Keep Training Going During The Holiday Season
Ramp up employee interest through microlearning on mobile technology
Posted on 01-06-2020, Read Time: Min
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Training managers are often hesitant about implementing new training programs during the holiday season– participation can easily drop during December and January because employees are distracted.
In fact, 70% of employees say they are significantly more stressed during the holidays than the rest of the year. This is understandable, considering end-of-year business gets busier, the flu season begins, weather conditions can limit transportation, and school breaks impact employees with children.
But when training and performance support has a direct impact on your company’s bottom line, postponing training programs is not always an option.
So, how can you engage a distracted workforce?
Mobile technology can create memorable learning paths because frankly, people are glued to their cell phones. In today’s technological world, it can be very hard to get and hold people’s attention. Luckily, new technologies like mobile allow for instant engagement that lasts.
Don’t wait! Begin training through microlearning, bite-sized units that employees can access from their mobile devices.
Microlearning
What is microlearning, exactly? Well, it consists of knowledge nuggets, short bursts of information that are three to five minutes, or shorter. This type of training is often labeled “learner-centric,” because employees control the pace of information and engage with content on their own time.
A 2015 Microsoft study reported that the average human attention span is eight seconds, down from 12 seconds in 2000. With limited and decreasing attention spans, microlearning helps learners become more focused and content become more digestible.
According to EHS Today , microlearning is perfect for:
A 2015 Microsoft study reported that the average human attention span is eight seconds, down from 12 seconds in 2000. With limited and decreasing attention spans, microlearning helps learners become more focused and content become more digestible.
According to EHS Today , microlearning is perfect for:
- When your employees need to be prepared for an upcoming task
- When you want to increase awareness of an issue before it becomes a problem
- When you have limited time to train
- When you have a limited budget to train
In addition, microlearning is an excellent supplement to in-class learning. Reminders sent via text message can drastically increase content retention.
Incorporating Microlearning into Your Training Programs
Microlearning can be applied to all phases of the training process:
- Before Class Begins: Focus on content with precise learning objectives. Send employees text messages with links to watch short videos, reminders to complete work, or summarize subjects to be covered in upcoming classes so learners are mentally prepared.
- During Class: Store important content from your Learning Management System (LMS) on a mobile web site. Include buttons that connect to your LMS pages.
Your mobile platform acts both as a repository for content needed instantly, or as a portal where content can be easily discovered.
- Testing: Text a link to employees scheduled for testing, employees click the link, take the test on their smartphone and will be done in minutes.
- Polls and Surveys: Text link to a poll and get results within minutes.
Employees prefer this method over answering an email and completing a long survey
- Between Classes and Beyond: Set up “drip” texts to continue learning over the next several months. Include links to videos and exercises.
A Powerful Tool
Microlearning is a powerful tool to add to your training program. Its short duration, convenience, and flexibility is ideal for today’s tech-savvy workforce.
With microlearning, you don’t have to give up on training during the holiday season.
Simply adjust your programs to a mobile platform and engage employees on the device that everyone carries: their cellphone.
With microlearning, you don’t have to give up on training during the holiday season.
Simply adjust your programs to a mobile platform and engage employees on the device that everyone carries: their cellphone.
Author Bio
| Kim Peterson is a writer for Engage by Cell. Visit www.engagebycell.com Connect Kim Peterson |
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| Molly Larsen is Content Marketing Specialist at Engage by Cell. Visit www.engagebycell.com Connect Molly Larsen |
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