- You, like every human out there,
learn best by processing information in different formats.
Let me prove it to you.
Right now you're taking an online course
on a topic you need to know about.
After the course, you'll be so inspired by it,
you'll probably seek out other people
to talk to about it.
You'll help them by sharing what you found helpful,
and they'll help you cement what you learned.
As you continue to learn about the topic,
you'll be hungry for more information,
so you'll read blog posts, maybe even a book.
You'll download resources.
Then the big kahuna of learning formats,
you'll apply what you learned from the course
on an actual project,
which is always where you learn the most.
In training speak, we call what you just went through
a blended learning strategy.
Traditional learning tends to stress a single format,
a new hire onboarding class
that's a hundred percent instructor-led,
or a software-based course that's all elearning.
Ever taken those types of courses?
As a trainer, you know instinctively
that one format can't get the job done
and that different learning needs demand different formats.
The good news is that the technology associated
with digital learning gives you more options
so you can choose the format
that best suits the training need.
Need to provide some type of training
on a software that's often changing?
If so, you're probably thinking a downloadable job aid.
Need to provide a lot
of basic foundational knowledge on the subject
and make sure people understand it?
Well, that's a job for elearning.
Or maybe processes are changing so fast
that your company just want to give people a space
to connect and collaborate,
so you create a space for that
on the company's internal website or social platform.
I want to make one thing really clear.
Some instructors you work with,
especially those who aren't huge fans of technology,
might think the goal of your little digital learning project
is to replace your ILT, and that's just simply not true.
Digital learning is more about placing training
in the most appropriate format.
Take, for instance, role plays.
Role plays are perfect for ILT.
But a deep dive software training, not so much.
A blended learning solution is usually the best solution.
And the technology associated with digital learning allows
for the best blends.