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February Topic: The Friction Advantage: When Making Things Harder Improves Learning
Location: Zoom Online Virtual Platform (link provided after registration)
Cost: Free for ATD Detroit and other local Chapter Members &
$10.00 for Guest
Description: We are wired to avoid friction in learning: shorter modules, simpler slides, fewer steps. But behavioral science and cognitive psychology tell a different story. Under the right conditions, a bit of difficulty can actually make learning deeper, stickier, and far more durable. This session dives into the “friction advantage” and explores how spacing, interleaving, retrieval practice, and prediction error can transform your learning experiences from “that was nice” to “I still use this months later.”
Rather than overwhelming learners with complexity, we will focus on how to design productive struggle, just enough challenge to engage the brain’s encoding and prediction systems, without tipping people into frustration or disengagement. Ideal for experienced instructional designers and facilitators who want to move beyond surface-level engagement and build truly high-impact learning.
Participant Outcomes
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
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Explain the concept of “desirable difficulty” and why effort, when well designed, improves retention and transfer.
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Identify common places in their current programs where learning is actually too easy to stick.
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Apply practical tactics like spacing, interleaving, and retrieval practice to introduce beneficial friction into learning designs.
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Balance challenge and support so learners experience productive struggle rather than confusion or burnout.
Jay's Bio
Jay Johnson works with people and organizations to empower teams, grow profits, and elevate leadership. He is a Co-Founder of Behavioral Elements®, a two-time TEDx speaker, and a designated Master Trainer by the Association for Talent Development. With a focus on behavioral intelligence, Jay has delivered transformational workshops to accelerate high-performance teams and cultures in more than 30 countries across four continents.
For more information about the ID SIG or the upcoming Meet-up, contact SIG Organizer Jay Johnson at jay@behavioralelements.com
Note: SIGs are an exclusive member benefit for ATD Detroit and other local ATD chapter members.
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What's a SIG?
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are small groups of members who share an affinity for a particular aspect of Talent Development. Whether it's a specific approach, a certain skill, or a common role in the industry, a SIG helps bring chapter members together to share in an interest.
Anyone can start a SIG - all it takes is a shared interest and a meeting place! To learn more, contact the Chapter President, president@detroitatd.org.
