Are you a modern learner? Find out how to achieve your true potential through Digital Learning

The constant evolution of the learning world has led to the modernised coined term of ‘Digital Learning’, a term that encompasses all types of learning facilitated by the use of digital technology, for the explicit purpose of training, learning or development (e.g. websites, e-books, webinars, online lectures, micro-blogging, podcasts etc.)

Online learning implies that the majority of the coursework is conducted online, through the use of the Internet (forums, emails, chats, shared documents etc.)

eLearning (also known as virtual learning) is the shortened term for electronic learning and generally refers to a course conducted entirely over the Internet

In the broader sense of the term, digital learning has become the most viable way of training and developing people in organisational settings. 2020 saw a big surge in popularity of digital learning, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, as many had to transition from face to face classroom training, to online training and e-learning

Online learning can be used for acquiring new skills like First Aid or Effective Time Management, broadening your knowledge on a topic you are particularly interested in, like Level 1 Food Safety and Hygiene or for compliance training such as Fire Extinguisher Awareness or Working at Height

Who is the ‘modern learner’? The modern learner is he or she whom is busy, savvy and hungry to learn, regardless of sex, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, educational background or religious belief

Online learning has features that better cater to the modern learner’s preferences, increasing its popularity and proving to be more effective in more than just one way; it retains engagement, it is time effective, it’s accessible from any device on-the-go, and it provides retainable knowledge in bite-sized chunks that are easy to absorb

Below are some of the most recognised benefits of modern eLearning:

• Consistency – each learner benefits from the same training experience, regardless of when and where they decide to take the course. Face to face training is susceptible to mistakes and the delivery can vary depending on how the content is presented by the trainer; training is often inconsistent and doesn’t always agree with the different learning styles
• Time and cost effective – learners can access content on demand, from anywhere and at any time. This means that learners don’t necessarily need to take time out for training and learning, and travel expenses are axed, saving companies a substantial amount of staff work time and money
• Increased retention – The latest figures show that the average attention span of any given millennial is 12 seconds, with Generation Z’s being as short as 8 seconds. This is why bite-sized courses with interactive features are more appealing to the modern learner, making the information intake much more retainable
• Quantifiable – eLearning is measurable. It can be allocated and distributed to a larger workforce as a one-time investment. Additionally, managers are able to view real-time progress if the training provider has a team’s dashboard
• Personalisation – eLearning can be versatile in catering to learners’ individual needs and training requirements, tailored to cover specific company targets and/or personal learning goals. It also allows learners to navigate at their own pace, at a time that suits them, making learning more flexible and accessible and therefore, appealing

Today’s modern learners are more prone to professional growth and upskill: the majority of employees are more loyal to organisations who foster continuous growth for their staff, enabling ample learning and development opportunities (LinkedIn’s 2018 Workplace Learning Report). As technology and trends continue to develop, organisations are adapting by subscribing to these new, more advanced learning methods as their tool of choice for delivering corporate training

Digital Learning and Technology

The CIPD has identified in their report on corporate digital learning that organisations use a range of various optimised technologies to facilitate content retention amongst staff. Let’s look at some examples:

• Virtual learning environments, online ‘classrooms’, webinars and other forms of networked eLearning
• Social media apps including Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook
• Integration of smartphone technology into the learning environment apps, such as kahoot and sli.do
• Artificial intelligence and machine-based learning in the eLearning environment to ‘push’ or suggest relevant content and resources to employees
• Opportunities for knowledge-sharing and management made possible by the fusion of various technologies

All these softwares and tools work on the concept of improving educational content delivery by using digital learning as the provider.

Learn how you can benefit from bespoke online learning with PD Training!

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