How Organizations Can Phase Into Digital Learning
In this modern world, trends catch on fast and, as a result, it is hard to find a respectable corporate organization that isn’t using eLearning, online learning or any other digital learning methodology to train their employees these days. However, the problem isn’t that corporate organizations aren’t using digital learning, it is that they’re still using strategies and technology that went obsolete in the last decade. A number of organizations that had been using digital learning and getting effective results in the past, now complain that digital learning isn’t as effective now.
The reason behind this phenomenon is the fact that they haven’t been keeping up with digital learning and development trends. Advancements in technology have left no industry untouched in the last decade, and to think that the same techniques, strategies, and technology can be used decade after decade without any changes is foolish, to say the least. Organizations need to embrace modern digital learning techniques and technology if they want their L&D programs to be effective once again. As to how to go about phasing into modern digital learning from their old ways, this is what will be discussed in this article.
1. Move Your Digital Learning Courses From Flash To HTML5
Flash, while once the gold standard of eLearning courses, is now breathing its last breath. HTML5 has replaced Flash, which helps build eLearning courses which are automatically responsive, and thus can be run on smartphones and other mobile devices, like laptops and tablets. Mobile learning is getting more and more attention with passing time and is likely going to replace eLearning completely sometime in the future. Thus, organizations need to plan and migrate all their relevant eLearning courses from Flash to HTML5 as soon as possible.
2. Get Rid Of Hour-Long eLearning Courses And Go For Microlearning
The time of hour-long eLearning courses that required employees/learners to sit in front of a personal computer to consume the course is over. Microlearning is what’s relevant in the present, which means that organizations need to create courses that are not only short (we’re talking no longer than 5 minutes) but use a number of engaging formats and strategies such as video-based learning, gamification, simulations, scenarios, and 3D models. Ask your digital learning designers to research and look up how microlearning modules are designed, and then create bite-sized learning that has minimal text, is mobile-first (designed to be accessed mainly on mobile devices) and can be accessed anytime by a learner on their smartphone via a learning portal or app of some sort.
3. Create A Library Of Digital Learning Courses
In order to turn their employees into self-directed learners, organizations need a robust LMS (Learning Management System) or an LXP (Learning Experience Platform), preferably cloud-based, which has a growing portfolio of digital learning courses which can be accessed anytime through all types of devices. This will allow learners to access any digital learning course at any time and any place they want, essentially giving them a whole library full of training modules at their fingertips. You’ll be surprised at the spike in employee performance after you empower them in such a manner.
4. Constantly Update Your Digital Learning Courses
Having a cloud-based LMS or LXP will also allow digital learning designers or SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) to update digital learning courses from their computers, laptops or mobile devices whenever and wherever they want. Updating digital learning courses is very important because relevant skills and knowledge change, and you wouldn’t want your employees to have outdated or obsolete knowledge. Updating digital learning courses is also important because learning strategies might change, and if you find that a new way to present information or train learners better, you can update your courses or modules accordingly.
Change is the only constant. Keeping up with the times requires planning and investment, but gives you a great ROI. Times are changing, and it is better to be ready by staying up-to-date with the contemporary digital learning strategies and technology, than having to catch up later when it has become the norm, only to find out that the trends are on the change again.
Originally published at cblpro.com.
