Training Industry Magazine - Content Development 2017 Special Edition - 31

SNACKABLE CONTENT

BUILD EPSS INTO TRAINING

Microlearning is about getting specific
about training objectives. It is not
simply taking classroom or web-based
content and breaking it into smaller
pieces. Microlearning "snackables" are
short learning bites that focus on the
most critical objectives - the specific
information that an employee needs at
the task level - without all the training
program fluff.

An Electronic Performance Support
System (EPSS) is a software solution that
helps individuals perform a given online
task or function, or improve productivity
and performance. By building an EPSS into
training, every component in the system
is focused on efficiency, accuracy and
improved performance on the job.

By deploying microlearning through a
mobile device, employees are able to
snack on exactly what they need, which
may include viewing examples, interacting
with real-life scenarios, as well as reaching
out to coaches for real-time support.
Learners can also access short videos,
animations, interactive PDFs, job aids or
even fun games that drive performance
on the job.
Having access to content that is pushed
directly to learners can essentially take a
9 percent knowledge retention rate all the
way up to 60 percent by practicing some
key skills or principles. Through ongoing
touches and reinforcement, training
becomes a learning experience rather
than a standalone event.

STRATEGY MATTERS
Effective training starts with an effective
strategy that aligns training objectives with
business goals. Developing microlearning
snackables requires targeting objectives
on a micro level while being mindful of the
"macro picture."
Having a clear vision of what the
organization is trying to affect is a
critical component of developing a
training strategy that works. Whether it's
maintaining necessary compliance or
improving safety and product knowledge,
learning and development must identify
business outcomes and design training to
meet those objectives.

HAVING ACCESS TO
CONTENT THAT IS
PUSHED DIRECTLY TO
LEARNERS CAN TAKE A 9%
KNOWLEDGE RETENTION
RATE ALL THE WAY UP
TO 60% BY PRACTICING
KEY SKILLS.
We all know how vital it is for employees to
follow approved procedures and policies,
and perform to specific company standards
and technical specifications. With volumes
of information rapidly available through an
EPSS, in a simple to use, responsive menudriven system, the chances for consistent
performance improvement are greatly
increased, and repeated failures become a
thing of the past.

TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE
MICROLEARNING
When developing microlearning content,
here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Focus on the big picture. When
structuring content in a micro format,
it must also serve a macro purpose.
What behaviors do you want the learner
to manifest? What skills and tasks
should the learner be able to perform
on the job? These are questions that

should be answered prior to designing
microlearning.
Keep length in mind. Microlearning
videos should be five minutes or less.
Learners want to get straight to the point
and they have little time to waste on overly
complicated messages and irrelevant
information. The content should be broken
down to the task level to hone in on the
specific information relevant to the learner.
Make content searchable. There is little
point in developing training content that
cannot be accessed or found by learners.
Having convenient search capabilities and
adding metatags can help learners find
content more quickly. They should also be
able to get to the micro bite in as few clicks
as possible. After three clicks, the learner is
less likely to continue searching.
Use the right medium. Whether it's
video, gamification or an interactive PDF,
training must be designed and distributed
in the most appropriate format. Training
professionals must identify which method
will be most impactful for the expected
outcome. For example, if the point of
training is to reduce mistakes on the job
then creating a game that simulates the
real-world environment and asking the
learner to perform critical tasks might be
more beneficial than a linear video.

MOVING FORWARD
Today's business world is fast paced and
on the move. A mobile learning solution
can help connect a mobile workforce with
the information they need, when they
need it most. Through short, snackable
bites, employees can essentially snack
on content in the palm of their hands.
The time is now for organizations to
invest in learning solutions that provide
secure delivery of content for real-time
performance support.
Phil Scheidhauer is the global technology
and solution strategies leader for Raytheon
Professional Services (RPS). Email Phil.

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