Learning in the Flow of Work

​At Knowledge Anywhere, we’re always looking towards the latest training trends. That’s why we often consult eLearning experts about where they believe the industry to be heading. In a recent talk with Josh Bersin, we asked “what technology do you think will have the most significant impact on corporate training and performance support in this decade?” His response was an unexpected one, saying

“Tools that facilitate what I call “learning in the flow of work.” These include VR and AR tools that show new procedures and interventions, chat and text based learning solutions, and micro-learning and modular designed programs that let people learn continually without having to leave their existing digital environments.”

So what exactly is learning in the flow of work, and what does it mean for online training? You’ve come to the right place to find out!

Definition & Importance

In essence, learning in the flow of work means learners are able to extract information they need, when they need it, without having to interrupt their process. Ideally, this would mean learners could be on the job, learn a skill they need, use that skill quickly, and then move on to their work as before. This involves microlearning, which allows learning in multiple, short forms, improving memory and employee engagement. Instead of formally training workers for hours in a lecture hall, learning in the flow of work uses design and strategy to meet learners where they are in a digital platform.

By feeding employees information naturally throughout the workday when they need it or have time, this process has the potential to increase efficiency, and cut down on time, while shrinking the skills gap.

Real-World Examples

Now that we know what it means, let’s delve into how organizations can practically utilize learning in the flow of work within Learning Management Systems (LMS).  

Recommended Resources Based Your Past Behaviors 

Netflix is the most obvious example of this tip, but lately, sites such as YouTube, Amazon, Spotify, and many others have caught on. By providing choices based on relevant behavior, companies can add value to their customers by effectively anticipating their needs. So how does this work in the world of eLearning? Say you’re in an LMS and have taken three safety training courses, along with a compliance course a few years ago. Based on just this information, the system could be able to provide “Recommended Courses,” which could include a certification or badge based on safety training and an ethics course reminder, to re-up the old one. This would allow a learner to continue learning, without having had to navigate or search for courses that could potentially apply to them.

Chatboxes, Feedback, and Contacts 

Let’s say I am doing research on a company as a part of a larger project. Instead of filtering thorough multiple website pages, chatbots and messaging boards provide a quick way for me to talk with someone about specific questions, instead of doing all of the work alone. Allow for many different, clear ways for people to make contact with your organization. Not only will this help them in their journey, it will allow you to show off your customer service skills and provide real feedback as to what people want.  

Make Content Easily Accessible  

This may seem like a no-brainer, but if learners cannot find helpful resources, they can’t use them easily and quickly. Make sure blogs and articles are tagged and try to have a clear layout, filters, or search functionality bar that will help people get to where they want to go.  

Knowledge Mark  

Knowledge Anywhere has created a tool designed to promote learning in the flow of work. With Knowledge Mark, users can now put any external site info into their transcripts - simply drag and drop into your bookmarks, find the external site you wish to upload, and click the Knowledge Mark bookmark! It will automatically download in the user’s LMS. This allows learners to track content accessed outside of the LMS, and integrate it seamlessly, without having to navigate off the page or switch browsers.

While learning in the flow of work is not yet incorporated into every company, it is an up-and-coming tool gaining traction. Understanding and incorporating the basics of this concept will only help your organization train, teach, and learn better!