I’m really proud of my last 4 articles on the Science of Learning: kognitivo.net

A friend said that learning videos belong to the past. I disagree. What’s your take?

Learning videos have been around for years and many still overlook what studies show again and again: if a video shows text on the screen plus a voice reading it, your brain checks out.

Videos were once considered the future of learning. Now, they're the present. On YouTube, learning videos get 500M views... PER DAY. But not all learning videos are great. Adding motion and narration doesn't magically improve learning. So, what makes a great learning video? Find out here:

How do you teach empathy? Hard skills fill your CV but it's often soft skills that lead to success. Science shows why we learn them differently. Spoiler: language learning is a mix. www.kognitivo.net/p/hard-skill...

Is learning a language similar to learning how to play a sport?

The instructional power of analogies Ever explained something by saying “it’s like…”? Discover why analogies are one of teaching’s most powerful tools and how the right one can make complex ideas unforgettable. www.kognitivo.net/p/analogies

Not all storytelling is focused on learning. Take the Iliad:

Learning is not an action.

You can tell ChatGPT was made by US Americans because it praises every sentence you type, even the dumb ones: “That’s a great question!” Honey, I know it wasn’t, just give me the answer. If it were made by Germans: “Can you help me write an email?” “Nein.”

Where does the AI-calculator analogy truly break down? With LLMs, skill erosion happens by default unless they're used with intent. Even so-called “higher-order thinking” depends on the skills being eroded, so the idea of “making room” for it falls apart. www.kognitivo.net/p/ai-calcula...

Here’s how I became fluent in German in just 3 months: - I didn’t :’) - It was more like 5 years!! - I sounded stupid in German for 4.9 years - I nearly quit every other month Real learning is messy. It takes time and effort. Don’t trust marketing claims!

🎉 I'm very happy 🎉 to announce that I’ve started a NEW BLOG! 🥳 It's called ✨KOGNITIVO✨ and it's about the Science of Learning! My last article is on “Retrieval practice”, one of the best ways to learn according to science. I’m sure you'll find it interesting! 👉 open.substack.com/pub/kognitiv...

In most languages, "hope" is something you "have", like a possession. But in French you can also "guard" it, like a letter you never send but always carry. In German, you can "draw" it, like water from a deep well. And in Japanese you can "embrace" it, like a baby in your arms. Beautiful, isn’t it?

Guía para visitar cualquier ciudad italiana 🇮🇹 1) Empieza siempre por la Piazza del Duomo. 2) Busca cualquier cosa que se llame Vittorio Emanuele (calle/galería/monumento). Te va a gustar. 3) Mantente alejado de la stazione. (1/2)

Recuerdo cuando visité el Mt. Saint-Michel. Qué maravilla 😍

¿A que no sabéis qué ciudad italiana es esta? 😌

Berlín

Quiero volver a Tokio 🥹

Esta es una de mis fotos favoritas. A ver si sabéis dónde fue sacada 🤭 Pista: no es en España.

Las fotos a contraluz en realidad son las mejores.

Invierno en el paraíso #canarias

Flipa con los paisajes de Gran Canaria 😱

La hora mágica en Playa del Inglés ✨

Esta foto tan chuli es un bonito recuerdo de cuando visité Ronda en septiembre 😍

In French, "promises" are something you "hold", like a torch that must continue burning, whereas in English, you "keep" them, like a diary that shouldn’t be forgotten. But in Japanese, you "protect" them, like a treasure. Don’t languages make you see the world differently?

La Playa de las Canteras (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) es oficialmente mi playa favorita.

Gran Canaria es impresionante 😱

Cómo nos gusta una sesión de fotos en el Balcón del Mediterráneo. #Benidorm #BenidormFest #BenidormFest2025

#Benidorm #BenidormFest #BenidormFest2025

Estamos ready para la final del #BenidormFest2025?! #BenidormFest #Eurovision2025 #Eurovision #BenidormFestFinal

Me viste en la #BenidormFestSemi2 y no lo sabes. #BenidormFest #BenidormFest2025

Cabo de Palos, Región de Murcia.

Cartagena, milenaria.

Hoy fui por fin a Murcia 🥳 ¿Habéis estado?

Ayer fui al barbero, ¿qué piensan?

Gran Canaria, Spain

While having breakfast I realized that, in English, I was "breaking fast". But also in Spanish I was "un-fasting". In French, what I had was "the little lunch" (only at lunch did I properly stop fasting). In German, I had an "early piece". But the coffee was the same, I swear!

In English, "questions" are something you "ask" like favors, whereas in French and German, you "put" them, like a spell, to summon an answer. But in Spanish and Italian, you "make" them, like a wish. I love languages!

In Spanish, attention is something you "lend", because you kind of want it back. In French you "make" it, because it's not there if you don't. In English you "pay" it, because it's valuable. And in German you "gift" it, because it's really a present. I wish I knew all languages!

"Cariño" is an untranslatable word Spanish speakers use to describe loving affection. You "have" it for friends, family, colleagues or even pets. It’s similar to love, but excluding the drama, the tension and the intensity. "Cariño" is about proximity, care and togetherness.

When you sleep, in Spanish, English, and German, you “have” dreams, like cherished treasures. In French, you “make” them like delicate pastries. In Japanese, you “watch” them, like movies. Aren't languages fascinating?

In Spanish, when you are the most fun one, you are the "soul" of the party, its very essence. In English, you are the "life" of the party... having the time of yours! In French, you are the "king" of the party (although you know what they do to kings!). But in German... you are the "mood cannon"!

In Italian, German and English, you speak of the "devil" if the person you're talking about appears: the devil is the original One Which Shall Not Be Named! In French, you speak of the "wolf" and you see its "tail". But in Norwegian, speaking of the sun, it shines. Languages are a treasure!

The German language has plenty of highly specific terms for very distinct feelings: "world pain", "solitude of the forest", "secondhand embarrassment", "joy for the suffering of others", etc. And yet, it doesn't have a specific word for "anxiety".

When you give your unsolicited opinion, in German you give your "mustard" (yummy?), in French your "grain of salt" (without your opinion it was too bland) and in English your "two cents" (how generous!). In Spanish, however, you'll be asked: "Who gave you a candle at the funeral? Languages are fun!

In English, French and German musical instruments are things you "play", like games. Whereas in Italian you "sound" them, bringing their music to life. But in Spanish, you "touch" them, like the skin of a loved one: delicately and sweetly. I kind of prefer Spanish in this.

In French and Spanish, "time" is something you "pass", as if counting its steps walking away. Whereas in English, you "spend" it: you don't have a lot of it, and it's so precious! But in German, you (kind of) "bring" it because it's yours to share. Languages are fascinating!

Join me as I delete my Twitter/X account.

Colmar ✨