As a quick recap, the six Is of real learning comprise:
- Individual
- Immersive
- Incremental
- Iterative
- Intrinsic
- Intentional
We explore each of these briefly in the model’s overview.
In the previous article, we looked at individual learning and how it creates far greater value than other L&D approaches. Here, we will explore the second I of this new L&D model – Immersive.
What is immersive learning?
The Cambridge dictionary defines immersive as: ‘The fact of becoming completely involved in something’. The keyword here is ‘completely’. For the value of learning to be optimised, there must be ‘complete involvement’. Ideally, this involves no distractions, for as long as is required, with total focus.
Admittedly, this is hard in busy times. But without immersion, learning outcomes will diminish significantly.
Immersion demands discipline, control, clarity of outcomes sought, and time management.
- Time dedicated to immersive learning is critical.
- Too little time can mean the intended levels of learning are not achieved.
- Too much time can lead to a drop in value. For instance, your attention can stray from over-exposure to complex or mundane topics that are best handled in bite-sized chunks.
The challenges of immersive learning
Immersive learning is an investment worth making; it prompts an intense and highly productive use of precious time. Complete focus allows for more valuable insights, new options and a better outcome than a few begrudged minutes spent superficially ‘learning’ before becoming distracted. There are doors behind doors to unlock, and immersive learning gives you the keys to open them.
Immersive learning is easier when you have a tangible incentive – when you perceive the learning as valuable and leading to a positive outcome or reward.
Not all learning has these positive, engaging characteristics. Much of what you need to learn is hard. It may seem to have little immediate purpose or value and, if not managed immersively, will become tiresome, fragmented, and prolonged.
Immersive learning that is demanding, frustrating, and confusing often brings the highest rewards.
It is common for humans to over-expect of themselves and what they can reasonably achieve. Immersion can help here. Accept that only so much is possible in any contact with a demanding task or learning activity, and feel satisfied with the product of that dedicated time.
The ’hurry up’ world of work can unhelpfully prioritise the pace of delivery over the quality of outcomes. It is rare to have the time to complete important tasks to a high standard. The same is true of learning, so it is vitally important to protect your L&D time from distractions.
Here’s a painful truth. Immersion requires a protected space free of distraction. Let’s be honest, and accept that individuals are often the source of their own distractions. You are not alone in waiting for a beep on the phone that will notify you of a ‘priority’ to tend to over the immersive task.
Try to develop the habit of either ignoring (very tough) electronic invaders, or, shock horror, turning off devices that prevent true immersion.
Two types of attention
Technology researcher and writer, Linda Stone, has clearly made the case for ‘Full Uninterrupted Attention’. This is where you give total, immersive focus to a task – such as learning – to maximise the outcomes and time invested.
In contrast, Linda says individuals too often operate in ‘Continuous Partial Attention’ mode, allowing multiple thoughts to cause distraction. This means tasks are completed less well than when you show complete focus.
Getting started with immersive learning
Prepare your space and time
Choose carefully when, where and for how long to immerse yourself in learning something.
- The right time is when you know you are most alert and productive.
- The right place is somewhere free of competing distractions. Founder and President of Time To Think, Nancy Kline, eloquently emphasised ‘space’ as one of the ten components of a Thinking Environment.
- The length of time you commit to immersion is a judgment call – thirty minutes of quality immersion might be more productive than hours of less complete focus.
Commit to your investment in immersion
Immersive learning that is demanding, frustrating, and confusing often brings the highest rewards. Managing effort, time, and energy to persist and ‘break through’ can be extremely rewarding.
To succeed, you must genuinely feel it is legitimate to give yourself time to think (Nancy Kline again). You must view immersive learning as significant and actively prevent distractions from corrupting or stealing that ‘space’. Immersive learning or working will never become the norm unless you make explicit efforts to protect the precious time you find for ‘complete involvement’.
Within this learning model, combinations of one or more of the elements are helpful:
- The best results from immersive learning may result from two other Is of learning: being intentional (in your planning) and the implementation process.
- Equally, immersive outcomes are enhanced by two other Is within the model: incremental progression and iterative sliced-up sessions (as opposed to an unrealistic one-off feast).
Write down your thoughts (on paper)
Immersive thinking is a worthwhile way to gain powerful results from learning – but it’s not the best way. Thoughts are hard to manage because they are intangible, abstract, and often fleeting. This is why writing – not typing – is a hugely useful tool for deep thinking.
Writing down your thoughts makes ideas real, slows an overactive brain, and clarifies any messiness.
Buy a tomato-shaped timer
Here is a truly practical thought. Buy a Pomodoro timer, and set it to allow uninterrupted time on a task from one to sixty minutes. If your attention span is low, set it to no more than fifteen minutes.
