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What does it take to make learning meaningful? People.
In this week’s episode of the Learning Matters podcast, Doug chatted with Nicole Papaioannou Lugara, PhD, from Your Instructional Designer. Nicole is a pro in corporate instructional design and social learning at scale. They talked about Nicole’s unique path into the learning and development field, her approach to creating impactful learning experiences, and the innovative strategies her company uses to foster continuous learning within organizations.
Making Employee Training Meaningful: The Human Element
One of the core philosophies that Nicole’s company embodies is the belief that learning is intrinsically linked to human connections. Nicole emphasized that meaningful learning experiences often stem from interactions with others, whether through insightful conversations, inspiring facilitators, or collaborative environments. This human-centric approach is fundamental to her company’s mission of creating employee training that genuinely matters.
Social Learning Networks: Connecting People Through Learning
A significant part of the discussion centered around Nicole’s innovative service offering: social learning networks. These networks are designed to foster a culture of continuous learning within organizations by leveraging existing tools and resources to create interconnected learning pathways. Nicole explained that a thorough learning needs analysis is crucial to successfully implementing these networks. This process involves understanding the organization’s culture, identifying high-priority skills, and strategizing how to use available tools to facilitate knowledge sharing and skill development.
Measuring Corporate Training Success: Continuous Improvement in Learning
To ensure the effectiveness of their learning solutions, Nicole’s team uses the Learning Transfer Evaluation Model (LTEM) by Will Tallimer. This model helps in setting specific goals and measuring progress across different stages of learning. Additionally, they advocate for metrics that assess the social aspects of learning, such as the number of innovations arising from learning interactions and the level of employee engagement. These measures help in continuously refining and improving the learning programs.
Curious about how effective your learning programs are? Download our free “Training ROI Calculator” and calculate your learning and development ROI with ease!
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Building a Collaborative Instructional Design Team
Nicole’s approach to team building is as thoughtful as her approach to learning design. She hires individuals whose skills complement her own and who bring diverse strengths to the team. The collaborative spirit of her team, characterized by candid communication and a shared commitment to excellence, is key to their success. Nicole values input from her team members, involving them in strategic decisions and fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute.
Need help building your dream L&D team? Download our free interviewing guide including must-ask questions from our talent acquisition experts to identify the perfect culture fit.
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The Future of Instructional Design: Blending Traditional and Modern Approaches
While embracing modern learning strategies like microlearning and digital cohorts, Nicole believes in the importance of a holistic learning ecosystem. She argues that no single approach or off-the-shelf training fits all learning needs and that effective learning solutions often involve a blend of in-person training, eLearning, and community-based learning experiences. This balanced approach ensures that learning is both effective and engaging, tailored to the unique needs of each organization.
Related Case Study: Leader in Financial Services Adopts Customized Sales Training to Amplify Employee Confidence and Competency, Leaving Off-The-Shelf Behind
Nicole’s insights highlight the importance of adaptability, the power of human connections in learning, and the need for a strategic, holistic approach to creating impactful learning experiences. By focusing on meaningful interactions and continuously refining instructional design strategies, you can pave the way for more effective and engaging corporate training solutions.
Need help scaling social learning solutions? Listen and watch episode 14 of the Learning Matters podcast – available everywhere you listen to podcasts!
Additional Resources
- 5 Innovative Ways to Use Cohort Forums in Learning (free quick reference guide)
- The Power of Custom Learning Solutions vs. Off-The-Shelf: Enhancing Employee Engagement and Performance
- Attracting the Best of the Best: Key Strategies for Finding Top L&D Talent
- How to Win Over Common Roadblocks to Analysis (free learning analysis template)
- How Learning Leaders Can Create a Learning Culture in Organizations
