Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 3
PERSPECTIVES
KEN TAYLOR
UNDERSTANDING
THE LEARNER
How well do we really understand the
corporate learner? Training managers
suggest that the most common strategy,
by far, used to understand what learners
need is to approach the employee's
manager or employee directly. While
that is not necessarily a bad approach,
I believe it adds to one of our biggest
challenges - aligning the goals of training
with the business outcomes we are trying
to support.
As a function, learning and development
(L&D) should consider learner preferences
when developing training programs. Both
managers and employees can provide
valuable insight into the direction of
training development, including insight
into specific topics, skills or knowledge
needed to improve job performance. To
make effective decisions, however, L&D
must also consider how the training is
delivered. This matching process is one
where the learner's preferences can be
a key indicator of their willingness to
actively participate in the program.
Training Industry recently conducted
research on what learners want and
how they want to learn. Not surprisingly,
the research concluded - it depends. It
depends on the topic, it depends on the
department, but most importantly, it
depends on the quality of the training.
A learner's perception regarding the
quality of the training changes based on
the likelihood that they experienced at
least some portion of the program in a
modality they prefer.
Understanding why learners liked or
didn't like a program is a challenge for
L&D. Learning is not linear and extends
beyond the training event. The success of
new products in the market indicate that
the future of training design will be selfdirected, with the learner determining
how much time they are willing to invest
in the training and the order they prefer
to consume the content.
In a world with tight budgets and lofty
demands on the L&D team, this can be
overwhelming. But I believe the secret
may be in how we assemble our programs.
Microlearning content may be the key
since it is easier to edit, update and keep
current. Bite-sized learning empowers
the learner to learn when they need it,
even in the flow of their job. It also allows
the learner to decide what parts of the
program they want to consume, which
does introduce some risk.
Approaching training design with a focus
on understanding the learner is where the
L&D team can have significant impact. Sure,
the content must still be great, but how
it is structured and delivered can enable
L&D to meet the need for flexibility that
today's learners crave. Having empowered
employees spending less time on learning
and more time performing is really one of
our core objectives.
As always, we would love to hear
your thoughts about the perspectives
shared in the magazine, and please
feel free to send any content ideas for
future consideration.
Ken Taylor is president and editor in chief of
Training Industry, Inc. Email Ken.
A LEARNER'S
PERCEPTION
REGARDING THE
QUALITY OF THE
TRAINING CHANGES
BASED ON THE
LIKELIHOOD THAT
THEY EXPERIENCED
AT LEAST SOME
PORTION OF THE
PROGRAM IN A
MODALITY THEY
PREFER.
From my perspective, asking employees
how they want to learn is not really a bad
thing. It's an opportunity to improve the
learner experience.
T RAIN IN G I N DU STR Y M AGAZ INE - UNDERSTANDING YOUR LEARNERS 20 1 9 I WWW. T RAI NINGINDU S T RY . C OM/ MAGAZ I NE
|3
https://www.trainingindustry.com/magazine
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019
Understanding the Learner
Table of Contents
Helping People Flourish Through Great Leadership
Smart Learning Design: How Brain Science Can Impact Learning Design
Meet Today's Learner
Indoctrinate, Embrace and Measure!
The Importance of Diversity of Thought
Training Myths That Won't Go Away
What Does Personality Have to Do With It Anyway?
Back to Psychology Basics: How to Keep Your Learners Engaged
Becoming an Effective Learner in the Age of Digital Evolution
4 Keys to Making Content More Consumable for the Just-in-Time Learner
The Four Dimensions of Character Fitness and How They Grow Leadership Agility
The Human Factor
Accountability in Teams: Changing Perceptions and Moving Toward Implementation
Deloitte's Journey to Gamifying Onboarding for New Analysts
Creating an Amazing Learning Experience: Training and Gaining Soft Skills
Create Effective Adaptive Learning For Your Learners
6 Keys to Understanding Your Learners' Environment
Creating a Continuous Learning Culture
Emerald Group Acquisitions Create a Portfolio of Learning Businesses
Company News
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - Cover1
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - Cover2
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - Understanding the Learner
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - Table of Contents
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 5
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 6
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 7
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 8
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - Helping People Flourish Through Great Leadership
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 10
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - Smart Learning Design: How Brain Science Can Impact Learning Design
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 12
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - Meet Today's Learner
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 14
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - Indoctrinate, Embrace and Measure!
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - The Importance of Diversity of Thought
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 17
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 18
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 19
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - Training Myths That Won't Go Away
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 21
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 22
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 23
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - What Does Personality Have to Do With It Anyway?
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 25
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 26
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 27
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - Back to Psychology Basics: How to Keep Your Learners Engaged
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 29
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 30
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 31
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - Becoming an Effective Learner in the Age of Digital Evolution
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 33
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 34
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 35
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 4 Keys to Making Content More Consumable for the Just-in-Time Learner
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 37
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 38
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - The Four Dimensions of Character Fitness and How They Grow Leadership Agility
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 40
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 41
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - The Human Factor
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 43
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 44
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 45
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - Accountability in Teams: Changing Perceptions and Moving Toward Implementation
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 47
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 48
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 49
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - Deloitte's Journey to Gamifying Onboarding for New Analysts
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 51
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - Creating an Amazing Learning Experience: Training and Gaining Soft Skills
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 53
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 54
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 55
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 56
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - Create Effective Adaptive Learning For Your Learners
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 58
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 6 Keys to Understanding Your Learners' Environment
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - 60
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - Creating a Continuous Learning Culture
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - Emerald Group Acquisitions Create a Portfolio of Learning Businesses
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - Company News
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2019 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_summer2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_spring2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_winter2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_fall2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_summer2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_spring2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_winter2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_fall2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_summer2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_spring2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_winter2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20210910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20210708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20210506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20210304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20210102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20200708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20200506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20200304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20200102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20191112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20190910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20190708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20190506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20190304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20190102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20181112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20180910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20180708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20180506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20180304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20180102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20171112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20170910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20170708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20170506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20170304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20171112_se
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20161112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2016fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2016summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2016sales
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2016spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2016winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2015outsourcing
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2015summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2015leadership
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2015spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2015winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2014summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2014winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2013fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2013summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2013spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2013winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2012fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2012summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2012spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2012winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2011fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2011summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2011spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2011winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2010fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2010summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2010spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2010winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2009fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2009summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2009spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2009winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2008fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2008summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2008spring
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com