Millennials, Goldfish & Other Training Misconceptions: Debunking Learning Myths and Superstitions

by Clark Quinn

Can You Tell Learning Fact From Fiction?

“Training should be tailored to individual learning styles.” “We only use 10 percent of our brain.” “Multitasking is as simple and efficient as flipping a switch.”

Some myths and superstitions have their fervent believers. But unlike everyday misconceptions such as “Bats are blind” or “George Washington had wooden teeth,” these learning myths can cost you. Fortunately, trained skeptic Clark Quinn has once and for all laid them bare before the research and evidence.

Now, myth busting has never been easier. Millennials, Goldfish, & Other Training Misconceptions debunks more than 30 common assumptions about good learning design to help you avoid wasting time, resources, and goodwill on unproven practices. Drawing on cognitive psychology and brain science, Clark arms you with the ammo to challenge the claims you’re likely to hear from peers and co-workers.

Be a smart consumer, and stand behind the science of learning.

Genres: Education, Professional Development, Teaching

200 pages, Paperback

Published April 24, 2018

Reviews

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty interesting and I learned quite a bit about pervasive myths in training - and how to avoid them in my work.

[Norgri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every workplace learning professional should read this book.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the author's early discouragement against reading this front-to-back, I did it anyway. It's a quick and easy read. I understand that the design is intended as a reference, with a quick guide in the back that imparts the high-level summary for each point. This book best serves as a handy shield against the uninformed, arming Learning and Development professionals with the citations to dismantle the myths and superstitions that still plague the industry.

How handy will it be? I don't know. Most topics covered would produce similar analysis with a quick Google search (thanks to industry blog posts) so maybe tuck this next to your battered copy of Strunk & White?

[Ro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that is best read in sips, rather than devoured whole. It is one that I would love to have all of my team members and our clients read so that we could get on the same page regarding instructional design problems that we wrangle with. Learning myths like are prevalent in the training industry and Quinn's book does a magnificent job of succinctly describing the issue, debunking the myths and offering truths about educational psychology and learning processes. It is a must-read for instructional designers... right now.

[Bob Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clark tackles some pervasive misconceptions about the brain, about learning and training. The articles are short and to the point, with references that helped him form his opinions available for the reader to check if they want: 10% of our brain, digital means we learn differently, smile sheets = evaluation and the ever-pervasive learning styles and dozens more misconceptions to clear up and give us more solid footing. Good book! Highly recommend, whether you are in the training business or not

[Shelley Gable · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good reference for common misconceptions in L&D, including why they might exist, arguments for and against, and what the research suggests. Very readable. I agree with the suggestion of another reviewer: best read in sips.

[Matthias · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid reference guide to learning myths and superstitions recommended for everybody that has to make decisions concerning organizational learning and development

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting, this helped to explain why a few things at work leave me scratching my head and why some practice are awkward. Will definitely keep it as a resource.

[Dallin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quinn does a good job of identifying learning myths, superstitions, and misconceptions in an easy-to-read format. I read this over several days even though I could have read it one sitting, which was probably better to not be overwhelmed.

I think anyone in the Learning and Development (L&D) field should read it. I have attended meetings where several of these myths, superstitions and misconceptions are used to support a learning method that shouldn't be used at all. This book opened my eyes to a lot of poor and accepted practices in the L&D realm that should have been eliminated long ago.

Great read!