Corporate training is an effective way to ensure employees are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for the work and a positive strategy to improve an organisation’s employer brand. As workers learn and evolve, the company itself grows and can face new challenges.
However, in order to truly be effective, corporate training programs require a critical factor: engagement. Training initiatives can be great, but if employees are not engaged, these efforts will be wasted.
So, how can companies boost engagement, ensuring people are absorbing information and retaining knowledge? This is what we’ll cover in this article. As blended learning initiatives for corporate training become more common, companies face yet another challenge of captivating learners’ attention.
Join us as we discuss six strategies you can use to improve people’s experiences with learning opportunities.
What is Blended Learning?
After the COVID-19 pandemic, it is no surprise that blended learning is here to stay. If you are unfamiliar with the term and how it fits the corporate setting, fear not!
Blended learning in corporate settings refers to a training or educational approach that combines traditional face-to-face instruction with online learning activities. It integrates the benefits of both traditional classroom learning and digital resources to create a comprehensive learning experience.
This approach offers flexibility in terms of when and where employees can engage with the material. They can access online resources outside of scheduled training sessions, which is particularly advantageous for remote or distributed teams. Additionally, the content can often be tailored to individual learning styles and preferences, allowing for a more personalised learning experience.
By combining various learning modalities, blended learning can cater to different learning preferences and accommodate diverse skill levels within a corporate environment. The interactive nature of online resources can also enhance engagement and retention of information.
The approach can also be more cost-effective than traditional classroom-based training, as it reduces the need for extensive travel, venue rentals, and printed materials. It also allows for scalability, as digital resources can be easily replicated and distributed to a large number of employees.
As popular as this approach has become, it also poses some challenges, especially when it comes to learner engagement:
Technology Issues
Learners may encounter technical difficulties when accessing online learning platforms or digital resources, such as slow internet connections, compatibility issues with devices, or difficulties navigating unfamiliar interfaces. These technical challenges can disrupt the learning process and diminish engagement.
Distractions and Time Management
In a blended learning environment, learners must manage their own time and stay focused on their studies amidst numerous distractions, such as email notifications, social media, and other work responsibilities. Poor time management skills and competing priorities can hinder engagement and lead to procrastination.
Motivational Challenges
Maintaining motivation and commitment to learning can be challenging in a blended learning setting, particularly for self-directed learners. Without the accountability of regular in-person classes or face-to-face interactions with instructors, learners may struggle to stay motivated and may lose interest in the material over time.
5 Strategies to Boost Engagement
As discussed, engagement is key to the success of corporate training initiatives. Still, it can be a particularly difficult task when blended learning is the norm.
Boosting engagement requires thoughtful planning and implementation. Here are six strategies companies can use:
1. Interactive content creation
Develop interactive online modules that encourage active participation. Incorporate elements such as quizzes, polls, simulations, and branching scenarios to make the learning experience more engaging and immersive.
Interactive content creation is crucial for blended learning initiatives as it enhances engagement, retention, and overall learning outcomes. It captures learners’ attention and encourages active participation. By incorporating elements such as quizzes, simulations, and interactive videos, companies can create a dynamic learning experience that keeps learners engaged and motivated.
This strategy promotes deeper learning and better retention of information. Learners are more likely to remember key concepts when they are actively involved in the learning process through activities such as scenario-based simulations or interactive exercises.
Here’s how organisations can put this strategy into practice:
Use Authoring Tools
Companies can use authoring tools specifically designed for creating interactive e-learning content. These tools often come with pre-built templates and interactive elements that make it easy to develop engaging content without requiring extensive programming knowledge.
Incorporate Multimedia Elements
Incorporate multimedia elements such as videos, animations, and audio clips to enhance the interactivity of the content. Interactive videos, for example, allow learners to make choices or interact with the video content, increasing engagement and immersion.
Gamify Learning
Gamification is an effective way to make learning more interactive and engaging. Companies can incorporate game-like elements such as points, badges, and leaderboards into their training programs to motivate learners and enhance their learning experience.
