Science of Learning Isn’t Always Intuitive: Discover Popular Illusions with Carl Hendrick
What if some of your practices that seem great are actually holding learners back?
Join us for an interview-style conversation with Dr. Carl Hendrick, co-author of Instructional Illusions, as we unpack why learning design is often counterintuitive and how to avoid practices that look effective on the surface but don't hold up to evidence.
In this conversation, we'll explore illusions like the:
'Uniqueness' Illusion: How to hold two truths at once: all learners are unique and all humans share the same cognitive architecture. Know what learner differences matter and how to design for them.
'Engagement' Illusion: Why a 'busy' and 'fun' learning environment can be a poor proxy for learning and how to aim for cognitive engagement, not just activity
'Discovery' Illusion: Why "they'll learn better if they figure it out themselves" often backfires and when, for experts, discovery does make sense
'Transfer' Illusion: Why learning in classroom and training but doesn’t show up in the real world; learn tested strategies to improve transfer
'Motivation' Illusion: Why achievement often fuels motivation (not the other way around), and how to design for “small wins”
This session is for you if:
You design or facilitate learning experiences for classrooms or organisations (essentially humans!)
You've ever wondered why a training or learning intervention that 'seemed' effective didn't stick for learners
You're looking to move beyond intuition and adapt more evidence informed approaches
You want to leverage science of learning to push back against questionable ideas that hinder impact
Format:
🗣️Live, interview-style chat with Carl Hendrick
❓Live Audience Q&A
About the speaker:
Carl Hendrick is an internationally recognized expert in the science of learning and instructional design. He is a professor at Academica University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam and leads research projects that bridge cognitive science, educational psychology, and practice.
He has co-authored several influential books, including How Learning Happens and Instructional Illusions, and regularly advises organizations on implementing evidence-based strategies such as retrieval practice, spacing, and explicit instruction. An experienced keynote speaker and trainer, Carl delivers workshops and talks globally, making complex research accessible and actionable for learning professionals. He is also a member of the UNESCO IBE Science of Learning editorial board.