Building Learner-Focused Learning Programs

Building Learner-Focused Learning Programs

Talent developers around the world realize that learners control their consumption of content. It is no longer sufficient to rely solely on pushing content to learners. Instead, learning in the flow of work is a priority. To this end, many organizations invested in Learner Experience Platforms with artificial intelligence that refines how learners engage with their content.

Let’s look at some of the positive outcomes of this approach:

• Competency driven learning
  Most popular learner experience platforms are built on a competency-based framework. All content is linked to skills and levels so that learners can focus on becoming proficient in specific areas. Competency development teams can assess trends and aggregate or build based on data.
• Shorter, focused learning units
  Focused content also means building for the lowest common denominator. Hence the best way to address a large possible target audience is to build short, focused learning units that can be strung together in learning pathways.
• Plethora of content
  The role of the learner experience platforms is to aggregate content and serve it up on a platter for learners to choose from. Allowing for integration with vendor partner platforms such as Harvard Business Review (HBR) and allowing access to content available in public domains, provides a wide assortment to choose from.
• Self-directed learning plans
  With the pool of content now available, learners have the freedom to direct their own learning plans to align with their personal and professional goals.
• Innovation in design
  The need for relevant, precise information is making developers push the envelope on design. The adoption of the humble PDF into interactive reinforcement documents or the use of contextual, story-based audiocasts have found favor with time-strapped, on-the-go learners.
• Something for everyone
  Blending different learning formats becomes second nature. Whether it is video, games, podcasts, vILT, iPDFs, or other formats, there are options for every type of learner – like a box of assorted chocolates.
• Social, collaborative engagement
  With the ability to follow groups, peers, and teams, learner experience platforms push the agenda on the social aspects of learning through recommendations and feedback. Also, with the option to integrate Microsoft Teams, the collaborative features allow for richer learning engagements.

While I have used learner experience platforms as the lens to illustrate shifts in the way we design learning, the real ‘hero’ of this piece is really the learner experience. The platform or technology is just the enabler. So long as you follow the principles illustrated above and make the learner experience the core of your talent development framework, you can achieve success irrespective of the technology.

– By Payal Jhurani, Director – Key Accounts at MPS Interactive Systems