From the website:
At Lectica, we’ve developed a sophisticated new technology that’s built around a powerful evidence-based learning model. This technology allows us to accurately diagnose people’s learning needs, then provide personalized learning recommendations that support robust learning—a kind of learning that is not only efficient and immediately useful but also helps build the skills and dispositions required for a lifetime of learning and development.
People
From Theo’s LinkedIn profile:
I’m the CEO of Lectica®, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to helping the world think better by producing and distributing sophisticated learning tools that support the kind of learning that matters.
Our non-profit mission is to deliver our learning tools free of charge to individual K-12 teachers everywhere. We support this mission through donations and our for-profit arm, the Developmental Testing Service (DTS). All of the profits from DTS are donated to Lectica.
Lectica makes diagnostic and formative learning tools for schools, colleges, and the workplace. These tools measure how well people work with their knowledge in real-world contexts, identify “what comes next”, and provide personalized learning recommendations.
It’s taken over 20 years and a fair bit of struggle to develop the technology and methods we use here at Lectica. For me, it’s a sandbox. But I do have a bit of a life outside of the “nonprofit that owns me”. I have 3 children and 3 grandkids to play with, and I spend a fair bit of time on the trail, on my bike, or in the garden.
From Zak’s website:
I am a scholar at the Ronin Institute, where I research the relations between education, human development, and the evolution of civilizations.
I serve as Co-President and Academic Director of the activist think-tank at the Center for Integral Wisdom, where I write and teach at the edges of integral meta-theory.
I act on the scientific advisor board of the Neurohacker Collective and other technology start-ups, where I use my expertise in ethics and human development to help guide innovation.
I offer human development and learning science consultations to schools, organizations, and educational technology companies.
Web Properties
Recent Content
Last 50 posts on own channels (YouTube, Podcast, Medium or Website/Blog):
MindLog for Educators
Published on: 24 Mar 25 in Lectica – YouTube
by Lectica
FOLA whole group module 10 discussion: Transforming K-12 education—The DiscoTest Initiative
Published on: 4 Mar 24 in Lectica – YouTube
by Lectica
The relation between argumentation quality & growth trajectory
Published on: 4 Jun 21 in Lectica – YouTube
by Lectica
The calibration of CLAS—an electronic cognitive-developmental scoring system for texts
Published on: 4 Jun 21 in Lectica – YouTube
by Lectica
Lectica Institute Dialogue on “Is postmodernism a developmental stage beyond modernism?”
Published on: 10 May 21 in Lectica – YouTube
by Lectica
LAP Roundtable: Debriefing Lectical assessments
Published on: 10 Feb 21 in Lectica – YouTube
by Lectica
Lectica Institute Dialogue on “What is cognition and how does it develop?”
Published on: 11 Dec 20 in Lectica – YouTube
by Lectica
Lectica Institute LAP Roundtable on role analysis and role fit
Published on: 7 Dec 20 in Lectica – YouTube
by Lectica
Recruitment disrupted
Published on: 9 Oct 20 in Lectica – Medium
by Theo Dawson
Hi Jonathan,
Published on: 20 Sep 20 in Lectica – Medium
by Theo Dawson
VCoL in action: skill mapping
Published on: 15 Sep 20 in Lectica – Medium
by Theo Dawson
The facemask question: How people are thinking
Published on: 17 Jul 20 in Lectica – Medium
by Theo Dawson
You point to a problem that is ubiquitous in survey research.
Published on: 14 Jul 20 in Lectica – Medium
by Theo Dawson
Vagueness is a survey hazard! I love the “pod” idea. I hope it goes viral.
Published on: 12 Jul 20 in Lectica – Medium
by Theo Dawson
The facemask question: A survey
Published on: 12 Jul 20 in Lectica – Medium
by Theo Dawson
What would a rational recruitment process look like?
