Employee engagement and retention stand as pillars of organizational success. Learner-centered training is a powerful strategy that learning professionals can leverage to fortify these pillars.
This method isn’t just a trend; it is rooted deeply in established theories like cognitive and adult learning theory. By placing learners at the heart of training design, this approach encourages them to draw from their own experiences, adding valuable context and thereby enhancing both engagement and retention.
Following up on our blog post about the learner journey within the corporate learning ecosystem, it is essential to envision a learning journey with engagement and retention at its core.
The learning journey, a learner-centered approach to training.
Let’s delve into how this journey unfolds from the learner’s perspective:
- Pre-assessment: What do I already know? What do I still need to learn?
- Video: What can I expect to learn? What options are available to me for how and when I will engage on this journey? What’s in it for me (WIIFM)?
- Skill-based micro-style eLearning courses: Which courses address the specific skills I need to gain proficiency in? What topics align with my own unique performance and professional goals?
- Post-assessment: What did I learn? What do I want to explore at a deeper level or learn more about?
- Application-focused workshops: How can I use case studies, scenarios, and role-plays to help me dig deeper into application and problem-solving?
- Panel discussions: What guidance or advice do my leaders and peers have to offer?
- Learning path resources: What additional articles, courses, subscriptions, podcasts, surveys, or other resources are available to me to continue to grow and expand my proficiency?
How Learner-Centered Training Enhances Engagement and Retention
To gauge the effectiveness of learner-centered training, consider whether the training:
- Pulls the learner in,
- Gives them control and ownership over their learning,
- Encourages active participation,
- Uses real-world examples.
By offering choices and relevance in learning, we enable learners to connect the dots between their training and job performance. This approach fosters deeper engagement and enhances their ability to retain and apply knowledge, driving both personal and organizational success.
Download our free “Customizable Training Program Design Toolkit” and start transforming your training approach today. Equip your team with the resources they need to create flexible yet consistent learning experiences that drive engagement and retention.
Want to Know More About How to Empower Learners?
Let’s transform your corporate training strategy together—because when your team learns better, your business performs better. Contact us today to begin your transformation.
