More and more organizations are beginning to invest heavily in technologies for training and learning and development (L&D) purposes as such technology continues to get less and less expensive and as such technology becomes more and more pervasive and essential in employees’ everyday work lives.
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And as you begin to explore technology options and features, if you haven’t already, here’s a list of three tech trends for training and L&D you’ll want to know about. In tomorrow’s post, we’ll cover six more.
1. Mobile Learning Options and Features
In coming years, you’ll want training modules and learning content that are accessible on any type of mobile device at any time of the day. Most employees bring their own device to work nowadays anyway, and they will come to expect learning options to be available to them while they’re on the go every day. Otherwise, don’t expect them to be too engaged with your learning content.
Here are some things you’ll want to include in your mobile learning options:
- Microlearning modules and learning content that are distributed in bite-size amounts so that they’re easier to digest;
- An app or website portal with a responsive design so that all your learning content can be accessed and easily viewed and interacted with on a mobile device;
- A learning management system (LMS) that is easy to access and interact with from a mobile device;
- Cloud-storage options that allow learners to save and access learning files on their mobile device; and
- Enhanced cybersecurity to keep learners’ records and data secure.
2. Socially Driven Platforms and Learning
Keep in mind that most of your learners are already on social media platforms, are following blogs, and are engaging in other online discussions. In 2018, most people are adept at sharing information and engaging with one another, as they learn and prefer doing so through online social channels.
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So, you’ll want to consider making it easier for your learners to interact with one another as they cover certain learning material you’ve developed, published, or curated. Whether you host social discussions and chat rooms in your mobile-enabled LMS or use group pages hosted on social media sites isn’t necessarily that important—what’s important is that you allow learners to discuss learning material with one another somewhere online.
3. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
AR and VR technologies are becoming significantly less expensive and easier to implement. And employees thoroughly enjoy more immersive training and learning experiences.
Organizations are creating simulated environments for everything from routine safety training sessions to encouraging employees to practice their emotional intelligence skills. And some employers are even using gamified simulated environments and learning content to offer their employees immediate feedback and to keep employees motivated as they earn badges and other rewards in gamified simulated environments.
Tomorrow’s post will cover the remaining six tech trends for training and L&D you’ll want to know about.