{"id":1257,"date":"2022-01-06T20:40:08","date_gmt":"2022-01-06T20:40:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/letsalloy.com\/?p=1007"},"modified":"2022-02-05T06:56:42","modified_gmt":"2022-02-05T06:56:42","slug":"use-the-protege-effect-to-maximize-learners-attention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/letsalloy.com\/learn\/use-the-protege-effect-to-maximize-learners-attention\/","title":{"rendered":"Use the Prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Effect to Maximize Learners’ Attention"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 6<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”3%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_row_inner column_margin=”50px” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

What Is The Prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Effect, And How Can You Use It To Maximize Learners\u2019 Attention?<\/span><\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30″][vc_column_text]Sometime between the years 4 BC and 65 AD, the ancient Roman philosopher Seneca observed famously that \u201cwhile we teach, we learn.\u201d Fast forward to 2022, and the concept still rings true.<\/span><\/p>\n

The phenomenon Seneca witnessed almost 2,000 years ago was what we now call the <\/span>prot\u00e9g\u00e9 effect<\/b>. The prot\u00e9g\u00e9 effect describes the idea that students or learners who explain a concept to others reinforce their own understanding of the subject. Leveraging the prot\u00e9g\u00e9 effect is common in classroom settings, but employers can also reap the benefits of encouraging their employees to learn from each other. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30″][image_with_animation image_url=”1258″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” column_margin=”30px” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bottom_padding=”5%” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30″][vc_column_text]\n

The Prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Effect: How Does It Work?
\n<\/span><\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30″][vc_column_text]Before we discuss engaging the prot\u00e9g\u00e9 effect in the workplace, let\u2019s look at a few examples of the prot\u00e9g\u00e9 effect in action. We can refer to a handful of studies conducted over several years to learn exactly how the prot\u00e9g\u00e9 effect manifests itself among learners.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2007, for example, a study in the <\/span>Journal of Science<\/span><\/a> observed that older siblings may be somewhat more intelligent than their younger siblings. Older siblings, the study theorizes, have slightly higher IQs because of the time they spent showing their younger siblings the ropes. <\/span><\/p>\n

A widely-cited 2009 study<\/span><\/a> also demonstrated the vast power of the prot\u00e9g\u00e9 effect. Middle school students were tasked with instructing Betty\u2019s Brain, an animated AI figure who could learn, ask questions, and make mistakes just like humans. Preparing to teach helped the students organize their knowledge in a way that improved their own understanding and recall of the material. As they explained the lessons to Betty\u2019s Brain, they could also better identify the gaps in their own thinking.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The study concluded that students make a greater effort to learn on behalf of someone else than they do for themselves. Learners feel a heightened sense of motivation when someone else\u2019s success is their responsibility. That\u2019s why they put in extra effort to study and effectively teach the material \u2014 and luckily, that means they better retain it themselves.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” column_margin=”30px” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bottom_padding=”5%” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30″][vc_column_text]\n

How Can You Leverage The Prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Effect During Employee Training?<\/span><\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30″][vc_column_text]There are inherent benefits to providing employees with relevant, robust training materials. But no matter how well-crafted your training content is, it\u2019s not enough to just hand your employees a company handbook and be done with it. Ensuring the material is absorbed and applied is an entirely different issue, and that\u2019s where the prot\u00e9g\u00e9 effect comes in. (Of course, you\u2019ll want to take other steps to maximize the stickiness of your training content, like tailoring it to your employees\u2019 specific roles and unique <\/span>learning preferences<\/span><\/a>.)<\/span><\/p>\n

Ultimately, the prot\u00e9g\u00e9 effect can maximize the ROI of your company training, and there\u2019s nothing to lose by giving it a shot and adjusting your strategy when needed. Here\u2019s how to infuse your corporate training with the prot\u00e9g\u00e9 effect:\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” column_margin=”30px” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bottom_padding=”5%” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30″][vc_column_text]\n

1. Facilitate peer-to-peer learning networks and encourage employees to interact.
\n<\/span><\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30″][vc_column_text]Employees often feel more <\/span>comfortable<\/span><\/a> with peer-to-peer learning than with formal presentations from leadership. Not only does peer-to-peer learning reduce the pressure to perform, but it also enables employees to form genuine, trust-based connections with their colleagues. Both of these factors can contribute to higher knowledge retention and application rates.<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, collaborative learning can create a highly skilled <\/span>and <\/span><\/i>engaged workforce in organizations. Peer learning is known to contribute to <\/span>upskilling<\/span><\/a> (and skill transfer between peers), which is vital for high levels of employee engagement. <\/span>94%<\/span><\/a> of employees said they would stay longer at a company that invests in their careers and helps them upskill. Peer-to-peer learning also encourages employees to take ownership of their careers and expertise, which leads to a more engaged and skilled workforce.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” column_margin=”30px” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bottom_padding=”5%” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30″][vc_column_text]\n

2. Conduct breakout group activities to encourage your employees to discuss the material.<\/span><\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30″][vc_column_text]Breakout groups are a common tactic used in university classrooms, but their effectiveness remains just as poignant in the workplace. A few examples of breakout group activities are:[\/vc_column_text]
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