Afterthoughts: The Science of Learning with Lauren Waldman (March 25, 2026)

It was a privilege to celebrate 45 years of CCCE community energy at the Scotiabank Digital Discovery Zone for our first in-person event of 2026. Our guest speaker, Lauren Waldman, founder of Learning Pirate, brought her expertise as a Learning Scientist and Scientific Learning Designer to the room. Lauren helped us bridge the gap between brain design and the biological mechanics of how we actually learn.

Her high-energy perspective challenged us to move beyond 300-year-old educational models and start joining forces with our own operating system. The session was a fascinating deep dive into the staggering complexity of the brain. We learned incredible facts, such as how our wiring could circle the Earth four times, and participated in activities that demonstrated memory retrieval in action.

We left with practical suggestions for more effective learning strategies:

The Power of Schemas

Learning is heavily influenced by schemas, which are the organizational frameworks the brain uses to perceive and categorize new material. When an employee says "at my last job we did it this way," they are referencing an existing schema. We must strategically decide if our training is extending an existing framework, competing with an existing one, or if we need to build an entirely new one from scratch.

Three Rs of Durable Memory

Lauren shared that memory is the outcome of a successful learning process, but it is not a one-time event. To move from a fleeting trace to a permanent skill, we must respect the biological cycle of memory:

• Reactivation: The initial stamping in the hippocampus is instant but easily forgotten. We must intentionally revisit the information to dig the neural path deeper.

• Retrieval: Durable memory happens when we challenge the brain to pull information back out. Simple repetition is not enough: we must practice active retrieval.

• Recovery: While the work happens during the day, memory consolidates during sleep. Proper recovery is the final step that allows the brain to solidify what has been learned.

Attention vs. Learning

We explored two different types of attention: the Dorsal Attention Network (DAN) and the Ventral Attention Network (VAN). While the VAN is triggered by novelty and surprises (the shiny objects of training), it is not the same thing as learning. Real growth requires the DAN, which is the intentional, goal-driven focus we use when we are truly concentrated. We can leverage novelty to spark initial interest and then transition learners into the intentional focus required for deep work.

Reflection

Lauren mentioned that we’ve been learning the same way for three centuries without questioning it. What is one traditional training rule you are ready to break in favor of a more brain-friendly approach?