Digital learning – on the rise
Prioritising personal development and growth has become a popular key philosophical value in today’s society, and increases in the availability of technology have allowed us to learn and grow faster than ever before in our daily lives. Digital learning, outside of a traditional classroom context, is one great example of this.
And we’re not talking about the tedious 1-hour multiple choice programs at work, completed as a career requirement for health & safety reasons. Digital learning can take many forms. For example, our Lifeed programs are built around developing employees’ soft skills, like empathy, communication, and patience, through the process of continuous micro-learning over a period of many months. Digital learning comes in all shapes and sizes.
Recent reports have predicted that the global market is set to grow by a colossal $61bn within the next 4 years, demonstrating the phenomenal rising force of the industry. Whilst it’s been growing for many years, It’s one example (of many) of a collective adoption of technology that’s been rapidly accelerated by COVID-19. With classrooms shut and millions furloughed looking for useful skill development – digital learning has been a warmly welcomed solution to some of these problems.
Businesses are beginning to incorporate it more into their day-to-day operations as well. Workplaces may be closed but there are still armies of employees who need, and demand, professional skills development – and digital learning has the answers.
What’s to gain for businesses?
Future-proof your workforce – The world is rapidly changing, faster than ever before, and digital learning can give your team the tools to swim with the tide. PwC’s 23rd Annual Global CEO Survey shows that those organisations focussed on expanding their employees’ skills were ahead of their peers in many ways and were more confident in their Future.
Meet the demands of the modern workforce – Research has shown that, for the majority of employees, training and development is considered a company’s most important policy. And it isn’t a fad that’s going anywhere soon – Deloitte’s open report on Gen Z shows that employers must look to robust training and leadership development to meet their working needs.
It’s not just about skills – Whilst it may sound counterintuitive, the same PwC survey also found that 41% of CEOs said that their upskilling programme has been “very effective” in creating a stronger corporate culture and engaging employees, showing off some indirect benefits.
It’s the best way to learn – Digital learning is an exceptionally beneficial means of learning in the workplace compared to the ‘classroom’ context. Whilst easily fitting into the flow of work and life, it’s also worth noting that not everyone learns best the same way, and this means of learning allows for a blended approach. For example, many models include a combination of gamification methods, forums for discussion, and real-world exercises. It’s also much shorter and efficient than learning in a classroom setting. Research from Shift shows that a digital course can take up to 75% less time overall than a traditional physical course.
How do we know it works?
We’re able to highlight some of the tangible benefits from case studies of our partners. The Italian branch of Danone implemented our program for new parents, looking to draw on their unique soft skills and apply them to the workplace. Their HR director confirmed that from implementing the program, they saw a number of improved skills, including prioritization (+35%), decision making (+15%), delegation (+35%) and managing complex situations (+10%) as well as empathy (+35%) and mental agility (+20%).
Overall, digital learning is not a flash-in-the-pan trend – it’s now a cornerstone of the modern workplace, offering much more than most think. If used properly, they can be a fantastic way to develop your workforce, which is something many businesses are beginning to learn.
Written by Riccarda Zezza, Founder of Lifeed.
