How To Gauge The Readiness Of Corporate Learners
Online training is only successful when employees are ready and willing. They must be motivated to learn and build their professional skills. If not, it’s highly unlikely that they’ll actively participate and reap the real world rewards. The question is… how do you gauge the readiness of corporate learners to take the leap into corporate eLearning? Here are 7 techniques to help you determine if your workforce is up for the online training challenge.
1. Conduct An Online Skills Assessment
Your employees might not feel ready to jump on the corporate eLearning bandwagon. However, their skill proficiency may tell a different story. Conducting an online skills assessment allows you to identify gaps that are hindering productivity. In some cases, employees aren't even aware that these gaps exist, and evaluations can bring them into the forefront. Your staff will be able to pinpoint areas for improvement, which emphasizes the need for online training. As an added bonus, online skills assessment data can be used during the development process to create customized online training content.
2. Survey Their Tech-Savviness
Certain employees are ready and willing to engage in corporate eLearning, but the idea of online training is daunting. This is why it's essential to conduct surveys and interviews to determine their tech know-how. They may not be aware of the benefits corporate eLearning can bring or feel uncomfortable using mobile devices. If technology is an obstacle, you can offer tutorials and walkthroughs that feature the basics. For example, an online presentation that teaches them how to login to the Learning Management System and access the online training course material.
At the other end of the spectrum are your "digital natives", who feel right at home with technology. These individuals are ready to engage in online training courses that are portable and multiplatform-friendly. As such, discovering your employees' preferences beforehand is crucial, so that you can customize your corporate eLearning strategy. For instance, if a vast majority of your employees prefer mobile learning, then use responsive eLearning course design.
3. Monitor Employee Motivation
Motivation is an important ingredient for ANY online training program. Your employees must be excited about the online training process and expanding their skills. Hold focus groups, interviews, and online meetings to gauge both their level, as well as the type of motivation. Are they fueled by internal factors, such as achieving their learning goals? Or do they need rewards to enhance their drive? Bear in mind that you also have the power to boost their motivation by promoting your online training. For example, stress the benefits in your company newsletter or host weekly webinars that show your enthusiasm.
4. On-The-Job Observations
Workplace observations can provide you with a wealth of information. They shine the spotlight on tasks, skills, and performance behaviors that employees use on a daily basis. As such, observations give you the power to identify employee strengths, weaknesses, and performance gaps. You can also monitor their attitudes toward their work responsibilities. For instance, an employee who gets frustrated when they're performing a task. This usually indicates that they aren't getting the skills or information they need. They are ready to brush up on their professional knowledge so that they can fulfill their job duties.
5. Evaluate The Structure Of Your Staff
This involves evaluating your workforce, as a whole. Particularly, their physical locations and training needs. For example, distributed employees require an online training program so that they can access materials from anywhere in the world. Likewise, companies with multiple departments need multiple online training courses to build specific skills. Certain employees might feel that they aren't getting the individualized corporate eLearning content they require. As a result, they are hesitant to participate in future online training courses. However, they will be more than happy to engage in online training that meets their personal needs. They are ready for online training, as long as it meets their demands.
6. Ask Employees About The Current Online Training Program
One of the best things about ineffective online training courses is that they can offer valuable feedback. If there's an aspect of your online training program that isn't working, your employees can pinpoint what needs to changed and why. In fact, most corporate learners jump at the chance to share their opinions and concerns, especially when it comes to their professional development. If they aren't willing to give feedback, you can always rely on your Learning Management System and its Big Data. Most Learning Management Systems are now equipped with reporting and analytics features. Thus, you're able to track employee progress, performance, and preferences. You can even determine if they're ready to move on to more challenging online training activities.
7. Open The Floor To Suggestions
One of the most direct ways to gauge whether your employees are ready for corporate eLearning is to simply ask. Give them the opportunity to offer their feedback by opening up the floor to suggestions. This can be done through anonymous surveys, online forums, or social media groups. Invite them to discuss the current online training program, as well as what they'd like to see in future online training courses. It's important to open up the lines of communication by fostering a supportive online training culture that welcomes suggestions. That way employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, without fear of being judged or ridiculed. More often than not, your employees will be the FIRST to tell you that they're ready for online training. But only if they know it won't lead to negative repercussions. This is particularly true for modern learners who want more interactive and engaging online training content.
Your organization may be fully prepared, but what about your distributed workforce? Use these 7 tips to gauge the readiness of your corporate learners and ensure online training success.
Do you want to learn more about how to define the primary purpose of your corporate eLearning program? Read the article 7 Tips To Create Purpose Driven Online Training Courses to discover a few tips to help you create purpose driven online training courses for your organization.
