Workplace learning werkplekleren needs to be a high priority especially since it will happen daily, no matter the methods employed to deliver it. Employees learn, retain skills and knowledge every day on the job through watching official training videos, group activities, and encounters that occur on the job. Some studies show that a large amount of knowledge retention occurs when training occurs frequently rather than less often. This is because repeated learning enhances retention of previously learned information.
A majority of companies are incorporating workplace learning into their work procedures in order to help employees retain skills learned and new information continually. In today’s fast-moving business world, there are so many skills needed to effectively complete everyday tasks that it is not surprising to see companies including learning as part of their employee development plans. However, some companies still believe that formal training or extensive on-the-job experience is the most effective way to deliver learning. While this may be true for some businesses, this isn’t necessarily the case for all.
Continuous learning comes from two different kinds of sources. The first is textbook learning, which occurs every time an employee takes a class or performs an activity that is instructed in a lesson plan. Learning by doing, however, comes from experiential learning. In this type of learning, students observe real-world situations, patterns, or people and use that information to apply the knowledge they have been taught. This type of learning comes with a lot of inherent challenges such as being able to think fast and make judgment calls based upon what one has observed. Ongoing classroom training and formal education programs may help individuals engage with current situations and scenarios that are relevant to their career goals, but this type of learning can never be replaced.
The best way to ensure continued success with workplace learning is to ensure that it is done in an environment that allows learners to easily access and replay the material at their convenience. In this way, continual improvement is made possible. Effective classroom learning paths should include clear, concise, and up-to-date instructional materials that can be accessed easily by the learners and included in the work place. These should be easily accessible in a manner that is unobtrusive and does not require students to stand or walk across a room to find what they are looking for. In addition, these learning paths should include clear identification of content and navigation, so that individuals don’t become confused when they are presented with something they don’t understand.
A good learning path also allows the learners and the teacher to work in a synchronous fashion. The teacher should guide the student’s progress and provide feedback at each stage of the learning process. The same thing should go for the learners. They should be guided in the proper way to use each lesson and instruction, and they should be given clear, concise instructions that are easily accessible. Working alongside others in a group or working with minimal distractions at all will maximize the effectiveness of workplace learning.
The HR leaders must be fully committed to the entire learning process, which may involve supervising individual sessions or the whole workplace learning initiative. This includes ensuring that the appropriate tools and learning programs are provided, ensuring that communication is open and effective, and encouraging the learners and the teachers to keep improving. Making sure that people know exactly what is expected of them and how they are expected to react during any learning experience will help the learner to achieve his or her goals. Allowing people to learn to use proven workplace learning programs will greatly enhance the results of any training or assessment that is conducted.