that you brought to class, together with student reacting to them. 💎 Students present realistic scenarios and to solve or analyze them. 💎 Students act out decision-making situations (e.g., business negotiation, patient care, policy debate). 💎 After a mini-lecture, students get a 5-minute challenge where they can apply the concept to an example. 💎 Students create something tangible (a business plan, a design prototype, a policy brief) that has the key takeaways of the concept you taught. 💎 Students take short, low-stakes quizzes in groups where they remember and apply knowledge. 💎 Students individually or in a group teach a concept to the class and bring resources to support understanding. 💎 Each group learns one part of the content, then teaches it to others as a Jigsaw activity. 💎 Students make short videos, explainers, or infographics for presenting their findings to their peers. 💎 Students review each other’s work and provide constructive feedback, reinforcing their own understanding. What are some of the strategies that worked for your students?😊 #ActiveLearning #TeachingStrategies #StudentEngagement #DeepLearning #CriticalThinking #CollaborativeLearning #HigherEducation #InnovativeTeaching #LearningDesign #Pedagogy #EducationTransformation #LifelongLearning

Using AI as a thinking partner is a skill that never becomes obsolete Start with these 8 Claude prompts: 1. Socratic Drillmaster "Act as a Socratic coach for [TOPIC]. Do NOT give me answers. Only ask smart questions that lead me to the answer. Start by asking what I already know and where I'm confused. After each reply, ask the next best question. At the end, summarize what I discovered in 5 bullets." 2. Mixed Practice Architect "Build an interleaved practice session for [SKILL/SUBJECT] inside [TOPIC]. Mix related concepts instead of studying one at a time. Give me a 30–45 min plan + 12–15 mixed drills + answer key + a review loop for mistakes. Ask my current level first." 3. Why-How Interrogator "Be my elaboration coach for [TOPIC]. Every time I say a fact, hit me with: -Why is it true? -How does it work? -What would break it? Keep pushing until my explanation is rock-solid. Then summarize my final understanding." 4. Mental Model Forge "Act as my mental model builder for [TOPIC] in [DOMAIN]. Identify the core principles, patterns, and relationships. Start by asking what frameworks I already know. Then build a simple model map (principles → rules → examples). Finish with 5 test questions to verify I actually understand it." 5. Meta-Learning Coach "Be my learning strategy coach while I study [TOPIC]. Every few minutes, ask: -What strategy am I using? -What's confusing? -What's working/not working? Then recommend a better approach and adjust the plan." 6. Analogy Bridge Tutor "Teach me [TOPIC] using analogies. First ask what I understand well (business, sports, gaming, coding, daily life). Then explain each concept with 2–3 analogies and map them clearly. End with a short quiz using the analogies to confirm I get it." 7. Simplified Learning Strategist "Serve as my Simplified Learning Strategist for [TOPIC]. Break down this complex idea into easy-to-understand language, suitable for a 12-year-old. Start with the core concept, highlight the main components, use analogies or examples, and guide me step by step to full understanding." 8. Progressive Recall Mentor "Step into the role of my Progressive Recall Mentor for [SUBJECT]. Instead of giving direct answers, design a step-by-step questioning system. Begin with basic recall questions about [TOPIC], then gradually move to application, analysis, and deeper reasoning questions to strengthen understanding." –––––– Hi! I'm Frank. I explore all things AI, so you can skip to what's useful Follow me for more AI you can actually use ♻️ Repost this if you learned something new

Becoming an expert isn't about knowing everything. It's about mastering the art of learning. ⬇️ I've spent years studying how people become masters in their fields. The secret? It's not talent. It's not luck. It's a set of powerful habits anyone can adopt. These habits include techniques like: • Feynman Technique: Explain complex ideas simply • T-shaped knowledge: Learn broadly, then dive deep • 20-hour rule: Practice deliberately for rapid skill acquisition • Pareto Principle: Focus on the vital few that yield the most results The real power comes from combining these methods: 1. Start with fundamentals, then specialize 2. Break down barriers to understanding 3. Identify the 20% that gives 80% of impact 4. Set clear goals and seek immediate feedback 5. Push just beyond your comfort zone Embrace the learn-do-teach cycle: • Study a concept • Apply it immediately • Explain it to others This cements your understanding like nothing else. Most importantly, cultivate a growth mindset: • See challenges as opportunities • Learn from setbacks and criticism • View effort as the path to mastery Remember: Expertise is a journey, not a destination. It's about continuous growth and adaptation. Understanding key principles and applying them creatively is key. The path to expertise may seem daunting. But with these strategies, you can accelerate your progress dramatically. What skill are you mastering? Thanks for reading! If you found this valuable: • Repost for your network ♻️ • Follow me for more deep dives • Join our 300K+ community https://lnkd.in/eDYX4v_9 for more on the future of API, AI, and tech The future is connected. Become a part of it. #ContinuousLearning #ExpertiseMindset #DeliberatePractice