NOT clean. NOT pretty. STILL WORTH IT.

Learn Ugly is a space for learning how to learn—with real tools, real emotions, and no need to fake perfection.

Teaching people to use

READILY AVAILABLE technologies like

AI, multimedia,

and BASIC software

in practical,  human-centered ways.

Learning isn’t Neat And tidy—it’s full of restarts and stumbles...but that's what makes it work.

Featured Articles

Blog
Why Experts Get It Wrong
Why Experts Get It Wrong

Think experts always know best? Even good intentions and deep knowledge can get in the way of clarity, connection, and real understanding.

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Why We Give Experts Too Much Credit
Why We Give Experts Too Much Credit

It’s easy to stay quiet when someone sounds sure — but confidence, credentials, and conformity can all blur the line between what we’re told and what we know deep down.

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Featured Videos

Videos
Psychomotor Taxonomy and the Flow State
Psychomotor Taxonomy and the Flow State

A breakdown of the psychomotor domain—explained through Beat Saber, VR workouts, and the pursuit of flow. Physical learning, mapped step by step.

How do you know when you’ve really learned a physical skill—when it just clicks? In this video, Kevin breaks down the psychomotor domain taxonomy through the lens of Beat Saber, a VR rhythm game that doubles as an intense workout. Each level of psychomotor development—from imitation to naturalization—is explored through real gameplay experience, showing how physical skills move from awkward trial to effortless flow.

Along the way, Kevin reflects on:

  • How each psychomotor stage shows up in everyday life

  • The importance of sequence and repetition in physical skill-building

  • What it means to “learn with your body”

  • How the theory of flow (from psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi) connects to naturalized performance

Whether you're learning to drive, dance, or slice VR blocks to a Metallica beat, this is an honest, practical guide to understanding movement, mastery, and motivation.

Exploring the Affective Domain: How Emotions Drive Learning
Exploring the Affective Domain: How Emotions Drive Learning

A walkthrough of how emotional connection, values, and belief systems shape learning. This is about more than facts—it’s about meaning, motivation, and identity.

This video explores the Affective Domain—a powerful framework for understanding how emotions, values, and belief systems drive real, lasting learning. Kevin and AI co-host Claire break down the five levels of the affective domain taxonomy: from simple awareness to internalized values that guide identity and behavior. Whether you're an educator trying to inspire your students, a content creator aiming for deeper engagement, or a learner wanting to feel more connected to what you're studying, this taxonomy provides a roadmap for change that’s rooted in emotion, not obligation.
Includes practical examples, classroom applications, and insight into how emotional buy-in can transform passive attention into meaningful action.

Behind the Scenes: Programming ChatGPT as an AI Student
Behind the Scenes: Programming ChatGPT as an AI Student

A look inside how ChatGPT was prompted, voiced, and animated to become a co-hosting AI student for an upcoming video on motivation and learning design.

This behind-the-scenes video walks through the creative process of turning ChatGPT into an AI student co-host for a YouTube video. From crafting the persona prompt to managing voice interaction using the advanced voice feature, Kevin explains how to design a responsive AI presence that adds depth and realism to educational content. He also shares how voice synthesis (via ElevenLabs) and animation tools (like D-ID) bring the character "Claire" to life.
Whether you’re curious about AI integration in learning environments or just love seeing messy creative workflows, this video offers a transparent look into how it all comes together.