Rethinking Learning: The Story Behind the Learning Fresk at ISC Paris 

The Learning Fresk is the flagship educational innovation developed by the Active Learning Lab at ISC Paris. 

Inspired by the collaborative approach popularised by the Climate Fresk, it transforms educational research into an engaging, collaborative and evidence-informed methodology that helps learners, educators and organisations better understand how learning works. 

Built around 100 evidence-based learning cards organised into 13 thematic sets, the Learning Fresk encourages participants to explore the mechanisms of learning through collective intelligence, reflection and discussion. 

More than a workshop, it reflects ISC Paris’ commitment to transforming educational research into practical innovations with impact beyond the classroom. 

Why Learning Matters 

In a world shaped by artificial intelligence, rapid technological change and continuous upskilling, learning has become one of the most valuable human capabilities. 

Yet most people complete their education without ever understanding the mechanisms that influnce attention, motivation, memory, engagement or feedback. 

The Learning Fresk was created to make the science of learning accessible, actionable and collaborative. By helping participants understand how learning works, it empowers them to make more informed choices about how they learn, teach and support the development of others. 

What is the Learning Fresk? 

The Learning Fresk is an evidence-informed methodology delivered through collaborative workshops. 

Working in small groups, participants use 100 interconnected learning cards organised into 13 thematic sets to progressively build a shared understanding of learning. Through discussion and  collective reflection, they connect scientific concepts and create a visual representation of the cognitive, emotional, social and environmental factors that shape learning. 

Designed by the Active Learning Lab, the methodology bridges the gap between educational research and everyday practice. 

How Does the Workshop Work?  

The workshop unfolds in four collaborative stages: 

1. Discover: Participants explore key concepts related to learning and become familiar with the scientific evidence presented on each card. 
2. Connect: Working together, they identify relationships between concepts and progressively build a collective representation of the learning process. 
3. Reflect: Participants discuss their own learning or teaching practices, challenge assumptions  and share perspectives. 
4. Transform: The workshop concludes with a collective debrief, helping participants identify practical actions to improve learning, teaching and professional development. 

Typical duration: 

• Collaborative Workshop: A 2 to 4-hour interactive session designed for learners, educators and organisations. 
• Facilitator Training: A one-day programme enabling participants to become certified Learning Fresk facilitators and independently deliver the methodology. 

Scientific Foundations 

• The Learning Fresk draws on research from learning sciences, cognitive psychology, neuroscience and educational sciences. 
• Rather than presenting research through lectures, it enables participants to experience scientific concepts through collective intelligence, active participation and dialogue. 
• The methodology transforms complex research into practical insights that can immediately inform educational and professional practice.

The 13 Learning Themes  

The Learning Fresk explores thirteen complementary dimensions of learning: 

• Learning Strategies 
• Pedagogical Devices 
• Action Learning 
• Motivation 
• Assessment 
• Self 
• Mindset 
• Skills 
• Health 
• Disability 
• Social and emotional skills 
• Cognitive biases 
• Neuromythes 

Who Is It For? 

The Learning Fresk is designed for:

• Students and lifelong learners
• Educators and faculty members
• Academic leaders and programme directors
• Learning and development professionals
• Trainers, facilitators and coaches
• Organisations seeking to strengthen learning cultures
• Public institutions
• Anyone interested in understanding how learning works

Impact So Far 

Since its launch, the Learning Fresk has brought together more than 250 learners, educators and professionals through over 15 collaborative workshops. 

The methodology now includes 100 evidence-based learning cards, organised into 13 thematic sets, and has enabled the training of approximately 20 certified facilitators. 

Initially developed and tested within ISC Paris, it is progressively expanding beyond the School. Educators from Sorbonne University have been trained as facilitators, enabling the methodology to be disseminated within another higher education institution. 

The Learning Fresk has also been introduced into organisations. Workshops delivered with Kiloutou and Safran demonstrate its ability to support learning and development initiatives across diverse professional environments. 

These first collaborations reflect the ambition of the Active Learning Lab: creating educational innovations that are transferable, adaptable and continuously improved through collaboration. 

Why Is It Different? 

The Learning Fresk is more than a collaborative workshop. It is an open, evidence-informed methodology designed to transform educational research into collective intelligence. 

Rather than transmitting knowledge, it enables participants to construct their own understanding together by connecting scientific concepts, sharing experiences and reflecting on their practices. 

Its flexibility allows it to be adapted to higher education, professional development and organisatonal learning while maintaining a strong scientific foundation. 

Developed by the Active Learning Lab at ISC Paris 

The Active Learning Lab is ISC Paris’ hub for educational innovation. Its mission is to identify educational challenges, mobilise research, experiment with new methodologies and develop innovative learning experienes that create value beyond the School. 

The Learning Fresk is the Lab’s flagship initiative and reflects ISC Paris’ commitment to creating educational innovations that are collaborative, evidence-informed and scalable. 

Get Involved 

Whether you represent a university, a company or a learning community, we would be delighted to explore opportunities for collaboration. The Learning Fresk can be delivered through workshops, facilitator training, educational partnerships and collaborative innovation projects. 

Together, let’s build stronger learning cultures. 

Contact the Active Learning Lab 

📧 fresquedelapprendre@iscparis.com