Teaching and training: lessons from education and cognitive science to promote learning

EMBL-ABR / ARDC Webinar: Prof Rochelle E Tractenberg

In 2017, Feldon et al. published a study of the results of federally (grant) -funded “bootcamp” type training in data science/technology that was aimed at doctoral-level graduate students in the US. Their results showed that these short/sharp training experiences did not, in fact, lead to any discernable differences between students who did, and those who did not, attend the workshops. This webinar will discuss these results as not surprising – given what is known about adult learners, cognition, and common design characteristics of both short/sharp and longer instructional opportunities. To overcome the difficulties the Feldon et al. results highlighted, we will examine lessons from education; from cognitive science; and from the Data and Software Carpentries. These lessons can be applied to any adult learning experience (“bootcamp”, course, program or curriculum).