I read through a number of articles and blog posts each day as part of my ongoing professional development. Each week, I curate a few of my favorites, including a brief introduction explaining why I find the post valuable and recommend you read it.
Here’s a summary of this week’s content:
- What L&D Professionals do that ChatGPT cannot replicate
- How “Strengths and Weaknesses” inform professional development
- The importance of wonder & awe in our lives
- AI-powered experiences you can try today
- A curated list of research papers exploring the science of learning
4 Reasons Language Models Can't Replace L&D Expertise
One of the most common concerns learning professionals have about large language models like GPT-3 is the possibility that these tools could be used to replace the expertise of the human professionals who create training and development programs. This article by Markus Bernhardt & Clark Quinn highlights the limitations of language models in terms of their inability to understand individual learner needs, provide personalized feedback, and assess the effectiveness of training programs.
How to Answer “What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?”
This article by Joel Schwartzberg explores how to better reply to two of the most common questions you can be asked during a job interview. While the article is very useful in that context, I share it here more as an example of how to think about professional development, and why it's important to look beyond a typical skill label and consider what that skill label looks like in practice.
Why You Need to Protect Your Sense of Wonder — Especially Now
One of the most powerful takeaways I had from this year's Learning Solutions Conference were keynote Steve Burn's comments on the importance of wonder in our lives. This article by David P. Fessell and Karen Reivich examines the power of wonder and awe in detail, and how we can harness it in our lives. While the article was written in the context of the pandemic, I think the lessons apply well to our lives in general.
5 AI Projects to Try Right Now
One of the best ways to understand the potential of artificial intelligence is to experience it for yourself. This article by Matt Kim examines experiences you can try today that leverage image recognition, natural language processing, and machine learning.
Ten of My Favorite Papers on the Science of Learning and Thinking
Reviewing research papers is an important part of staying current on the topic of learning. Unfortunately, identifying good research and pulling insights from them can be challenging. That's why I love posts like this one from Scott Young, which curates ten research papers on the science of learning, sharing insights on what each paper explores and links that enable you to take a deep dive into any of the topics.
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