Elearning! Magazine: Building Smarter Companies via Learning & Workplace Technologies.
Issue link: http://elmezine.epubxp.com/i/102793
TipsOn-Demand Learning Mobile Learning, Video On the Rise Is Your Organization Keeping Up? It is clear that mobile learning is on many organizations' radar as a necessary transition for meeting (and keeping up with) the needs of the business. Te drive to enable new methods of learning and performance support can be seen in the questions L&D; organizations are asking. Te questions no longer come from the earliest adopters of mobile learning. Rather, there is a groundswell of activity across many industries and in companies of all sizes. As an approach, on-demand learning is fexible, selfgoverned and self-sustained, allowing learners to consume knowledge that is personalized and can be immediately applied to their work efort. Tis just-in-time learning approach supports continuous learning, which enables the learner to gather, access and process infor- mation outside the traditional learning environment. It can be used for on-demand performance support, an on-the-job knowledge check or simply as an additional resource. Traditional training programs have been built on what has been called the "just-in-case" model, in which content is delivered to learners who might have a need for it in the future. We know from research that this method may not be very useful. Unless something is relevant to the work at hand or of immediate need, it can soon be forgotten. Mobile learning ofers a new way of learning that causes signifcant disruption in the traditional approach to workplace learning. Glance through any L&D; publication, website or blog lately, you will likely see articles and columns galore about mo- bile technology and its actual (or potential) infuence on workplace learning. Mobile learning serves as a new way of interconnecting everything to everyone. It is redefning what learning is and how it is designed. Mobile video, when used to support learners, can be a highly efective strategy to support learning in the modern, mobile, interconnected, networked workplace. Te learning environment of the future will have new meaning and a focus on accelerating the business of the modern mobile worker. However, despite the growth of informal learning as a method, it does not mean that formal learning is going away. Our research shows that formal instructor-led training is still critical, and there will always be a need for master- ing new skills and concepts in the classroom, especially for those without much knowledge of the content. In response, organizations need to rethink their perspectives, processes and approaches to best support the fow of knowledge and continuous learning. Te fundamental role of the learning function is evolving, and on-demand, mobile learning is rapidly becoming the modern approach for organizations to evolve into an impactful learning organization. Mobile video represents an ideal technology solution for modern learning organizations. Tis platform supports rapid consumption of quality content, has many user-friendly applications, enables interactivity and provides an on-demand environment in which employees can collaborate. We expect the use of mobile apps in business to increase exponentially over the next two years, trending with the continued growth in mobile device use across the globe. —If your organization is ready to begin the transition to a modern learning organization and is looking to leverage informal learning (include mobile learning), Safari Books Online ofers the best solution. To fnd out how your organization can experience the power of the Safari Books Online learning platform, and to access the entire Bersin & Associates report, visit www.safaribooksonline.com/ mobilevideo 58 December 2012 / January 2013 Elearning!