Learning and Development Strategies 2022: What trends are here to stay with online learning?

It is evident that in the past two years the way in which organisations strategize in terms of learning and development has changed dramatically. For so long, classroom-based or in-person training was the leading training method. However, as the global landscape evolved and the pandemic impacted the every day lives of millions, organisations had to find a new, better and more intuitive solution. This is where online training or elearning came into play. The pandemic meant that adoption of online learning was at an accelerated rate.

In 2022, “normality” has somewhat resumed, which begs the question - which trends are here to stay when it comes to online learning? From a business point of view, we must analyse and evaluate which trends have had the greatest and most successful impact on our businesses. Measuring return on investment when it comes to online learning can be tricky, but some useful tips on measuring ROI can be found in our previous article HERE.

Trend 1 – Blended Learning for Hybrid Workers

As employees return to the office, we adapt a more hybrid work arrangement. Many are splitting the working week between their offices and their home workspace. As a result, blended learning is one trend that is here to stay. For example, mandatory safety training such as manual handling training is compulsory by law and therefore all employees (whether remote, office based or hybrid) must complete this. We can now complete the theory element of manual handling training online if a practical session is complete within 30 days of completing the theory. This is a more time efficient and cost effective solution for organisations.

The key to successful blended learning is a hybrid training strategy that can communicate effective with and actively include hybrid workers whether they’re at home or in office. This is also where an intuitive learning management system, like SAFEWARE comes into play. Having the capabilities and functionalities to host training content, manage all training records & certification and generating reports that monitor the progress of users (whether home or at the office) in one central location. In times of compliance audits, HR departments can access all certification with ease. To find out more about SAFEWARE please call us on 0818 315 415 or email info@occupli.com to arrange a demo.

Trend 2 – Mobile Learning

The integration of mobile learning into organisation learning and development strategies has been slowly increasing, but because of the global landscape this integration was also accelerated at an alarming rate in the last two years. It is proven to boost employee engagement when it comes to their online learning.  To read more on how online training can improve employee engagement please click HERE. The use of mobile devices when it comes to online training is a way of embracing technology. For example, when it comes to site safety inductions the use of the mobile device can allow you to log into your learning management system and complete the site safety induction before even stepping on a site or into an office. This immediately mitigates risk for the employee, contractor or business, and is favourable to insurance companies and auditors. As mobiles are handheld devices, they are carried everywhere, which makes online training feasible at any time, day or night. It also allows users to have immediate access to any training updates and portals on their learning management systems. With SAFEWARE, users can scan a QR code for automatic registration, making the UX even more efficient when it comes to mobile training. To find out more about SAFEWARE please call us on 0818 315 415 or email info@occupli.com to arrange a demo.

Blended learning for hybrid workers and mobile learning are two trends that will remain consistent across organisation’s online training strategies. With the right learning management system, any organisation can leverage their employees engagement and productivity through incorporating these trends.

Assisting With Company Adaptability Through Blended Learning

In recent times, when reviewing the values of an organisation, adaptability has become more important. Evolving technologies and sectors are putting an emphasis on adaptability and evaluating companies’ capabilities for quick change.

With the current climate, and the impact of coronavirus, these organisations have had to prove their capability in pivoting their approach in terms of both operations and strategy. The pandemic has forced organisations to change the way in which they work, restructuring their everyday procedures. This new approach is requiring employees to adapt. They are assessing new tools and ways of learning, to ensure productivity.

As well as operations, the need for adaptability now branches out to learning and development. In review of training programmes, organisations who have not had an online training solution up to this point are hitting a stumbling block.

The benefits of blended learning stretch further than the capabilities of customisation and record management. The most crucial benefits of having an online learning management system during times of change include adaptability. Having an intuitive online platform and tools for learning and development can make for a seamless transition. This article will take a more in-depth view through the advantages of how blended learning can assist with company adaptability. These include how it can:

·        Help to standardise training for remote or distance learners

·        Assist organisations to pivot their learning as required

·        Provide an array of resources to benefit learners

Helps to Standardise training for remote or distance learners

A blended approach is a fantastic way to standardise learning for organisations who find their employees in an array of locations working remotely. Classroom based training across multiple locations can lack consistency and standardisation. A learning management system can offer a central location for learning, along with providing record and certification management, notification processes, automation, gamification and much more. To assimilate classroom based and online training would offer a balances and consistent message, with readily available content to all learners.

Blended learning allows organisations to roll out training to all employees together. allows an organisation to function.

Assists organisations to pivot their learning as required

Having an online learning management system that aligns with classroom-based training signifies that the organisation would have the specific tools in place to make training consistent if required to pivot in their approaches to change. Once again, referring back to the global pandemic as an example of a severe grounds for change in an organisation. If a decision involving change to L&D arises, communication within the business between management and staff will be made more harmonious if the organisation has an applicable platform in place.

It will give the employees a chance to utilise a different resource for training (further explained in my next point); allowing for adaptability in terms of changing work process and flows. This contributes to a long-term success for the organisation overall.

Provides an array of resources to learners

It would be imprudent to believe that all training can take place in one learning situation. Different topics can often require different types of training. For example, manual handling training, which all employees must undertake if they are required to move objects and loads. This training requires a practical session in addition to theoretical elements of training. Blended learning offers learners a variety of resources when it comes to their training.

Although there are benefits in classroom-based training, i.e interaction and group discussion, the blended approach to training is often beneficial in terms of resources. Staff leave the session with little more than their notes and proof of assessment. This is where a blended solution can be an advantage. Simply, storing training material on a learning management training allows learners to reference back to their training, which is not always a capability for classroom-based learners.

Blended learning has the added benefit for learner preference. We all learn in different way and our brain processes information differently. Blended learning offers a variety of modalities. Allowing learners to engage with training which they believe helps them to process information more efficiently. This can lead to better employee engagement, and overall, better productivity. Your learners no longer need to be limited in their learning capabilities.

If your company is struggling with adaptability and would like to know more about branching into a more intuitive and inclusive system, please get in touch. SAFEWARE offers a platform that best suits your company needs. Discuss your options for building a training infrastructure based on a blended learning model.