New Methods for Workplace Training
Whether you’re the employer or the employee, you know that continuous improvement and staying up-to-date in your field is critical to keeping your company competitive and your customers happy. For professional and scientific fields, ongoing training may be required to comply with professional standards. Technology and research have added several new methods for workplace training to traditional, and still effective, instructor-led training programs. Employers may deploy any of these new methods, and they may combine them with more traditional classroom programs in a “blended learning” approach.
“Social Learning,” Job Shadowing, and Job Rotation
These are all ways of learning by doing, typically involving more experienced employees helping new hires get oriented and see how things work. Alternately, experienced employees can try on a new role and gain a higher-level view of how different jobs within the company fit into the operation as a whole. Another kind of “social learning” is where experienced employees preparing to take on leadership roles benefit from mentoring by senior managers.
Computer-Based Learning, Simulations, and Games
Computer-based learning ranges from scheduled webinars that employees access from their desks to asynchronous online training programs they can complete at their own pace, taking assessments as they go to measure their understanding of the material. Simulations have gone beyond artificial cockpits for pilot training to encompass realistic recreations of stressful conditions in other highly-skilled jobs that involve split-second decision-making, such as medical professions.
Some organizations are adding “gamification” to training, using customized computer games with reward systems like earning badges or opening new levels to motivate employees to learn in a fun, engaging way. These games test skills with timed activities, interactive assessments, and videos followed by quizzes to test apprehension. Some large companies have even employed virtual reality games to train employees in safe environments where they can learn from mistakes without risking harm.
Even in fields that require adherence to strict technical standards, courses may be available online for those who can’t travel to centralized training, conferences, or continuing education seminars. Conversely, trainers in these complex fields may travel to your location to provide courses and serve as a resource for questions and issues.
Mobile Microlearning
Sometimes, information is best absorbed in small bites. “Microlearning” is a new kind of computer-based learning that lets employees seek out training as they need it. Microlearning provides a brief, discrete chunk of information that can provide a quick product or policy update, or teach a worker how to complete a simple process. Microlearning works will on mobile devices.
Most workers have already been exposed to many of these new methods for workplace training and can provide feedback on what approach works best for them. Take their opinions into account for the best possible outcome.
