{"id":416,"date":"2020-06-23T23:56:57","date_gmt":"2020-06-23T23:56:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/katalystnow.com\/?p=416"},"modified":"2022-09-19T15:55:50","modified_gmt":"2022-09-19T15:55:50","slug":"training-for-squirrels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/katalystnow.com\/?p=416","title":{"rendered":"Training for Squirrels – Part 1 – Tips for Learners…"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yep.\u00a0 I said that.\u00a0 Squirrels. Those skittery critters, famous for short attention spans. Or, more appropriately, the thing that distracts Doug the dog in Pixar\u2019s movie, \u201cUP.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

But, let\u2019s face it.\u00a0 In the attention-economy, we\u2019re all a bit skittery. Our brains are hardwired to prioritize \u201cscan for threats\u201d over \u201cfocus for food\u201d.\u00a0 If that weren\u2019t enough, our screens and \u201cblack mirrors\u201d don\u2019t help much with that \u201cfocus\u201d thing.\u00a0 Add on to the pile a recent global health event that has forced people to combine \u201cwork\u201d with \u201chome\u201d and \u201cchild\/parent\/pet\/other care\u201d into the same space, and timeframes.\u00a0 And in the midst of \/ on top of this, we\u2019re still expected to spend what little focus we have on learning? In a class?? And more frequently in a virtual Environment??<\/span><\/p>\n

Yup. It\u2019s exhausting:<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Squirrel\"<\/span><\/div>

Photo by<\/span> Trac Vu<\/span><\/a> on<\/span> Unsplash<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>

It should also be enough to change the way we think about teaching and learning. Or at least recognize and accommodate some of the changes that are already happening.<\/span><\/p>\n

With this in mind, and specifically the idea that attention is short and hard to come by, I thought I might break this into 2 parts: One for learners,\u00a0 and another for trainers, teachers, educators.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

So, looking at your next class w. Dread?\u00a0 Here\u2019s few quick principles I encourage participants in my classes to consider:<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n