The Learning Geeks Podcast

Providing our learners with more practice opportunities is always a good thing, but when do certain situations require more serious engagement versus a playful one? The Learning Geeks kick off the show discussing this topic after Bob shares a recent discover when moving from a more classic role play simulation, to one that is more game-based. To close the show, Dana introduces the concept of Essen...

The Geeks are finished with their Summer breaks and crazy travel schedules to officially kickoff Season 2 of the Learning Geeks podcast. The guys recap their summer tales, share what they’ve been learning, and explain why the best educators can appear when you least expect it. We look forward to a fun season and can’t wait to enjoy the learning geekiness with you all. CONNECT WITH US If you have a...

Summer is here and our PTO and traveling schedules have made us take a summer break. However, the Geeks got together from all over the galaxy, to record a special episode to talk about Learning Experience Design. Bob is vacationing in Batuu and is sharing the planet's secret on how to immerse your guests taking advantage of our senses, imaginations, and emotions. So many lessons we can learn as le...

All of us in the learning and education profession are asked to innovate, but this can take time, requires support, and doesn’t always have a clear path. So when we’re asked to innovate, how do we do it? The Learning Geeks try to tackle these questions and share tips, successes, and failures that we can all learn from to create the future of learning. If you have any feedback or want to join in on...

Before Dana heads off to ATD International Conference, the Learning Geeks dedicate another episode workshopping a new design challenge - how do we better articulate the learner experience to our stakeholders and sponsors? The Geeks discuss journey design, mapping, energy, and even the hero’s journey. Also, If you’re at ATD ICE, stop by and say hello to Dana. He will be presenting Wednesday at the...

The Learning Geeks decide to dedicate the entire episode to a very popular learning principle – Spaced Learning. It’s never easy and always a topic of debate and discussion, so Bob shares a current learning challenge and the Geeks discuss how to possibly solve it. They also discuss what space really means, why it’s important, and why it could influence the future of learning professionals. If you...

With so much to share in the Star Wars world, the Geeks stick around for their special segment to discuss everything Star Wars. Bob and Jake completed a two week Star Wars celebration that included a Star Wars themed 5K and Half Marathon, a road trip, and a long weekend full of surprises and announcements. Thoughts and views are our own. Find us at www.learninggeekspod.com . Audio Credit: "Seagull...

The Learning Geeks have a smorgasbord of topics on today’s episode. Jake kicks it off discussing why our brains battle between unconscious and conscious learning. Dana has another flight adventure and shares how it’s possible to teach a simple technique to learn a complex skill. And Bob shares his recent experience with a popular MOOC and tries to discover the secret sauce and what we can learn fr...

The Learning Geeks are back and kick off the show discussing why Dana’s recent flight experience led him to discover new connections with immersive learning. Bob shares an update on his learning goals and why building a habit full of practice, immersion, and contextual learning has become so critical to his success. We close the show by sharing some big life news from one of the geeks – but from w...

Dana kicks off the show by sharing his love of questions, so the Geeks discuss why falling in love with the question can lead to better design, learning, and teaching. Jake shares a video tip and explains why focusing on sharing stories vs. sharing memories can dramatically improve your video game. Jake then previews ATD’s Techknowledge 2019 Conference. The Geeks also pay tribute to a major advoca...

The Learning Geeks are back and kickoff 2019! We learn that Bob’s most influential teacher shared a surprise response which sparks a great discussion on the importance of not only creating the environment to learn, but having the desire to learn. Dana then shares his favorite Christmas gift and Bob gives a progress update on his learning resolution. The Geeks close the show talking about a new con...

Join the Learning Geeks once again as they wrap up 2018. Jake shares his ‘Ode to the Teacher’, the geeks reflect on their most inspirational teachers, and they close year by looking ahead at their 2019 learning resolutions. Oh, and Bob gives us a quick review of the new Mary Poppins movie, and Jake tells us why Elf on the Shelf gives him nightmares. Check us out at https://www.learninggeekspod.com...

