In this post I will cover what is trending in the Learning and Development Industry. The following topics can be insightful to help you make informed decisions in your company.
Microlearning
In a corporate setting, employees often find themselves in multiple projects and fulfilling various demands simultaneously. With a busy schedule, there is rarely any time to consider personal development. Therefore, microlearning is the most significant trend we have seen develop over the years. I enjoy microlearning because it can be done anytime and anywhere, which is the flexibility many employees seek. To create a great micro-learning program, the learning session must be specific to a main topic, and after completing it, the learner should feel equipped to try it. An example of microlearning is when your company uses a software that has multiple capabilities. In these cases it is advised to create micro classes specific to individual tasks. Microlearning should always be direct, specific and support the learner to fulfill immediate needs.
Gamification
Another trend that is gaining more momentum in a corporate setting is gamification. There is undoubtedly some prejudice when using the word game at work, so I prefer calling it ludic learning or introducing ludic activities in corporate learning environments. Semantics aside, everyone enjoys winning, gaining prizes, or participating in something fun. There is a time and a place to include ludic activities, but they are highly effective in boosting engagement and motivation. In one of my previous jobs, we had a jeopardy-style game at the end of new employee orientation. The questions were based on the content covered by Human Resources, Safety and Technical, and GMP training. The class played in groups; the winning group received company lunch bags, but everyone got candy for participation. In another post we will dive deeper into gamification but it is a trend worth watching closely.
Virtual Reality
Since we are on the subject, virtual reality simulations will be the next big trend we will see take over corporate training. The reason they are interested is to fulfill technical training that requires specific manual skills. For example, if you work in a biosafety cabinet, there are certain things that you can't do because they will contaminate what you are working on. Therefore, an excellent way to provide individual practice is by having these virtual activities, and once the learner obtains the desired level, then they can perform in real life. One downside is the investment; you would need adequate space for this, proper tools, and the software to be created or changed for what you want to teach, and employees need to leave their areas to complete this training. It is not something corporations are jumping on right now, but it's worth checking out and staying up-to-date.
Artificial Intelligence
However, we are already in the future when it comes to AI. Many software like Vyond and Canva have already created AI-generated capabilities for their platforms. They are making Content development faster. I am a massive fan of Grammarly, which uses an AI assistant to review my writing. I see AI being incorporated into various levels of businesses, so a new skill that employees must develop is how to interact with and command AI to do its job. In my research, there are AI tools that can generate answers, so if an employee doesn't know what to do, AI can be helpful. With that, it is still important to note that AI cannot perform observations, nor does it have the skills to create an effective learning program for the need. A great example here would be of people working in a clean space and not washing their hands properly. AI is rational and will say you need hand-wash training, but that isn't the case. These employees know how to wash their hands, and to get to the root cause of the problem, a human-to-human conversation must happen.
Personalized Learning
Finally, the last trend in corporate training and development is personalized learning. Instructional designers are becoming learning experience designers who showcase their skills beyond creating e-learning; instead, they create the right learning experience for the audience. However, this requires knowledge of multiple software, and it isn't an entry-level job. The best way to tailor the learning is by having an LMS that allows training professionals, HR, and managers to create curriculums based on individual roles. By doing this, learning can incentivize performance reviews and promotions. An employee wants to feel appreciated and cared for, and showing that you care by investing in their learning and development can reduce turnover and boost employee satisfaction.
I hope you enjoyed this deep dive and that this knowledge benefits the Learning and Development initiatives in your company.