Data Driven Learning Design
In a former life, I managed client education at a brilliant SaaS company called Eloqua. It was there that I began to learn about digital marketing and marketing automation. To a L&D person, it was fascinating to see the completely different approach to digital content and the usage of metrics and data.
I've continued to think about this for a long time and (finally) have the time to pull together my thoughts in what I'm loosely calling an eBook, which sounds rather grandiose for a 20 -25 page article.
As I write, I wanted to post a few sections to see how the concept resonates with other learning professionals. Download the full piece on my website in June.
Excerpt from "Data Driven Learning Design"
The current landscape of Learning & Development is precarious. Companies are no longer willing or able to invest in large-scale initiatives, and departments are expected to deliver more with less. These trends are true for most industries. What is unique to L&D are the number of predators circling. Unlike a decade ago, content is everywhere. A flick of a mobile gives a learner access to millions of pieces of digital content. Knowledge assets are built by anyone, anywhere. How does a Learning department survive when its biggest competitor is a Google search? L&D is the ageing elephant on the Serengeti surrounded by hungry lions and poachers. The elephant may be wise, but it is slow and cumbersome.
L&D has not embraced digital disruption the way other industries have. Yes, we have adopted eLearning and other digital modalities as delivery channels, but we still apply our traditional classroom lens to what we build. Design and development is based on methodologies like performance consulting, Bloom’s taxonomy, and ADDIE, all of which were constructed far before digital learning was even a glimmer on the horizon. This type of thinking will only hold back L&D.
Unlike the classroom, learners can, and WILL, close the browser and open Facebook if not interested in the content. This massive shift in the dynamic between L&D and learner means the learning design methodologies have to change. The learner is now in control of the content consumption.
Like what you have read? I’d be grateful for a share, like, or comment. Really like what you have read? I am currently consulting and always happy to have a conversation about L&D.
The thinking is one size fits all.... Which no longer works.
Fantastic read! thanks Lori Niles-Hofmann. You are spot-on about L&D departments and the elephant in the room.
Thanks for commenting, Keiran McLean. While I do think it is a combination, as you suggest, the root is really with L&D. My experience has been that there are still a great deal of learning purists out there and that is what will hold us back. People outside of our industry are building, sharing, and refining content with a great deal of success. Yet, L&D still behaves as a sacred entity. Why would a company invest in a learning department when they can purchase from Lynda.com or a MOOC? Those are high level thoughts, but ultimately, we are at risk of becoming redundant if we don't begin to truly examine what our learners really want.
Thanks for sharing Lori Niles-Hofmann. I look forward to reading more of your thoughts. I agree that shifts in L&D are ponderous, but I'm not clear if it's the business, L&D professionals, dissemination of new practices or a combination of them that are responsible for our hesitancy to shift. Do you have any thoughts on this?