How do you ensure reliable digital learning?

Identifying the connections between new and previous learning is important. Helping learners build on their existing knowledge and experiences, and providing a more comprehensive learning experience. Also, assessing how current learning enables opportunities for future learning and growth is equally important.

Perhaps performing a learning needs analysis to start with would be good, the second would be to understand the audience to whom the learning would be delivered, so that content can be focused accordingly. As it’s digital learning it would also be good to ensure the platform adapted meets accessibility requirements so that the learning can be served to all types of learners.

Digital learning tools will often have settings you can tinker with. It may be tempting to lock things down, but I strongly urge you to reduce the number of barriers to learning. Make it as easy as possible to access. It takes a ton of motivation to learn something new, don't kill it with a bunch of hoops to jump through.

inclusivity, diversity, and accessibility are principles that are frequently discussed together. Crafting a learning environment that caters to the diverse needs of all learners, regardless of their background, abilities, or circumstances is the goal of all educators. Accessibility solutions often don't have to be a complicated addition to your tech stack. For example, don't put important text information in an image, use heading styles correctly, and only use tables for tabular information. If you can get the basics right, you're already 90% there.

Use student-centric language to explain the tool and the task clearly. Consider also: -Having an exemplar to show -A practice round or area to practice -A channel for tool specific support -Linking to the Privacy Policy -Linking to the Accessibility Statement -Having an alternate arrangement picked out -A rubric -Writing the criteria for success

Make sure every training intervention you create links back to a real-world objective. Then, constantly challenge yourself on whether or not the intervention is moving you closer to that objective. Encourage a culture of open dialogue and feedback to the L&D team on the effectiveness of its work and invite users to become part of the iteration and design of new training materials. Regular focus groups and round tables can really help you understand your users better and identify how you can better serve them and your business. Maintain an ongoing SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, risks) analysis regarding your learning offering. Keep an eye on what your competitors are doing (if possible) and look for ways to add value.

One of the benefits of digital learning is that learners can revisit the materials... and access them during a time that is best for them. Ask them about that. "Was having unlimited attempts helpful for you to understand the content?" "Did being able to rewatch the videos contribute to your meeting the learning objectives"

Consider how you can use content clusters to empower learners to build their own pathway to competence. This will not only speed up time to competence but will also foster a culture of enquiry. Ensure accessibility considerations are included early in the design of any content. Remember, not all mediums can be made accessible for all people, so identify when and where alternatives need to be offered to meet specific needs. Finally, don't be afraid to experiment. Embrace new technologies and try them out. Launch an internal podcast to promote talent mobility, turn your next compliance update into a witty song. Try things out and monitor the results. Learn what you can learn and apply it to the next thing you do.