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I’m back from vacation and already heading back out on the road today for a softball tournament with my daughter. We’re probably in the car right now as you’re reading this and it looks like it will be a little toasty. So I’ll be thinking cool thoughts, soaking up some sun and cheering like crazy for all the Ohio All-American girls. I hope you’ve got something to cheer for this weekend as well.

Thanks for reading!

📰 News & Notes

Sources of Cognitive Load

Cognitive load theory is about how things affect our working memory. It has three types: intrinsic, extraneous, and germane load. Intrinsic load is about the task itself. Extraneous load is about the task's design or environment. Germane load is about the resources used for the task. Cognitive load is influenced by motivation, task elements, and background knowledge. It's a useful model for learning. But it doesn't cover convincing students to use effective study strategies.

🎯 Take away: Cognitive load theory provides valuable insights into how various factors impact our ability to effectively use our working memory resources

Slow Ideas

Some innovations spread fast. How do you speed the ones that don’t? In this article, Atul Gawande highlights the powerful impact of direct human interaction and personal engagement in driving change and implementing critical practices. He shares some examples of initiatives that vividly demonstrate the effectiveness of person-to-person efforts in transforming norms and saving lives. These initiatives underscore the vital importance of understanding existing norms, fostering trust, extending practical support, and embodying kindness and empathy. They highlight the undeniable significance of establishing genuine connections and active engagement to bring about transformative improvements.

🎯 Take away: The primary takeaway here is the importance of human interaction and personal engagement in driving change and implementing critical practices.

This company adopted AI. Here's what happened to its human workers

AI has the potential to boost productivity and customer satisfaction in the workplace. Incorporating AI chatbots improved the productivity of customer support representatives by 14% and resulted in faster issue resolution and higher customer satisfaction. Less experienced representatives benefitted the most, performing at the same level as their more experienced colleagues. However, there are concerns about income inequality and the distribution of AI's benefits. While AI can make our economy more productive and raise living standards, there are no guarantees of how these benefits will be shared. Additionally, AI's impact on the labor market and job automation needs careful consideration.

🎯 Take away: AI has the potential to significantly improve productivity, customer satisfaction, and address income inequality, but careful consideration and proactive measures are needed to ensure its benefits are shared.

The joy of plain language; a Bob Ross inspired approach to content design

Bob Ross simplified complex ideas to achieve success, and you can do the same in your content design. Aim for a reading age of 9-11 with simple sentences and everyday words. Use active language like "we" and "you" for a personal touch and give clear instructions. Structure content to frontload important information, use headings and lists, and break up large blocks of text. Remember, create content for individuals, not just for the internet. Keep it plain and understandable to engage your audience effectively.

🎯 Take away: ​Be like Bob Ross and simplify your content for better results.

Unleashing the Mind: 5 Best Neuroscience Courses to Take in 2023

Whether you want to know how the brain works, how to learn better, understand human behavior and even brain injury and pathologies, these courses have got you covered. Class Central has curated a list of the top online neuroscience courses, including beginner and advanced levels, courses relating neuroscience to learning and behavior, and courses exploring brain injury and pathologies.

If you’re looking for other topics, check out Class Central’s Best Online Courses of All Time

🎯 Take away: This is a collection of highly-rated online neuroscience courses curated by Class Central

🎧 Podcasts

These are the conversations that caught my ear this week. Check out previous episodes in the Friday Finds podcast playlist.

🧰 Tech Tools & Tips

If tools are your jam, check out my new Work Smarter newsletter.

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🧳 Where’s Mike?

• NASJE 2023, August 28 , Columbus, Ohio

• CUNA Learning Live , October 16 San Antonio

If you or your event needs a speaker or workshop that is highly interactive and super practical we should talk.

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Friday Finds is an independent publication that I produce in my free time. You can support my work by sharing it with the world, booking an advertising spot, or by buying me a coffee. J