Research by Vermeulen et al. shows that the brain responds to facial expressions denoting fear and disgust quite differently. Expressions denoting fear heighten our sensory input and increase our attention to the material immediately following the stimuls, whilst a face denoting disgust throttles our sensory input and attention.

What does this mean for adult learning? Using imagery and soundscapes it would be relatively simple to stimulate fear in learners, fear of job loss, fear of poor health and so on, then follow it up with critical information to prevent these fears being realised. As an eLearning consultant, I’ve used this technique quite often, for example using disturbing case studies as an extrinsic motivator, but never with the intent of generating fear.

What about the ethical dimensions this approach? Do the ends justify the fear? Is a good scare what learners need?

I read an interesting article about the role of sleep in learning, with evidence suggesting that relevant sounds and smells being played while we sleep enhance learning! I remember playing around with subsconscious learning tapes and CD’s years ago, with no appreciable result. As an eLearning and blended learning consultant, i’ve never  used the technique except to advice classroom learners to get a good nights sleep before and after learning. But this new research suggests the role of subconscious learning may be to reinforce conscious learning.

Further, the different stages in the sleep cycle may be suited to enhancing different kinds of learning and different learning styles. The article gives the example of playing darts being processed during REM sleep, while declarative knowldege is processed during slow wave sleep. It also touches on the role of powernaps and the proximity of sleep to learning in enhancing retention.

So how can we use this to make better learning programs? One way might be to schedule training closer to when we sleep, or to allow learners to take a nap right after learning. Another might be a take home CD with music, sounds and voice that reinforce the key learnings, to be played as they drift off that night.

What do you think? How can we use this information to enhance adult learning?