Well, that was unexpected! (Training Pattern Disruptors)

In training design, the 'flow' of the session is paramount. It’s like a well edited movie, you shouldn’t notice the edits, just the great story line. But, sometimes interjecting something unexpected can rouse us from our comfortable state and make us sit up and pay attention. This is often referred to as a ​...

pattern disruptor. (Like a flipper on a pavement, 10 miles away from the nearest water source, it makes us stop and think!)

Consider a learning session which requires a firm logical flow to it. Now imagine introducing a pattern disruptor. This could go one of two ways:

1. A training game is introduced with very little relevance. 'Just a bit of fun to create some energy in the room!' (Cringe!)

2. An activity is introduced that at first glance seems out of place, but actually pulls on the previous learning or links to future discussions AND makes a difference to the learner. (Huzzah!)

There are lots of people who scoff at 'games' being used in learning sessions. But when the right game is used for the right reasons in a skilled way, it doesn't matter if it's a random flipper or a Lego mini figure, introducing the unexpected can create curiosity and increase learning and surely that can only be a good thing!
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