In today's fast-paced business world, it's more important than ever to make sure your employees are well-trained and able to perform their jobs effectively. However, traditional learning methods like classroom training or self-paced e-learning courses can't provide the context and immediacy employees need to apply their new skills on the job. That's why an LMS (learning management system) that supports learning on the job is critical to employee success.
So what exactly is "learning in the flow of work"? It's a method of providing employees with the training and resources they need, exactly when they need them, so they can learn through hands-on practice and receive real-time feedback. This approach, sometimes called "performance support," is much more effective than traditional training methods because it allows employees to learn and apply new skills in the context of their work.
But not all LMS systems are created equal, so it's important that the LMS you choose supports learning in the workflow. Below are some features to look for:
Contextualized learning: An LMS that supports learning in the workflow should provide employees with training and resources that are directly applicable to their job tasks and responsibilities. This allows employees to learn in the context of their work, which increases the relevance of knowledge and facilitates its application in the workplace.
On-demand access: The LMS needs to allow employees to access training materials and resources at any time, from any location, and on any device. This provides employees with the flexibility to learn when it is most convenient for them and in a way that is compatible with their work schedule.
Personalized learning paths: Personalized learning paths based on the individual employee's role, skills, and experience are an important part of on-the-job learning. This allows employees to focus on the training and resources that are most relevant to their needs and ensures that they do not waste time on irrelevant content.
Real-time feedback and support: Look for an LMS that provides real-time feedback and support as employees apply their new skills on the job. This allows employees to receive feedback on their performance and get guidance and support when needed.
Assessments embedded in the workplace: An LMS that supports on-the-job learning should also include job-embedded assessments that allow employees to demonstrate their understanding and application of new skills in a real-world work scenario. This can help managers assess how well employees are applying the knowledge they have acquired.
Collaboration and sharing: Collaboration and knowledge sharing are an integral part of learning in the flow of work. By creating an online learning community where employees can collaborate, share knowledge, and help each other solve problems, an LMS can foster a culture of learning and collaboration that helps employees improve their skills and perform better in the workplace.
Integration with collaboration platforms: An LMS that integrates with your workplace collaboration platform can help learners continue their learning journey while working and not only when engaging directly with the training programs on the LMS. Some LMSs, such as myQuest, offer an advanced integration with Microsoft Teams, which allows employees to submit work-related questions to the myQuest app on Teams. The app can then connect the employee with relevant experts from the organization or automatically send an answer from the LMS's knowledge base.
In summary, integrating learning into the workflow is critical to the success of your employees. By using an LMS that supports learning in the workflow, managers can ensure that their employees are well-trained and able to do their jobs effectively.