Create Branching Scenarios
Develop branching scenarios that present learners with decision points and consequences based on their choices. This interactive storytelling approach allows learners to explore different paths and outcomes, making the learning experience more engaging and relevant.
Include Quizzes and Assessments
Incorporate quizzes, assessments, and knowledge checks throughout the training program to reinforce learning objectives and provide learners with opportunities for self-assessment. Immediate feedback on quiz responses can further enhance engagement and retention.
2. Gamification
Integrate gamification elements such as leaderboards, badges, points, and rewards into the training program. Gamified activities can increase motivation, competitiveness, and enjoyment, leading to higher levels of engagement and participation.
Gamification, the application of game design elements and principles in non-game contexts, is increasingly being recognised as a valuable strategy for enhancing blended learning initiatives in corporate settings. It makes learning more enjoyable and engaging, tapping into learners’ intrinsic motivation, and encouraging them to actively participate and progress through the training program.
By providing clear goals, feedback, and incentives, gamification motivates learners to persist in their learning efforts. Achieving milestones, earning rewards, and competing with peers can drive sustained engagement and commitment to the learning process.
Here’s how to put this strategy into action:
Define Clear Learning Objectives
Identify specific learning objectives and desired outcomes for the gamified learning experience. Align game mechanics and activities with learning goals to ensure that gamification enhances, rather than detracts from, the educational content.
Choose Appropriate Game Mechanics
Select game mechanics and elements that are relevant to the learning context and objectives. Consider incorporating elements such as points, badges, levels, achievements, challenges, and progress tracking to motivate learners and create a sense of accomplishment.
Provide Meaningful Rewards
Offer meaningful rewards and incentives to motivate learners and reinforce desired behaviours. Rewards can include virtual badges, certificates, access to exclusive content, or tangible rewards such as gift cards or recognition within the organisation.
Design Engaging Learning Activities
Develop engaging learning activities and challenges that promote active participation and skill development. Incorporate interactive simulations, quizzes, puzzles, role-playing scenarios, and collaborative tasks to make learning fun and immersive.
Foster Competition and Collaboration
Encourage healthy competition and collaboration among learners by incorporating leaderboards, team-based challenges, and social features. Competition can motivate learners to strive for excellence, while collaboration fosters teamwork and knowledge sharing.
Provide Feedback and Progress Tracking
Implement mechanisms for providing immediate feedback on learners’ performance and progress. Use progress bars, achievement notifications, and performance dashboards to keep learners informed of their achievements and encourage continuous improvement.
3. Social learning platforms
Utilise social learning platforms or features within your learning management system (LMS) to facilitate collaboration, discussion, and knowledge sharing among employees. Encourage learners to interact with each other, share insights, and provide feedback on course materials.
Social learning platforms play a significant role in enhancing blended learning initiatives within corporate settings, as they facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing among employees. By providing forums, discussion boards, and chat features, these platforms enable learners to interact with each other, ask questions, share insights, and collaborate on projects, fostering a sense of community and collective learning.
Social learning platforms enable learners to receive feedback from peers, mentors, and instructors, helping them reflect on their learning progress and areas for improvement. Constructive feedback and discussions promote critical thinking, self-awareness, and continuous learning.
These platforms also allow learners to build personalised learning networks and communities of practice based on their interests, goals, and areas of expertise. Employees can connect with colleagues, mentors, and subject matter experts to seek advice, share resources, and collaborate on projects relevant to their professional development.
Here’s how to incorporate this strategy into your corporate training initiatives:
Choose the Right Platform
Select a social learning platform that aligns with the organisation’s needs, goals, and existing technology infrastructure. Consider factors such as user interface, scalability, security, integration with other systems, and support for mobile access to ensure a seamless and user-friendly experience for learners.
Promote Active Participation
Encourage active participation and engagement on the social learning platform by setting clear expectations, providing incentives, and recognising contributions from learners. Encourage leaders, mentors, and subject matter experts to actively participate and contribute to discussions to role-model desired behaviours.
