5 Training Trends to Watch for…

 


Employee development and training is an important aspect every company needs if it wants to stay ahead of the competition. According to business experts on Chron, employee training results in more efficient problem-solving, and an overall improved office productivity. Learning and development (L&D) programs play a key role in retention too, since it’s an opportunity for employees to learn new skills and help them advance in their careers.

To ensure that you are developing effective training modules, here are a couple of trends to look out for.

Data Analytics

To deliver the best kind of employee training possible, you must determine several factors, such as: who you’re training, what kind of training they need, and which learning methods are best. For this reason, data proves extremely useful, as it provides you with tangible insights that can be measured.

An article by Roy Dekel discusses how analytics has been revealing new information about employees like never before—from how their work hours are best spent to which teams are most productive together. This is further supported by findings from Maryville University, which highlight the importance of data analytics in forecasting and predictive modelling. Based on the patterns derived, managers and L&D professionals can then use the data to make more informed decisions and avoid strategies that are ineffective and wasteful for resources.

Accessibility

With so much to do in the office, it seems unnecessary to allot an entire day or week to gather all your trainees (and trainers!) into one room to conduct your session. Instead, it’s more efficient to give them access to all the resources online so that they can review and learn at their own pace. Not only does this save everyone’s time, but it also allows employees to revisit certain lessons when they feel the need for a refresher.

Learning Preference-Based Approach

Everybody learns differently. In fact, former Harvard Professor Howard Gardner reveals how there are eight types of learning styles, which you’ll definitely observe among your team members. For instance, this is why auditory or kinesthetic learners struggle with visual presentations, while visual learners may have a harder time with numbers. As such, a non-standardized approach to training may be more prudent. Instead of giving everybody the same material, try creating multiple training modules, and have your employees choose their preferred courses. It may take more effort, but they’ll absorb the material much better.

Gamification

If you prefer conducting your training in person, that’s fine too. After all, there are benefits to learning in a more personal environment. Plus, attendees have the opportunity to ask the facilitator questions directly after the presentation. However, the challenge now lies in maintaining this seminar-type formula before people start getting bored.

One way to keep things interesting is by gamifying your presentation. For instance, you can split your module into “levels” or have a leaderboard for whenever someone successfully answers a question. Studies from the University of Toronto have found that bringing in-game characteristics such as competition, challenges, and terminology, is a proven strategy to boost learners’ motivation.

Mixed Reality (Immersion)

Mixed reality—or technology that blends virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR)—is nothing new. However, its impact on L&D is just beginning. For one, here at ellicom and OVA we decided to make corporate training more interesting by introducing mixed reality into programs. The platform, called StellarX, is a VR/AR-powered space that can simulate real-world scenarios to help trainees put their knowledge to the test. Whether it’s office scenarios, emergency situations, customer service, or other unique circumstances, experiencing the “real” thing via mixed reality is bound to make training programs more engaging.
When it comes to training, digital is the only way forward. L&D professionals have to stay on top of the latest tech trends to optimize the learning experience, develop new strategies, and ensure that they’re delivering the best training possible.

Exclusively written for ellicom.com

By Jemme Blem