Learning is a journey, often marked by a gradual transition from unconscious inexperience to unconscious mastery. This progression is captured in the widely recognized Four Stages of Competence model, which outlines the phases learners undergo as they develop new skills or knowledge. In this article, we will explore how Drillster’s adaptive microlearning app and methodology can enhance and accelerate learning at each stage.

1. Unconscious Incompetence

At the unconscious incompetence stage, learners are unaware of their lack of knowledge or skill. They do not know what they do not know, and a lack of awareness hides the lack of competence. When learners are unconsciously incompetent, they may not see the need to learn. Consequently, their motivation will be low. 

How Drillster Helps:

• Assessment-based learning: When incorrectly answering a question in the Drillster app, a competence gap is brought to light, making learners aware of areas of incompetence.
• Engagement through assessment-based learning: By presenting knowledge gaps in an assessment-based learning exercise, and not in a test, the incompetence is presented in a non-intimidating way. This motivates learners to take the first step toward learning.

2. Conscious Incompetence

Drillster’s assessment-based learning techniques have made learners aware of their lack of skill or knowledge. This can be uncomfortable but is essential for growth. Being aware that you’re incompetent can be demotivating. When trying to fix the incompetence, learners may feel overwhelmed by the perceived effort required. 

How Drillster Helps:

• Adaptive microlearning: Drillster breaks complex skills into manageable, bite-sized microlearning modules, making the learning process less daunting.
• Immediate feedback: corrective information shown after an incorrect response immediately fixes any knowledge or skill gap. 
• Proficiency gauge: learners can track their progress and see how their competence improves if they correctly answer questions, solve problems, or analyze dilemmas. This keeps them motivated.

Reinforcement: The Drillster algorithm lets learners revisit topics in a personalized and smart way. The Drillster app calculates the forgetting curve if learners stop practising. Just-in-time and spaced repetition will anchor and retain the acquired knowledge, awareness, and skills. This reduces the feeling of overwhelm.

3. Conscious Competence

When 100% proficiency is realized in a drill, the learner is consciously competent. At this stage, learners have acquired the necessary knowledge, awareness and skill, and must consciously apply it on the job. The learning process is still deliberate and requires reinforcement. Mistakes are common as skills are not yet second nature.

How Drillster Helps:

• Active Reinforcement: Drillster’s adaptive algorithms ensure learners consistently practice and reinforce their competencies for which the probability is highest that the competencies have declined due to the forgetting curve. Spaced repetition makes skills a second nature. 
• Contextual learning: Learners can apply their knowledge in realistic, practical exercises using scenarios, cases, situations and dilemmas. This bridges the gap between theory and on-the-job performance. It drives behavioral change.
• Retention Insights: Drillster calculates the forgetting curve per participant and per theme. This helps learners prioritise for which skills retention is at risk. 

4. Unconscious Competence

In the unconscious competence stage, learners can perform skills effortlessly and without conscious thought. Competence has become second nature. However, knowledge, awareness and skills risk to decline if not maintained and applied regularly. This is because of the forgetting curve.

How Drillster Helps:

• Ongoing competence maintenance: Drillster’s calculation of the forgetting curve and notification service will inform learners when it’s the best time to brush up on a competence.
• Define Challenges: Drillster can schedule periodic refreshers to prevent skill degradation, adapting to the organization’s specific skill needs. 

Drillster: A Partner for Lifelong Learning

By tailoring the learning experience to individual needs, Drillster empowers learners at every stage of the competence model. Assessment-based learning techniques, immediate feedback, spaced repetition and just-in-time refreshers ensure that learners not only acquire new skills but also r

When performing critical tasks, the most critical moment is when learners who are in the conscious competence stage tend to move into the unconscious incompetence stage. The Drillster way of permanent adaptive micro-learning prevents this, thus resulting in better on-the-job performance. It has demonstrably led to fewer human errors, fewer incidents, accidents, etc.