Utilizing Technology to Humanize the Learning Experience
Wisetail | 5 min read
We are living in the future. Technological advancements and complex systems are increasingly commonplace, and you can see signs of automation existing on every level in every industry. While utilizing new technology to replace old processes may initially seem like a cold or alienating process, it can actually be used to enhance humanized learning.
Learning and Development professionals can calibrate these systems to support warm, personal employee learning experiences that enable flexibility, foster growth, and encourage employee empowerment. These are important factors in the employee retention equation, as they help businesses develop a stronger employee-oriented culture, a connected internal community, and a supportive, continuous learning experience. As the world continues to digitize and virtual tools grow more abundant, technology should be harnessed to support more human-centric learning strategies and enhance employee experiences.
L&D + LMS = More Human Oriented Learning
Learning Management Systems are an essential part of the L&D Tech Stack, and can help learning teams pivot and adjust in today’s ever-changing world. These tools are readily configurable, easily accessible, and act as a consistent resource for employees. L&D professionals that embed such technological resources at the center of employee learning experiences are breathing new life into their businesses. The LMS platform enables management to focus on individual learning needs and styles, present new information easily, and allows employees to learn in readily digestible chunks.
Employees, in turn, are empowered by their ability to access their company’s digital learning library to develop their skills, explore their professional interests, and even maintain certifications. This approach ensures each employee has the ability to own their learning journey, receives the same degree of care and nurture, and feels like a valued member of a broader community, rather than just a worker in an impersonal system.
Placing an Emphasis on How Humans Learn
Humans, while infinitely more complicated than machines, are not able to download new information and retain it with 100% accuracy. By placing an emphasis on how humans learn, and catering to their learning needs as individuals, companies are more likely to create a positive learning environment, and ensure employees’ long-term success.
Here are some nuggets to consider when implementing new strategies:
- Consider the ‘why’ in the learning process. Based on a recent Wisetail study, 75% of employees said it was helpful to understand why a task is important to a process or routine. This suggests that providing a deeper explanation of why a routine is performed and how it plays into the bigger picture can be helpful in memorization and performance of new responsibilities.
- Introduce new information over time. Incremental learning will allow for information to be retained with more accuracy over a period of time. The same study indicated that it takes about three task repetitions before a person remembers what to do, and roughly three weeks before an individual feels comfortable with their new responsibilities. Structuring learning around a more staggered itinerary is ideal.
- Employees are only human. Employees going through the onboarding process are absorbing a lot of new information. It is not so much a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ details are forgotten. By providing your team with the tools for continued learning and training, you will reduce your margin for human error, and increase compliance.
- Build the scaffolding for continuous learning. The Wisetail study also revealed that 75% of employees found continual training important to performing well in their roles. A healthy, continuous learning process satisfies humans’ natural inclination to develop and grow. Use your LMS to expand upon employees’ existing skills, and nurture interests to upskill and reskill as they grow proficient in their roles.
Humanizing Company Culture Near and Far
By nature, humans are inherently social. With the rising popularity of the remote work environment, LMS social features are more important than ever. Capabilities that enable collaboration, celebration of achievements, and encourage collective employee engagement allow company culture to exist beyond the office walls. Playful elements of gamification allow employees to interact with a competitive spirit, and reward each other for hard work, creative ideas, and timely solutions.