Published on: 4 Jul 20 in Lectica – Medium
by Theo Dawson
VCoL in action: Mastery vs. virtuosity
Published on: 20 Apr 20 in Lectica – Medium
by Theo Dawson
Private acts of forgiveness: A good-in-a-crisis micro-VCoL from Lectica
Published on: 19 Apr 20 in Lectica – Medium
by Theo Dawson
Donald Trump, role fit, & COVID-19
Published on: 14 Apr 20 in Lectica – Medium
by Theo Dawson
Look for the kernel of truth: A good-in-a-crisis micro-VCoL
Published on: 12 Apr 20 in Lectica – Medium
by Theo Dawson
How learning really works
Published on: 31 Mar 20 in Lectica – YouTube
by Lectica
How to impress CLAS
Published on: 23 May 19 in Lectica – YouTube
by Lectica
The Virtuous Cycle of Learning—full length lecture
Published on: 5 Jun 18 in Lectica – YouTube
by Lectica
Learning to ask
Published on: 16 Feb 18 in Lectica – YouTube
by Lectica
Fit-to-role, well-being, & productivity
Published on: 28 Jan 18 in Lectica – YouTube
by Lectica
LAP-2 preview: How to revolutionize recruitment
Published on: 6 Jan 18 in Lectica – YouTube
by Lectica
About Lectica’s recruitment accreditation course—LAP2
Published on: 19 Dec 17 in Lectica – YouTube
by Lectica
VCoL+7 in the classroom: Module 1 Lesson 2: Setting learning goals
Published on: 10 Sep 17 in Lectica – YouTube
by Lectica
From Piaget to Dawson: The evolution of adult developmental metrics
Published on: 3 Sep 17 in Lectica – YouTube
by Lectica
VCoL+7 in the classroom: Module 1, Lesson 1, Benefits & big ideas
Published on: 16 Aug 17 in Lectica – YouTube
by Lectica
LecticaFirst—Unlimited front-line to mid-level recruitment assessments, on demand
Published on: 2 Aug 17 in Lectica – YouTube
by Lectica
Lectica’s Human Capital Value Chain—for organizations committed to people development
Published on: 23 Jun 17 in Lectica – YouTube
by Lectica
About the LSUA (Lectical Self-understanding Assessment) report
Published on: 21 Apr 17 in Lectica – YouTube
by Lectica
About the Lectical Self Understanding Assessment (LSUA)
Published on: 21 Apr 17 in Lectica – YouTube
by Lectica
How to take a LectaTest (adult Lectical Assessment)
Published on: 1 Mar 17 in Lectica – YouTube
by Lectica
An ideal recruitment processAfter decades of research and development my colleagues and I have launched an entirely new approach to recruitment assessment. This approach will improve recruitment outcomes while reducing
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Hi Jonathan,Great question! We prioritize micro-skills based on several considerations: (1) how foundational micro-skills are relative to one another; (2) which skills are most needed in a particular context; and
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Skill map for active listeningMicro-VCoLing, the learning process my colleagues and I teach in ViP, involves practicing tiny skills in realtime. We call these skills micro-skills. Micro-VCoLing has many benefits,
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In the 5 days since I announced our facemask survey in the original Facemask Question article, almost 200 people have responded. Three-quarters of them have provided thoughtful written responses. Many
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You point to a problem that is ubiquitous in survey research. In an ideal world, an item would mean exactly the same thing to every person who responds to it.
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Should we or shouldn’t we? Where and when should we? When is it safe not to?Go directly to the About Those Facemasks Survey.For the last few weeks, as COVID cases have
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For 50 years we’ve known that the best predictor of recruitment success is mental ability. In fact, according to the most recent meta-analysis of research on the predictive power of
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Right after my dissertation was accepted, one of my professors, the delightful and brilliant psychometrician, Paul Holland, invited me to lunch to “discuss something important.” Later that day, intrigued—and a
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Forgiveness provides a wide range of benefits for mental health, physical health, and relationships. Small, private acts of forgiveness can even help us limit the impact of severe stress on
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In 2017, I wrote a series of articles comparing the complexity of thinking demonstrated by eight current and recent national leaders. One of our major findings was that the reasoning
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Look for the kernel of truth: A good-in-a-crisis micro-VCoL from LecticaDuring a world-wide crisis, stressful thoughts and events can put us on edge, and when we’re on edge, small irritations often
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https://lecticalive.org/about/survey-facemasks Your voice is important! We’d love to know how you’re thinking and feeling about the facemask issue! Please take 5-10 minutes to respond to our short survey…
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Are you curious about how people decide whether or not to wear face masks? I am wicked curious! That’s why I created the “About Those Facemasks” survey. If you have 5-10 minutes to spare, your participation would be much appreciated. What seems, on the face of it 😊 to be a simple binary choice — to wear or not to wear — is becoming
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This micro-VCoL is designed to help people avoid unnecessary conflict by replacing defensiveness with curiosity.
