What If We’re Testing What Learners Remember Instead of What They Can Actually Do?

The key points I had taken from the first and second chapter of Clark’s Learning Science are:

Firstly

When we learn something, we don’t just look and listen. We also do things: we talk, move our hands, click, and more. Whatever our hands and mouths practice while learning is what they’ll be ready to do later. So, having our learners practice doing the real thing, the same way they’ll do it for real, is key.

Secondly

When we first learn to do something, we have to think about every little step. But from the moment we begin to do it again and again, our brain bundles the steps together into one smooth “package,” and that sets the path for us to be able to do it without thinking.

Thirdly

Sometimes, a situation can make us act before we think. Maybe someone throws a ball at you, and your hands go up to catch it or even dodge it. Who knows? Nobody decided; the moment itself pressed the button. Clark calls this part of recognition: we see or hear something, and a practiced action fires on its own.

So, when we teach, we want the real-life moment to become the button. The learner should practice with the same experience they’ll encounter for real, so that when those situations show up, the right action jumps out by itself.

And Lastly, which is kind of like an emphasis on the third point I just made.

You see, when we test learners, the test should look like the real job. Asking them to remember a fact won’t do the trick. Instead, asking them to make the choices they’ll have to make for real is a better way to design their learning experience.

And even a multiple-choice question can do this when we put learners in a small situation and ask, “What would they do?”

And if there’s a fact they must know by heart, fine, we should drill it until it’s automatic. But then test them using it, not just reciting it.

And if a fact is never used in any real decision, asking ourselves why we’re even teaching it in the first place will be the best question to ask.

With this comes the end of Chapter 1 with over 58 episodes! across multiple series and themes. What a journey.

I’ll take some time to reflect on all I’ve learnt and follow the prompts Clark shared in his book whilst I prepare for the Learning Science Conference coming up on the 2nd of November, 2026.

Hyped and can’t wait to be a beneficiary of the conference. See you there!

Day 102 of Instructional Design

#InstructionalDesigner#LearningAndDevelopment#LearningExperienceDesign#LearningInPublic#BuildInPublic#SenseMakingNotes#MentalModels#TAWIQM#QuinnSeeds

In case you missed the Quinn Seed articles 👇

Quinn Seed #1- CLICK ME

Quinn Seed #2- CLICK ME

Quinn Seed #3- CLICK ME

Quinn Seed #4- CLICK ME

Quinn Seed #5- CLICK ME

Quinn Seed #6 CLICK ME

Quinn Seed #7- CLICK ME