The latest trend for corporate e-learning

Despite the fact some organisations used to be somewhat sceptical about adopting e-learning for training purposes, the progressive capabilities of technology mean this form of teaching is now difficult to ignore.

In fact, more and more businesses are implementing electronic media and communication technologies for educational purposes in the workplace. However, just like any other aspect of technology, it is crucial to stay on point with the latest trends for fear of getting left behind.

So, what exactly is the latest trend for corporate e-learning? Well, in recent years we have seen a number of tactics come and go, with varying degrees of success.

For example, big data has been on hand to justify expenditure through analysing the ROI of e-learning courses, while personalisation is yet another way of adjusting teaching materials to individual employees.

But it seems as though microlearning is really causing a stir in corporate e-learning circles right now. Combined with Spaced Repetition and gamification, this particular trend could transform the way you upskill and educate your workforce.

How and why is microlearning the next big thing?

As opposed traditional methods of training, which favours tedious and ineffective classroom-based coaching, microlearning is concerned with teaching individuals in small yet specific bursts. In addition to maintaining staff attention, microlearning can also improve knowledge retention rates.

One of the reasons why this trend has taken precedence for various companies is because of the nature of learners. By 2025, millennials will make up around 75% of the workforce, but the average attention span of this generation is just 90 seconds.

For this reason, short and snappy microlearning is seen as a much more productive way of teaching future workforces about critical concepts. But what practices and procedures can you implement to make microlearning work for your business?

Take things one step at a time

With microlearning, you cannot adopt the same approach as other training techniques. This means previous courses containing an abundance of learning materials must be broken down and split up into distinctive objectives.

Take things one step at a time and make sure the learner knows exactly what is required of them with each module. Only focus on one objective to ensure knowledge is transferred effectively. If you have too many expectations or intentions, the whole purpose of microlearning will be lost.

Use video or other entertaining mediums

When it comes to interacting with content online, millenials love videos. In fact, 70 per cent of this generation will visit YouTube on a monthly basis.

And there is no reason why you can’t take advantage of this with e-learning, as employees will be much more receptive to something they are familiar and comfortable with, such as videos. However, you may want to explore this idea further by adopting other entertaining or interactive mediums too.

Don’t skimp on quality

Regardless of how useful a video’s content may be, leaners won’t respond well if there is a distinct lack of quality. Millenials will instantly reject training materials if the footage is grainy or the editing shoddy because they have gotten use to a certain standard of video.

Thankfully, making videos is remarkably easy these days, which means you shouldn’t struggle to produce something that your employees react and respond to positively.

Don’t waffle on for too long

Along with quality, the length of video training materials should also be a key concern. Learners will want to know the purpose or meaning of a video straight away, so try not to stray over four minutes with each objective or concept.

Don’t waste time on explaining something your employees can find out elsewhere and have confidence they already understand the fundamental aspects of what you are going on about. Avoid talking down to them or adding insincere dialogue either.

Ask learners to demonstrate their knowledge

There will be no point in producing a slick video if your learners can’t actually demonstrate what they found out. So, think of ways you can prove learning took place, which also capitalise on the benefits of e-learning.

For example, you could get your employees to make their own 30-second video, which explains the lesson’s most important points. Alternatively, you can take advantage of two other recent e-learning trends.

Spaced Repetition and Gamification

With Spaced Repetition and gamification, your employees will be taking part in a form of microlearning, but also demonstrating their knowledge at the same time. What’s more, staff are bound to enjoy and be engaged by the medium these two are presented on.

Spaced Repetition takes advantage of the fact we remember or learn items when they are studied over a prolonged time span. Due to this lengthy learning process, each individual teaching tends to be quite short, just like microlearning.

With Wranx’s Spaced Repetition solution, employees are asked how comprehensively they understand a question rather than simply taking a guess. This makes it is possible to prioritise topics the leaner doesn’t know too well, which is a much more effective way of improving someone’s long term memory.

Spaced Repetition can also be combined with gamification, a science driven technique that incentivises employees to take more lessons and compete with colleagues. Motivation and engagement levels remain high, as gaming is a format millenials have an interest in and are familiar with.

So, even though microlearning might well be the latest trend for corporate e-learning, you shouldn’t ignore the potential of using this in conjunction with Spaced Repetition and gamification.