I was at IDTX last Friday, a fabulous event, aimed squarely at practitioners rather than strategy-makers, with real time to discuss and explore ideas rather than just sit and receive them. It was about taking an evidence-based approach to our learning development practice. Very real, very relevant, very applicable.

There were concurrent sessions running throughout the day, so I couldn’t be everywhere. But those I did attend were genuinely insightful, and I came away with plenty to think about.

I made mind maps during each session and have since taken the time to reflect and make sense of my scribblings. Here’s what I took away, one short read for each session. Follow the links to read more about the ones that feel most relevant to you.

The Motivation Blueprint, Matthew Richter

Motivation gets people in the room. It doesn’t keep them there, and it doesn’t guarantee any change on Monday morning. Matthew Richter explored what actually drives sustained motivation, and why threats, badly designed rewards, and unsafe environments quietly undermine the whole thing.

Read more → https://trainingdesignersclub.co.uk/2026/06/03/the-learning-motivation-blueprint/

An evidence-based look at common learning models, Sukh Pabial

VAK, 70/20/10, Mehrabian, NLP, most of us have used at least one of these. Sukh Pabial asked a straightforward question: what does the evidence actually say? The answers were uncomfortable in places, but useful.

Read more → https://trainingdesignersclub.co.uk/2026/06/03/what-does-evidence-based-actually-mean-in-ld/

On-the-Job Thinking, Sara Farwell & Matt Zatonski

Familiarity with an idea isn’t the same as being able to apply it. This session made a compelling case for why exposure training creates the illusion of skill, and what deliberate practice actually requires.

Read more → https://trainingdesignersclub.co.uk/2026/06/03/the-illusion-of-knowledge/

Promoting Causal Agency (aka turning knowledge into action), Kurt Ewald Lindley

You can teach someone everything they need to know about climbing a mountain. They still might never climb one. Kurt Ewald Lindley’s session on causal agency is the one I’ve thought about most since Friday.

Read more → https://trainingdesignersclub.co.uk/2026/06/03/the-missing-link-between-learning-and-behaviour-change/