When you want the benefits of both instructor-led-training and eLearning, you have to balance their proportions. In what ways can JIT facilitate this so that you can offer ongoing support to your remote workforce?
5 Examples Of Blended Learning Support Tools You Can Add To Your LMS:
Conventional corporate training has been successful for decades. But then our work-spaces changed and we migrated online. Today we’re moving to a happier middle ground. In theory, we’re combining the best of both systems while minimizing the cons on either side. The trick is to blend it right though. Having instructor-led sessions builds cohesion and community. But when trainees are back on their own, they don’t want to be left in the wind. JIT online training resources can help them seek help when they can’t access their trainer. What are some valid examples of blended learning support tools you can add to your LMS?
- Online Training Tutorials
An expert may have guided trainees through a four-day lesson on automotive safety. The lesson was probably aimed at chauffeurs, carpool drivers and delivery personnel. Topics could include defensive driving, navigation with or without GPS, regional road rules and car maintenance basics. They may also have learned about vehicular insurance, first aid and driving in foreign states and territories. But when they’re in a tight spot nerves can make trainees forget everything they have learned. JIT online training resources can be a lifesaver. It could be a quick color-coded infographic to show which way they should be driving – left or right. Or which parking spots are legal in their current location. It may even be a step-by-step online training tutorial on how to squeeze into that tight parking slot.
- Live Event Snippets
In the customer support space all calls are recorded so clients know to expect it. But they’ll still receive a primer at the start of the conversation, letting them know they “may” be recorded. Similarly, any offline training sessions should be recorded. You don’t have to use fancy equipment (though it would certainly help). But do record the video and audio feed separately. You can splice them together later, but having separate feeds provides better playback quality. It also offers more flexibility. This live feed could be fifty hours or more. And when you’re in a jam, you can’t watch the entire thing. Scrolling through it to find the exact bit you want isn’t an option either. So, L&D should sift through the feed and pick out relevant snippets. Classify and sort them by keyword so learners can find them easily. Each touch-point clip can be anything from 15 seconds to 2 minutes. Avail it in both video and audio for different scenarios.
- Real World Simulations
Online simulations are possibly the most popular component of online training. They let trainees perform risky training sequences in a safe, immersive space. All the emotion, none of the consequences. With blended learning, you can include a tactile aspect by having trainees simulate activities offline. For example, instead of their avatar trying to escape a flaming office, they could do it in real life. No, you don’t have to set the office alight. But you can add realism to your fire drill by using sound effects and smoke machines. Just be sure to warn the neighbors before you begin. You don’t want them calling the actual fire department.
- Social Media Groups
Launch a social media group that employees can visit after ILT sessions to talk about the training issues and share their opinions. Which also allows you to gather feedback to continually improve your traditional training elements. Pin some ground rules to the top of the group so that employees know how to conduct their conversations. For example, avoiding personal chats about what they did over the weekend. Remember, the point is to fuel peer-based knowledge sharing in a more informal setting and provide them with moment-of-need support.
- Video Demos
Produce video demos that show a new product in action or how to apply a skill in the workplace. This is also great for compliance topics that need a visual demonstration. Such as how to equip the proper safety gear. You can even use animated software or in-house actors to reenact the scenario. For instance, the employees attend an ILT session that explores how to handle COI violations. Then the follow-up video demo features 5 different situations that cover the entire ‘bribery’ spectrum; from a client who innocently offers a free lunch after the meeting, to one who blatantly hands over a check in exchange for preferential treatment.
Insider Tip: Choose A Blended Learning LMS With An Intuitive UI And JIT Support Tools
You need a system that aligns with your team’s skill sets and is easy for everyone to navigate. Even those who aren’t necessarily tech-savvy. You should also look for a blended learning LMS that supports a seamless learning experience. Meaning that everyone can access training tools on their device of choice without any interruptions. Lastly, many computers and smartphones have their own multimedia players. But it can be useful to have dedicated playback systems inside your LMS. It offers better integration because you can compress audio and video feeds. Test your platform on a desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone. Specifically, you want easy access to mute, freeze, replay, and caption functionality. For mobile trainees, you also want a system that minimizes the usage of bandwidth and RAM.
ILT allows corporate trainees to physically learn from trainers and peers. But sometimes, they’re isolated in a work emergency and they need help. In these scenarios, JIT resources can help refresh their memory and facility real-world experience. Examples include online training tutorials, snippets from live recorded sessions, editing software, playback systems and simulations IRL (in real life). Just make certain you choose the right tool for the task and your team’s talents.
Are you looking for a blended learning LMS that merges ILT and online JIT to create a more holistic training experience? Adobe Captive Prime allows you to track your training initiatives using a single platform. Employees can also access online training resources on any device, even offline, thanks to the native app.
For more details, please write to Adobe Captivate Prime team at captivateprimesales@adobe.com.