Join the Learning Geeks as they (finally) welcome Allison Horn, Global Lead for Learning at Accenture and patron saint of the Geeks, to the studio. Hear what Allison likes about our field right now, what she’s looking forward to in the future, and exactly how she got to where she is today. Check us out at https://www.learninggeekspod.com/ . Check out the Learning to Learn Coursera Course - https:/...

The Learning Geeks sit around the campfire to tell the classic tale of the Scandinavian warship – the Vasa – and why an almost 400-year-old ship has a valuable lesson to be learned. Later, Bob brings the funeral music back and lays to rest a classic learning activity that too often results with head scratching. Check us out at https://www.learninggeekspod.com/ . Check out the Vasa Museum - https:/...

The Learning Geeks are back at home and joined by the Learning Geekette (Michelle Voytko) to discuss what we walked away with following our time at Learning 2018. This is a great run-down of some key learnings and we hope you can learn from them too. And considering it’s Thanksgiving week in the U.S., what better way to close the show then to share something we’re all thankful for. Check us out at...

Live from Elliott Masie’s Learning 2018 conference, the Learning Geeks are joined by the Learning Geekette (Michelle Voytko) for a pre-conference run-down. We’ll share a preview of what we’re presenting at the conference, plus some tips for making the most of the experience. Even if you can’t make it to the conference this year, you’ll get some great snippets of some of our latest work! Thoughts a...

The Geeks stick around following Episode 07 to talk Star Wars, and why not, we have Tad Leckman in studio with us! Tad shares how his R2-D2 model became a star, Bob shares what Immersion was to him growing up and compares it to modern day versions including Disney (Galaxy's Edge) and The Void (Secret's of the Empire VR). Thoughts and views are our own. Audio Credit: "Seagulls Stop it Now" by Bad L...

In today’s episode, the Geeks are joined by Tad Leckman, artist, designer, and educator for the entertainment world. Tad shares an on-the-job learning experience while learning 3D modeling at Industrial Light and Magic. That eventually led him to found the Jedi Master's program for LucasFilm Animation in Singapore, an apprenticeship program for designers and artists. Many connections to any learni...

In today’s episode, the Geeks are live again in Chicago, IL. Bob begins the show sharing a new study he is working on with Dr. Paul Zak, Neuroscientist and Professor at Claremont Graduate University. Bob shares how they are measuring immersion in real-time, within the classroom. The Geeks discuss the latest findings and what we can learn from it. To close the show, Dana puts another familiar learn...

In today’s episode, we welcome our first guest to the show, Lauren Lobel - Global Lead of Onboarding at Accenture. Lauren joins the geeks to discuss why onboarding is a powerful and emotional opportunity to capture the hearts and minds of your newly hired employees. Whether your organization is large or small, the crew discuss ways to increase learning durability, increase sense of belonging, and...

In today’s episode - Bob Gerard, Dana Koch, and Jake Gittleson open it up with listener mailbag and share why one listener’s letter may change the show’s structure forever. The geeks revisit the topic of Mental Representations but dive deeper and explain what learning designers can learn from it. To close the show, we share our perspective on how humans, not cats, can build a habit of learning. Th...

Following the recording of Episode 03, the Learning Geeks stuck around to discuss why a recent Star Wars announcement triggered a connection on what we can do to help people feel a sense of surprise and delight. In addition, they discuss how immersive reality is helping certain theme parks rise to the top in the global ranks. Thoughts and views are our own. Audio Credit: "Seagulls Stop it Now" by...

In Episode 03, the Learning Geeks - Bob Gerard, Dana Koch, and Jake Gittleson discuss "Learning about Education" through our own experiences. Topics include purposeful learning, Educere vs, Educare, mental representations, and "being good enough vs. being an expert". To close out, we try a new segment called "Rest in Peace" where we put to rest a term that's overly used in the learning world. Thou...

In our second, but first public episode, the Learning Nerds - Bob Gerard, Dana Koch, and Jake Gittleson, discuss the neuroscience of teams and learning, the magic of creativity, and the rituals of learning. Dana also tries a new segment called the "Lighting Round" and of course, no podcast would be complete without mentioning Star Wars at some point. Be sure to check out Britt Andreatta's book "Wi...