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Listening is one of the greatest gifts we can offer to one another when stress becomes distress.
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Is the blame game killing collaboration in your organization? Enter this mighty micro-VCoL!
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https://mailchi.mp/518395d35986/learn-better-faster-and-funner-395060
🚀 Lectica Inside: ViP for Managers is here! We’re ready to show all of your managers how to build VUCA skills with VCoL. And we’re offering another early adopter discount! – https://mailchi.mp/8de5127f1dc2/announcing-lectica-inside-vip-for-managers
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🎉 Last chance to ring in the turbulent twenties with ViP! – https://mailchi.mp/730eafe94cd5/ring-in-the-turbulent-twenties-with-vip
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📅 ViP registration closes January 9, 2020! – https://mailchi.mp/3e6652f3f294/vip-early-bird-deadline-soon
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⌛ ViP early 🐦 deadline is Dec 5th! – https://mailchi.mp/4d28fbcae844/vip-early-bird-deadline
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Do you have a child who is struggling in school? If so, Lectica’s new course—ViP—is for you. – https://mailchi.mp/2316943e7272/vip-is-for-parents-too-3786465
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Would you like to learn better & faster while having more fun? Well, you’re in luck because we have the recipe and we’d like to show you how to put it to work—with VCoL.- https://mailchi.mp/f7e80b5ad0d7/learn-better-faster-and-funner
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In this episode of the Fully Integrated Leadership Podcast, I welcome my friend and colleague Dr. Theo Dawson from Lectica. Lectica’s mission is to “help the world think better” by supporting optimal learning—the kind of learning that can be applied immediately in everyday life and work—wh…
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Many adults find it difficult to carve out the time for a formal learning experience or private study. When they do, they often feel that the practical benefits are marginal. What’s needed is a way to learn effectively from everyday experience. This is the role of the mighty micro-VCoL—and it’s not just for adults. Adult learners need a way to
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Unlike conventional study skills—which are designed primarily to help students learn factual information well enough to pass academic tests—VCoLs are designed to build the knowledge, deep understanding, and skills we need to navigate the complexity and ambiguity of our lives. Learning optimally is about learning the way the brain likes to learn—through reflective embodied practice.
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Optimal learning involves the application of knowledge in real-world, emotion-laden contexts. It effectively integrates new information into existing neural networks—building understanding and skill, and providing a robust foundation for future learning and development. This week, a client asked me to provide a succinct explanation of “optimal learning.” Here goes!
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Clarifying questions support learning, decision-making, and conflict resolution. When paired with active listening and VCoL (the virtuous cycle of learning), they also gradually broaden our perspectives, enhance our relationships, and create a platform for the development of complex skill sets like perspective coordination and collaboration. Clarifying questions support learning, decision-making, and conflict resolution.
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Super learners (a.k.a. learnaholics) feel great when they don’t understand. The rest of us are more likely to feel bad…
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In an ideal world, the complexity of leaders’ thinking is a good match to the complexity faced in their roles.
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⏰ Registration for LAP-1 ends December 30th! – https://mailchi.mp/3c455f74ce5f/registration-ends-dec-30
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🍂🌷 Just in time for the holidays! Lectica’s Fall/Spring newsletter – How learning works.
⏰ Early bird registration for LAP-1 ends Saturday! (December 1) – https://mailchi.mp/3715106f5cc4/early-bird-registration-ends-dec-1
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