Bespoke Training Solution’s Caroline Evans asks: Is it time to invest in some Learning & Development tools?
Everyone has heard the saying; “the right tool for the right job”, and “you’re only as good as your tools.” These sayings are very true when it comes to designing support for professional exams and the finding right study resources for your organisation’s ‘toolkit’.
In a post-COVID world, organisations have adapted to new workplace challenges around how to manage remote/hybrid working environments. Learning and Development has not been immune to these challenges, and we have seen a variety of remote learning initiative including digital, online, and even virtual reality tools enter the ring.
Learning Management Systems (LMS) have really come into their own over the past two years. An LMS can help organisations to manage candidate data, communication, and engagement, as well as to optimise resources such as study plans, processes, and support.
“You don’t get results by focusing on results. You get results by focusing on the actions that produce results.” Mike Hawkins
With a variety of LMS solutions on the market, how do you choose the right one for your organisation? Before investing in a new system, it is worth considering three fundamental factors:
Learner engagement
A good LMS can deliver personalised and consistent interactions with your learners across different channels and touchpoints.
By integrating data from various sources, such as e-learning, video tutorials, touchpoint webinars, quizzes and mock exams, an LMS can provide a holistic view of each candidate’s exam studying history, preferences, needs, and feedback. This allows organisations to anticipate and address any concerns and expectations early on
Look for an LMS that offers a variety of modalities to appeal to different learners.
Monitoring Performance
An LMS can produce data and insights into learner usage and performance, allowing you to deliver evidence-based L&D packages, as well as to identify and support any challenges or barriers to learning.
With MI reporting you can better support learners based on their studying behaviours. You can track and measure the effectiveness and impact of learning interventions and identify and address gaps and opportunities for improvement.
Look for an LMS that allows you to track and report on learner behaviour.
Accessibility and efficiency
For training investment to demonstrate ROI, the target audience need to be able to access it fully. Organisations can use an LMS to deliver learning programs to many learners across different locations and devices, at a times and dates that suit the learners and the business.
With an LMS system the learner is in the driving seat. Organisations can create different learning paths, provide feedback and guidance to learners and adjust the pace of the learning content according to performance and progress.
Ask your team their views on the resources they have. Ask what resources would enhance their study quality. Ask what tools could help them better balance the demands of work and study time.
Look for an LMS that builds in accessibility.
Finally – remember, it’s a learner’s market
When it comes to L&D, it is essential to have the right tools, but it’s also essential that the tools are used in the right way at the right time. Try before you invest, share free trials with your learners and get their feedback. Lack of engagement is rarely an apathy problem, it’s usually an accessibility problem.
[Main image: kenny-eliason-1-aA2Fadydc-unsplash]
