Training Industry Magazine - November/December 2018 - 55

WHAT'S NEXT IN TECH
STELLA LEE, PH.D.

THRIVING IN THE FACE
OF DIGITAL DISRUPTION -
STRATEGIES FOR L&D
Digital disruption has been finding its way
rather aggressively into the L&D space -
big data learning analytics, AI-powered
adaptive learning management systems,
blockchains for educational credentials,
VR-based compliance training, chatbot
tutors, and automated assessment
marking based on machine learning
algorithm are just a few examples of
technologies that are fueling the learning
market right now.

LOOK BEYOND THE L&D
SPACE AT THE DIGITAL
TRANSFORMATION
LANDSCAPE AT LARGE.
As L&D professionals, how do we
manage the tsunami of change that is
the daily reality of workplace learning?
The ability to learn about these digital
disruptions and to implement them
requires agility. Here is a list of actionable
suggestions for you to start cultivating
an agile mindset.
BE LIFELONG LEARNERS
Rapid change and disruption require us
to update and refresh our knowledge
continuously. As learning professionals,
we ought to seek out new and diverse
learning opportunities. According to
the Class Central Learner Survey, 23
million new learners signed up for their
first massive open online course (MOOC)
in 2017, taking the total number of
learners to 81 million. Aside from many
online learning platforms to choose
from, consider joining communities such
as Meetup, subscribing to blogs, online
journals, and following key trends and
thought leaders on Twitter and LinkedIn.
In addition, think tank organizations like
the World Economic Forum often publish

emerging technology trends. In general, it
is good practice to keep look beyond the
L&D space at the digital transformation
landscape at large.
GET FAMILIAR WITH THE TOOLS
As new tools and platforms emerge, get
access to them and try them out first-hand.
Many digital tools offer test modules,
sandboxes and free versions for download.
Vendors are also keen on setting up demo
sessions and go over product features,
so leverage these options. You don't
need to be an instant expert in chatbot
programming or VR creation, but it helps
to have foundational knowledge of these
modern technologies to think beyond the
LMS box. Jane Hart at Centre for Learning
and Performance Technologies maintains
an up-to-date directory of learning and
performance tools. It is a great place to
start.
LEARN FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS
Build a community of practice beyond
your own discipline by connecting and
collaborating with related business units
such as marketing, IT, and customer
service. There is a lot to be gained by
understanding how to craft an effective
message from a marketing standpoint.
IT folks can decipher some of the
technological terms for you when dealing
with new technology such as machine
learning and quantum computing, and
customer service best practices can help
you engage your stakeholder groups
better. By learning from other units,
L&D departments also can be better
business partners to build capabilities and
facilitating knowledge transfer within the
organization.
BE PROACTIVE CHANGE AGENTS

role in change management and be
strategic about change. We need to
shift our mindset so it comes from a
lens of change, adaptation and constant
transitioning. Along with a learning
strategy, a change vision needs to be
created, and be part of the overarching
message. Modern workplace learning
is a continuous process, not a oneoff event. To prepare the business and
its employees, a structured change
management framework needs to be in
place. L&D can really drive this process
by aligning the case for change with the
deployment of new learning experiences
and technologies, assessing the change
readiness for different types of learning,
and to mitigate employee's anxiety by
offering day-to-day support and periodic
check-ins. Prosci and The Association
of Change Management Professionals
(ACMP) are two change management
organizations that can help you learn how
to manage change.
Understanding how technology is
transforming businesses takes awareness
and deliberate effort. To thrive in the
face of digital disruption, we as L&D
practitioners must remain flexible
in our strategies and approaches,
continuously
learning,
building
collaborations, transferring knowledge
across the organization, and being at the
center of change.
Dr. Stella Lee has over 20 years of experience
in
consulting,
planning,
designing,
implementing, and measuring learning
initiatives. Today, her focus is on large-scale
learning projects including LMS evaluation
and implementation, learning analytics, and
artificial intelligent applications in learning.
Email Stella.

Amidst all the disruptions and changes,
L&D professionals need to take an active

T R A I N I N G I N DUSTR Y MA GAZ INE - THE MODERN LEARNING MINDSET 20 18 I WWW. T RAININGINDU S T RY . C OM/ MAGAZ I NE

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https://www.prosci.com/resources http://c4lpt.co.uk/directory-of-learning-performance-tools/ https://www.acmpglobal.org/ https://www.class-central.com/report/tag/mooc-roundup-2017/ https://www.trainingindustry.com/magazine

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Training Industry Magazine - November/December 2018