A ready-to-run lesson plan for exploring how humans perceive, interpret, and make sense of information in real working environments. Designed for Crew Resource Management (CRM) and human factors training.
The session focuses on how information is acquired through the senses, how it is processed by the brain, and why perception is far less reliable than we tend to believe. Through real-world incidents, sensory illusions, and practical demonstrations, participants explore how easily the brain fills in gaps – and how this can lead to misinterpretation, bias, and error.
+ Main topic: Information acquisition and processing
+ Related topics: Human performance and limitations; situational awareness
+ Training length: 30 – 45 minutes
+ Included: Information processing examples, lesson plan with instructor notes, PowerPoint slides
+ Access: Instant download after payment
+ File formats: Pdf and PowerPoint
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Intuitive design
CORE ELEMENTS
The information acquisition and processing lesson plan begins with a real-world aviation incident in which visual perception led to a serious error, before expanding into a broader exploration of how the brain interprets sensory input. Through optical and auditory illusions, simple physical demonstrations, and guided reflection, participants experience first-hand how easily the senses can be misled. The lesson explores why established patterns are difficult to change, and how prior experience shapes perception and judgement.
INCLUDED
A fully structured session with clear trainer guidance. The material includes real-world case material, guided demonstrations, sensory illusion examples, and reflection
questions. Suggestions for relevant external video clips and soundtracks are included. The material is designed to be easy to use and adaptable, allowing you to deliver the session with confidence.
LENGTH
Designed to be flexible and can be used as a stand-alone session or as part of a longer CRM or Human Factors programme. It can be adjusted to allow more time for discussion and reflection, with trainer notes indicating where the session can be shortened or expanded depending on time and group dynamics. When delivered as a stand-alone session, the lesson takes approximately 30–45 minutes.
The Information Acquisition and Processing Lesson Plan is designed as a practical facilitation tool that makes perception, bias, and brain limitations visible. Through carefully chosen demonstrations and real-world examples, the lesson helps participants experience how confidently the brain can misinterpret information – and why awareness of this matters in everyday work.
The session is particularly well suited for CRM and Human Factors training, but also works effectively for flight instructors, healthcare educators, and trainers working in safety-critical or high-pressure environments where accurate perception and interpretation are essential. While aviation-inspired, the learning is not aviation-dependent and transfers easily across domains.
Developed by trainers for trainers, the lesson provides a structured and engaging way to explore how humans acquire and process information – and what it takes to strengthen awareness, adaptability, and judgement in practice.
We have gathered the most frequently asked questions from our customers to help you in the best way possible
The lesson plan is designed for trainers working with human performance, situational awareness, and cognitive limitations, including CRM and Human Factors trainers, flight instructors, healthcare educators, and professionals teaching safety or performance under pressure.
The purpose of the lesson is to increase awareness of how information is acquired through the senses, how it is processed by the brain, and why perception and interpretation are inherently fallible.
Participants gain a deeper understanding of how easily perception can be distorted, increased awareness of bias and habit-driven interpretation, and practical insight into how experience and neural pathways shape judgement and behaviour.
No. Aviation examples are clearly explained, and the learning points are universal. The lesson can be delivered effectively by trainers from non-aviation backgrounds.
No specialist equipment is required beyond standard classroom or training-room facilities, including a projector or TV (with a working speaker) and a flip chart or whiteboard.
