Are you excited about all the changes rippling through workplace learning?
You should be.
We’re incredibly fortunate to be working when so much change is rippling through the world of workplace learning.
These are the changes we’re facing:
A global pandemic prevented companies from delivering the same old classroom learning.
Leaders (and learners) have turned on their training departments in multiple industries, considering them at best slow, or at worst irrelevant.
Learners carry near infinite knowledge with them at all times.
One-size-fits-all training is going the way of MS-DOS.
Software and infrastructure have outstripped content, leaving a learning industry with capacity and possibility but fewer engaging and effective learning experiences than needed.
People who create learning content are professionalizing. It’s no longer enough to just have a pleasing personality and some subject-matter expertise.
Those of us who step will lead the change, design solutions appropriate for today’s world, and define new values.
Let’s take another look at the changes listed above.
A global pandemic has prevented companies from delivering the same old classroom learning.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a worldwide tragedy, stripping families of their loved ones, leaving survivors with diminished health, and creating untold economic losses.
Forgive me for mentioning a silver lining: the shutdown made it impossible for companies to do what they’ve always done.
Many leaders (and learners) have turned on the training departments in their company, considering them at best slow, or at worst irrelevant.
As a rapidly changing business world struggles to keep up, the need for learning has never been greater. Sadly, many training departments have failed to respond to new realities. Current circumstances make it unlikely that they will survive without rapid transformation.
Our audience carries near infinite knowledge with them at all times.
With endless possibilities on our devices we don’t need to remember facts, we can look them up. The learning teams can focus on key ideas and problem solving rather than just providing knowledge.
One-size-fits-all training is going the way of MS-DOS.
There’s a reason retailers offer their clothing sized to fit the individual. We lose our learners when content gets too easy or too hard. Now we can build choices into our deliverables, empowering learners to follow their own paths.
Software and infrastructure have outstripped content, leaving a learning industry with capacity and possibility but lacking the right content.
Learners have higher expectations than ever before, which will drive us to grow the quality we need.
There’s room for new people, and new ideas.
Possibilities are everywhere.
We’re going to create content which is both more challenging and more experiential.
We’re going to leave out what isn’t essential.
Whether you call yourself an instructional designer or a learning designer, whether you call it training or learning, this is the time to answer the call for the content our audience deserves.
Agility, good design, and insight will rise to the top. And your learners will reward you.