Analysis: How Modern Learners Want to Learn
Towards Maturity provides statistically valid benchmarks. In a recent report they asked 10,000 workers "What is most useful to help you learn?"
The focus is on matching the right person with the right content and also providing Interaction as a key part of the online experience.
The findings were:
| Mode | % |
|---|---|
| Collaboration | 91 |
| Manager Support | 81 |
| Mentoring/Coaching | 70 |
| Web Search | 70 |
| Classroom events | 63 |
Colleagues aged over 50 and those under 30 both rank "collaboration" first at 91%.
The main characteristic of these preferred modes is "interaction", echo of the 70:20:10 model: informal, social, formal.
Beyond web search, we're focussing on facilitated learning, working with subject matter experts, mentoring, coaching, management support and peer to peer activity.
Mind the gap
Examining this from a Learning & Development perspective, from the same survey: this data presents the gaps you report between what you want to deliver and capability.
| Skill | Aspiration | Capability | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facilitating collaboration | 95 | 23 | 72 |
| Live online delivery | 94 | 30 | 64 |
| Digital content | 94 | 31 | 63 |
| Blended learning | 97 | 44 | 53 |
| Coaching and mentoring | 96 | 52 | 44 |
This represents considerable opportunity cost.
These L&D capability gaps correspond directly with the methods that modern workers are looking for. Your aspirations match those of your colleagues.
How can we bridge these gaps?
Josh Bersin, of Deloitte reports the range of technology available and bringing it together in one place is a big challenge for L&D. He observes the emergence of "Integrated Learning Platforms". We will be analysing the implications of this next and in our insight briefing series.
