Why Does It Have To Be So Difficult?

Original article from the Learning Hack Podcast: LH #42 – Why Does It Have To Be So Difficult?

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Listen to the podcast episode below, with our co-founder Stella Collins.

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Cognitive load theory tells us that we have to do our best to make things easier for learners. But Bjork says that ‘necessary’ (or ‘desirable’) difficulties are an essential part of the process. Should learning be easy or difficult? Is there a simple way to resolve this apparent contradiction – or is it a matter of trade-offs?

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John talks to Stella Collins, one of the ‘Brain Ladies’ and also Co-founder and Chief Learning Officer of Stella Labs, based in Belgium. With degrees in Psychology and Human Communication, she is an enthusiast for our growing knowledge of how the brain works. Starting with the issue of difficulty, the discussion ranges widely over the applicability (and otherwise) of brain science to how we can best support learners.