Elearning! Magazine: Building Smarter Companies via Learning & Workplace Technologies.
Issue link: http://elmezine.epubxp.com/i/48330
team and potential vendors: >> Supporting learning in the workplace – As more learning moves from the classroom into the workplace, the types of delivery modalities can conjure up an interesting set of features. In its ear- liest form, training in the workplace took the form of simple keyboard tem- plates and job aids. But now that the workplace is more complex and appli- cations are Web- or computer-based, these tools have evolved. However, that evolution has actual- >> Provide for social interconnections for informal learning – Perhaps the most interesting of the trends to watch is the impact of Gen-Y employees. Our predictions are that more social interactions will be ly made it easier to navigate to the learning needed by the knowledge worker. Perhaps it's a click-through learning portal that will provide the training when it's needed. Or perhaps it's support of embedded training in an application or learning called up as context-sensitive learning snippets that will serve your needs — espe- cially in a heavy process-driven enterprise where claims and loans are processed or accounting functions are recorded. Perhaps in the mobile knowledge worker category these fea- tures will be defined as mobile access to learning portals and knowledge repositories. Table 2: Learning Trends and Issues A DECADE AGO 80% classroom based 80% formal Centrally administered, instructor-led Centrally provided information LMS as a learning destination Isolated learning Hour-long learning objects Location-centric One size fits all Directed lab experience Closed educational resources Available at certain times Segmented by team function Global considerations emerging Just-in-case education Company-centric education Country-centric language support Minimal talent management support Some elective certifications provided "Behind-our-firewall" mentality tion, easy search for expert resources, or peer groups with similar prob- lems. Typical functionality needed would be expert locator functions, internet messaging with peers, peer ratings, wiki and blog functionality, as well as the ability to form learning More social interactions will be expected by Gen-Y employees, where the notion of sharing knowledge replaces the older value of 'knowledge is power.' expected by this new generation of employee, where the notion of shar- ing knowledge replaces the older value of "knowledge is power." This interaction will allow peer collabora- communities. (Note: Our September ELCE11 Conference, Sept 27-29, 2011, at the Anaheim (Calif.) Hilton at the Convention Center will focus on these evolving trends.) A DECADE FORWARD 80% in the workplace 80% informal Self-directed learning Search-based inquiries Social networks for learning Social/networked learning 5-minute video snippets Mobile-centric Individualized/personalized Plus games and simulations Plus open educational resources 24/7 availability of learning Project-based against company goals Global plus country localization needs Context sensitive - just-in-time Education to the "extended enterprise" Support of multiple global languages Talent management support key Mandatory compliance and regulations Software-as-a-service (SaaS) mentality >> Make rapid searches easy – The new adage here is that the learning organi- zation can't expect to be a source for learning if it takes longer to find an answer than using Google. The LMS is quickly becoming a non-destination for learners looking for quick answers to do their job. A Delphi Group study said that 25 per- cent of a "knowledge worker's" day is spent searching for information to do their job. In polls of IT organizations on their preferred educational source, more than 96 percent said Google. Those two statistics together should tell you why a great search capability is a very important feature. And that feature should take you outside the proprietary LMS. In our estimation, future search advancements should start to show federated search engines coming into vogue. These engines simply search multiple sites simultaneously – the LMS, the Internet, knowledge reposi- tories, code repositories, and so May / June 2011 37 Elearning!