The Future of Learning ISN'T virtual...
It's Communities.
This morning I woke up with a massive realisation… All the recent focus on working (and training) virtually has given us a distorted view of what the future of L&D is all about. We’ve mistakenly decided that it’s remote/virtual/tech-based.
Obviously, as a METHOD, that’s true. No matter when restrictions are eased, tech-based solutions are here to stay. Blended learning will be normal.
But I believe that the REAL learning is coming via our communities.
It doesn’t matter if we access that community face-to-face, via Zoom, document sharing platforms, Slack, WhatsApp or by picking up the phone… it’s the PEOPLE we are connected to that provide the learning, support and development we benefit from.
Learning by community has so many benefits…
1. It’s agile. You ask for help with something that you’re working on right now, or a problem you’re trying to solve and BANG someone provides something to help you out. You don’t waste hours searching on your own.
2. It’s personalised. We focus on what matters to us, start from where we are, build on what we already know, and hone our existing knowledge/skills.
3. It’s perfectly paced. We learn things a bit at a time, and when we are ready to learn to them. Working to our OWN timetable means we are much more likely to transfer learning.
4. It’s varied. We get to see lots of different ideas around a theme, so we can piece together our own solutions.
5. It’s pro-active. When others ask a question, we take note and maybe develop knowledge or a skill that wasn’t a priority right now, but is still useful.
6. It’s safe. Asking specific questions in a private community makes it easier to expose our vulnerabilities and fill the gaps in knowledge/skills we have.
7. It’s supportive. People in the community want you to succeed – you have long-term relationships with these people to everyone has a vested interested in your success.
8. It’s relevant. Learning is driven by the needs of those in the community – not a trainer, and certainly not a government designed syllabus. Content is driven purely by demand.
9. It’s creative. We get exposed to different ideas and topics that we may not otherwise explore, so widening our experience and keeping us up to date with the latest thinking.
10. It’s more grown up. Community members take responsibility for their OWN learning… what they do with the information provided is up to them. It’s not up to their manager or L&D business partner to follow through.
I’m sure there are many more, but 10 is always a good number!
People engaged in learning communities are always so generous too. They know that it’s a game of give and take, and by helping each other, we ALL grow.
Personally, I’ve learned so much from the communities I’m in… particularly from the fellow L&D professionals in the Training Designer’s Club which I run, and the independent training professionals in Trainer Talk. Maybe it’s just my practical approach the learning, or maybe it really is the way forward.
I like to think it is.
The most effective single remedy for modern life’s problems is connection with others.
A community of learning is key. Thanks so much for sharing these thoughts.
I totally agree. As they say “it takes a village to raise a child” but that doesn’t stop when a child reaches adulthood. The village, the community, our tribe both personal and work are what support us.
Exactly, well said. It is about true collaboration - working with the communities but also building new contacts. This could be even easier to do now that people are more accessible via communication technology improvements.