The goal of many trainings, is to develop skills that can be utilized in the real world. Many organizations may fear eLearning because on the surface it may appear to lack hands-on learning; however, in certain situations, eLearning can provide more direct application than in person training. The current technology used to develop eLearning courses allow for some unbelievable experiences that allow individuals to apply knowledge and practice transferable skills.
It is important to identify which skills are important to learn through the training. Create a clear understanding of what the learner needs to learn, and why they need to learn it. Once the desired outcomes are clear, learning developers can get creative in thinking of ways to design a course that encourages application and allows for the transfer of knowledge to real-life situations.
Scenario-Based Learning
Scenario based learning is one of the best ways to encourage learners to apply their knowledge. Scenario based learning allows you to incorporate real life scenarios into training through videos or simulations. Learners can face realistic challenges, make decisions, and work through a variety of situations to grow their skills and confidence. “Use impactful scenario-based learning strategies to provide experience to your employees and to support the application of learning on the job” (Kumar, 2023).
Encourage Reflection
“Only by reflecting on the subject matter and putting it into practice can online learners truly process the information” (Pappas, 2017). Reflection allows learners to take time to think about why the information the learned is important, and how it can relate to their day to day life. Without reflection, it can be easy to go through a training only to move on and forget about it afterwards. Some ways to encourage reflection are through blog posts, surveys, or journals prompts.
Provide Supportive Materials
Providing materials that learners can use and refer to after completing the training can be extremely beneficial. “Job aids provide clear instructions on how a particular task or a process is carried out” (Kumar, 2023). Creating materials that are readily available help employees to recall and apply information on the job. Supportive materials can include posters, PDFs, infographics, or checklists. “This sort of document is especially helpful when you’re teaching new procedures or adding new steps to existing ones.
Refresher Courses
Allowing learners to revisit material to refresh their memory is another way to provide spaced repetition, and ensure the learning sticks. Develop mini courses that learners can take to refresh their memory and skills. These courses can be taken 6 months or a year after the initial training.
It is critical to support employees to practice skills that will allow them to transfer learning from a course to the real world. This transfer of knowledge will boost employees performance, and their confidence on the job. For example, utilizing scenario based learning allows employees to practice making decisions in a safe environment, allowing them to feel more prepared on the job. If you are looking to revamp your training materials, EmergeID can guide you through solutions to support the transfer of knowledge.
References:
Cohen, D. (2023, March 27). 6 Strategies to Promote Transfer of Learning In the Workplace. 6 Strategies to Promote Transfer of Learning in the Workplace. https://www.shiftelearning.com/blog/skills-transfer-success-after-your-elearning-course
Kumar, S. (2023, April 11). 6 Ways To Support The Application Of Learning On The Job. Strategies to Implement Learning on the Job – eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/ways-to-support-the-application-of-learning-on-the-job
Pappas, C. (2017, March 22). 8 Ways To Encourage Online Learner Reflection In eLearning. 8 Ways to Encourage Online Learner Reflection in eLearning – eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/ways-encourage-online-learner-reflection-elearning