Provide Training and Support
Offer training and support to help learners navigate the social learning platform and maximise its features and functionalities. Provide tutorials, user guides, and FAQs to familiarise learners with the platform and address any technical or usability issues they may encounter.
Foster Community and Culture
Cultivate a supportive and inclusive learning culture on the social learning platform by fostering collaboration, respect, and diversity of perspectives. Encourage learners to share resources, ask questions, provide feedback, and celebrate each other’s achievements to build a sense of belonging and camaraderie within the learning community.
Measure and Evaluate Impact
Monitor and measure the impact of the social learning platform on learning outcomes, engagement levels, and knowledge sharing within the organisation. Collect feedback from learners through surveys, interviews, and analytics to identify strengths, areas for improvement, and opportunities for further enhancement.
4. Mobile learning
Make training content accessible on mobile devices to accommodate employees who prefer to learn on-the-go. Mobile learning allows learners to engage with the material anytime, anywhere, making it more convenient and flexible for busy professionals.
Mobile learning allows employees to access training materials anytime, anywhere, using their smartphones, tablets, or other mobile devices. This accessibility and convenience ensure that learning can fit into employees’ busy schedules and accommodate their diverse work environments, including remote or on-the-go situations. As a result of mobile learning, companies can offer flexible and personalised learning experiences tailored to individual learners’ preferences, learning styles, and needs.
Mobile learning platforms can also leverage interactive and multimedia-rich content, such as videos, simulations, quizzes, and gamified activities, to enhance engagement and interactivity. The immersive nature of mobile learning encourages active participation and fosters a deeper understanding of the material, leading to improved learning outcomes.
Here’s how organisations can put this strategy into practice:
Select a Mobile-Friendly Learning Platform
Choose a learning management system (LMS) or mobile learning app that is optimised for mobile devices and offers a user-friendly interface. Ensure that the platform supports a variety of content formats, including videos, interactive modules, and assessments, and provides offline access for learners in areas with limited connectivity.
Develop Responsive Content
Create learning content that is responsive and compatible with a range of mobile devices, screen sizes, and operating systems. Design content with a mobile-first approach, optimising layouts, fonts, and navigation for smaller screens and touch interactions.
Utilise Multimedia and Interactive Elements
Incorporate multimedia elements such as videos, animations, infographics, and interactive simulations to make learning content engaging and interactive. Leverage gamification techniques, such as badges, points, and leaderboards, to enhance motivation and participation.
Encourage Social Learning and Collaboration
Integrate social learning features into the mobile learning platform to facilitate collaboration, discussion, and knowledge sharing among learners. Include features such as discussion forums, chat, and peer-to-peer feedback to create a sense of community and promote engagement.
Provide Just-in-Time Resources
Curate and deliver just-in-time resources, job aids, and performance support materials that employees can access on-demand to address specific learning needs or challenges they encounter in their roles. Ensure that these resources are easily accessible and searchable within the mobile learning platform.
5. Microlearning
Break down training content into bite-sized modules or lessons that can be consumed quickly and easily. Microlearning enables learners to focus on specific topics or skills in short bursts, increasing retention and reducing cognitive overload.
Microlearning, the delivery of short, focused learning nuggets or modules typically ranging from a few minutes to around 10-15 minutes in length, plays a crucial role in blended learning initiatives. Employees can fit microlearning sessions into their busy schedules, making it a practical and accessible approach to learning.
By presenting content in digestible chunks, learners can better absorb and retain key concepts, leading to more effective learning outcomes. Microlearning leverages concise and engaging content formats, such as videos, infographics, quizzes, and interactive simulations, to capture learners’ attention and maintain engagement. The short duration of microlearning modules minimises cognitive overload and maximises learner engagement, making it an effective strategy for keeping learners focused and motivated.
Here’s how to incorporate this strategy into your corporate training initiatives:
Identify Learning Objectives
Determine specific learning objectives or topics that lend themselves well to microlearning, such as procedural tasks, key concepts, or quick tips. Break down larger training materials into smaller, more manageable microlearning modules that focus on addressing specific learning objectives.
