The Science Behind Thiagi’s Activities: Using Them to Maximize Learning Happens
The Science Behind Thiagi’s Activities: Using Them to Maximize Learning Happens
OVERVIEW
You’ve successfully used Thiagi Group’s training activities. You’ve seen the engagement. But have you ever wondered why they work so effectively?
Or does the door close the minute you mention interactive techniques— or, dare we say GAMES?
This two-session course pulls back the curtain on the science behind the interactivity. Grounded in decades of research by cognitive scientists such as John Sweller, Paul Kirschner, and Richard Mayer, we examine how these seemingly simple training activities align with the brain's actual learning processes. From managing cognitive load to activating prior knowledge, from promoting transfer to embedding retrieval practice—we connect The Thiagi Group’s training activities to principles rooted in cognitive science.
Whether you’re an instructional designer, trainer, facilitator, consultant, teacher, professor, or learning leader, this course will give you the language, the evidence, and the confidence to design—and defend—research-based learning experiences. Knowing why these activities work makes it easier for you to make better design choices, especially when you have to make changes on the fly.
Why do we say defend? Because often, we need to make the case... enrich our argument with stakeholders to take the time for learning and allow for the "chaos" of interactivity. Knowing the science helps get the buy-in and enhance your credibility, as well as improve learning outcomes.
Join us as we bridge the gap between play and performance, insight, and impact.
OBJECTIVES
By the end of this program, you will:
Explore the cognitive architecture—the steps humans go through as we learn important content and how to apply that content (attention grabbing, getting the content into one’s head, moving the information into long-term memory, retrieving it for use, applying it to develop the skill, and ultimately mastering application).
See why and how these training activities work– and equally importantly, why they may not.
Determine how to select the appropriate training activity as you progress through the cognitive architecture (learning process).
Evaluate whether what you did worked.
Avoid the pseudo-science, debunked myths, and superstitions we have all used and employed in our careers.
Experience a series of activities as we walk the walk and talk the talk, using them to teach the science.
Discover why we promote deep engagement instead of trivial fun.
WHEN
October 29, 2025, from 10h00 to 13h00 ET
November 12, 2025, from 10h00 to 13h00 ET
COST
$199 US
WHERE
Delivered live, online via Zoom.
WHAT YOU GET
A digital copy of the latest book, INTERACTIVE TECHNIQUES FOR LEARNING by Thiagi and Matthew Richter, with 66 activity protocols and tons of information explaining why we do what we do.
Access to Matt and Thiagi for as long as they live.
DR. SIVASAILAM “THIAGI” THIAGARAJAN is the founder and Resident Mad Scientist at The Thiagi Group, an organization with the mission of helping people improve their performance effectively and enjoyably.
Thiagi served as the editor of ISPI's Performance & Instruction for more than 10 years. He has written a monthly GameLetter for 30 years; it currently appears as the GameBlog on this website.
Thiagi has twice been elected the president of the International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI), 27 years apart (in 1979 and 2006). He has also been the five-time president of the North American Simulation and Gaming Association (NASAGA).
As a global nomad, Thiagi has lived in three different countries and has conducted training workshops in 21 others. Earlier in his life, he has been a high-school science teacher, street corner magician, researcher, editor of a professional journal, keynote speaker, college professor, USAID project director, and writer.
MATT RICHTER is the President of The Thiagi Group. He is a facilitator, game designer, instructional designer, and management consultant. Matt has consulted and delivered training with many organizations including Grant Thornton, Twilio, VMWare, SanDisk, Redwood Trust, CenturyLink, Imerys, EA, Microsoft, Carolina Power and Light, IGT, Cadence Design Systems, and Sony. He is an expert in the areas of management, leadership, motivation, and performance technology. Matt mixes corporate, not-for-profit, academic, and independent experience, enabling him to adapt and best serve his clients. His book, The Leadership Story: A New Model for Leadership was published in 2016. In 2020, he co-authored, LOLA: Live Online Learning Activities with his partner, Sivasailam Thiagarajan (Thiagi). And in 2024, the two published Interactive Techniques for Learning with LDA Press.
Matt is co-organizer of LDA (The Learning Development Accelerator), a professional membership group for people in the learning and development field, where we encourage the use of research-inspired and evidence-informed practices.
Matt teaches at EMLyon, in France, as a part of their executive MBA program.