Create Engaging Content
Develop engaging and interactive microlearning content using a variety of multimedia formats, such as videos, animations, infographics, quizzes, and interactive scenarios. Design content that is visually appealing, concise, and easily digestible to capture learners’ attention and maintain engagement.
Leverage Mobile Learning Platforms
Utilise mobile learning platforms or learning management systems (LMS) that support the delivery of microlearning content to employees’ smartphones, tablets, or other mobile devices. Ensure that the platform is user-friendly, responsive, and accessible, allowing learners to access microlearning modules anytime and anywhere.
Promote Continuous Learning
Integrate microlearning into employees’ daily workflows and routines to promote a culture of continuous learning within the organisation. Encourage learners to engage with microlearning modules regularly, incorporating them into their daily or weekly learning routines to reinforce knowledge and skills over time.
6. Provide Credentials
Offering credentials, such as certificates, badges, or micro-credentials, can be a highly effective strategy for boosting engagement. Credentials provide learners with tangible recognition and validation of their achievements and skills acquired through training programs. By earning a credential, learners receive formal acknowledgement of their efforts and accomplishments, which can boost their confidence, motivation, and sense of accomplishment.
The pursuit of credentials can serve as a powerful intrinsic motivator for learners, driving their engagement and commitment to the training program. The desire to earn a credential and demonstrate mastery of a subject can inspire learners to actively participate in learning activities, complete assignments, and strive for excellence.
Pursuing a credential also provides learners with clear goals to strive for and a structured pathway to track their progress. By breaking down the training program into manageable milestones and objectives, credentials help learners stay focused, motivated, and accountable for their learning journey.
Here’s how companies can put this strategy into action:
Define Learning Objectives and Competencies
Identify the specific learning objectives, competencies, and skills that learners should demonstrate to earn a credential. Clearly define the criteria for earning the credential, including the knowledge, skills, and performance expectations.
Develop Credentialing Programs
Design credentialing programs that align with the organisation’s goals, industry standards, and learners’ needs. Determine the types of credentials to offer, such as certificates, badges, or micro-credentials, and develop corresponding curriculum, assessments, and evaluation criteria.
Establish Credentialing Criteria
Establish clear criteria for earning each credential, including completion requirements, assessment criteria, and performance expectations. Define the criteria for passing assessments, completing assignments, participating in activities, and demonstrating mastery of key competencies.
Award and Issue Credentials
Award credentials to learners who successfully meet the established criteria and demonstrate mastery of the required competencies. Issue certificates, badges, or digital credentials to recognise learners’ achievements and provide tangible evidence of their skills and qualifications.
Conclusion
Blended learning is an approach to training that is here to stay. Although there are many benefits to providing education through in-person and online classes, a key challenge is keeping learners engaged.
Boosting engagement can be even more important in the context of corporate training initiatives. Employees who are interested in learning are more productive and better prepared to handle the changes in their industry. For this reason, employing some of the strategies listed in this article can significantly improve continuous learning efforts.
Contact Diplomasafe to discover how we can help you implement some of these techniques in your initiatives. Remember that through the implementation of credentialing programs, organisations can create structured pathways for learners to acquire new knowledge, skills, and qualifications while also fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development.
FAQ
What is blended learning in corporate training?
Blended learning in corporate training combines traditional face-to-face instruction with online learning activities. This approach offers flexibility, enhances engagement, and accommodates diverse learning styles, making training more effective and accessible.
What is gamification, and how does it enhance learning?
Gamification involves incorporating game-like elements, such as points, badges, leaderboards, and rewards—into training programs. It increases motivation, fosters competition, and makes learning more enjoyable and engaging.
How does microlearning enhance engagement in training programs?
Microlearning delivers content in short, focused modules, making it easier for employees to absorb and retain information. It reduces cognitive overload and allows learners to engage with training at their own pace.