Fit Teams: What E-Learning can’t do, and why the AI revolution has a way to go

Let's face it: sitting still in front of a screen isn't exactly thrilling. Sure, we can learn a lot from online courses and AI-powered tutors, but there's something missing—something that can't be replicated by pixels and algorithms.

Enter the human body.

As Carla Hannaford, author of Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All in Your Head, points out, our bodies are intimately connected to our brains. When we move, we're not just exercising our muscles; we're also firing up neural pathways that enhance memory, problem-solving, and creativity.

Carla Hannaford identifies a number of ways in which learning is enhanced through movements, including:

• Sensory input combined with motor output develops stronger cognitive skills.
• Cross-lateral movements (think touching your right hand to your left foot) help connect the brain’s left and right hemispheres—critical for creative learning tasks.
• Physical activity helps the brain learn better by activating neural pathways that support cognitive function.
• Movement and physical sensations can boost cognitive abilities like memory and problem-solving.

More intuitively: Have you ever noticed how a walk can clear your head? That's the power of embodied learning in action.

Conspicuously Missing

What is odd is how few organisations prioritise movement as a component of the learning strategy, choosing instead to rely more and more on static learning tools that activate learners only at the cognitive level (forgetting, perhaps that people are in bodies, and bodies have a part to play in learning). Even in sports organisations, movement is rarely incorporated into daily work life with the intentional purpose of improving learning.

Do Differently

This is not about offering gym subscriptions which are rarely utilised. It's about asking: How can organisations leverage this insight about movement and cognition to improve their training and development programs? Understanding that movement improves overall performance means factoring in movement structurally, before, during, and after training.

Here are a few options to consider:

1. Active In-Person Learning: Add to static e-learning, where the most movement you get is a click of a mouse, by supplementing with in-house workshops. For example, use role-playing exercises, simulations, or group activities that require participants to be physically engaged.
2. Movement Breaks in Training and at the Office: Encourage employees to take short breaks throughout the workday to engage in physical activity. In fact, scheduling this daily for your team could be a huge benefit. This could involve walking around the grounds or a local park if available. This can help reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance creativity and cognitive function.
3. Weekly Fitness Sessions as Part of the L&D Function: Bring in a fitness coach for teams to lead workouts, adapting exercises to abilities, and keeping teams refreshed and energised as they implement new learning protocols. This also increases capacity for learning.
4. Mindfulness and Meditation as Part of the L&D Function: Teach employees breathing, visualisation, and meditation techniques, which involve focusing on the present moment and being aware of bodily sensations. These practices can improve concentration, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being.
5. Ergonomic Workspaces as Part of the L&D Function: Ensure that employees have ergonomic workspaces that promote good posture and physical comfort. This can help prevent injuries and improve productivity.
6. Physical Challenges as Part of the L&D Function: Incorporate physical challenges or competitions into team-building activities or training programs. These can foster teamwork, improve problem-solving skills, and boost morale.

Fit Learning Teams

Fit doesn’t mean athletes or Olympians. It’s really about incorporating movement into workflows to bolster learning results. Movements should be appropriate to the abilities of those on the team.

What you will see in these ‘fit’ learning teams is:

• Higher Engagement: People are more motivated when they’re physically involved in learning.
• Better Retention: Hands-on learning sticks better. Employees remember—and apply—what they’ve learned.
• More Creativity: Physical activity can help spark creative thinking.
• Less Stress: Movement and mindfulness reduce stress, making for a healthier, happier workforce.
• More energised: Physical activity keeps energy levels high, increasing capacity
• Improved Teamwork: Physical challenges can bond teams in ways no Zoom meeting ever could.

So, Stay Moving

While AI and E-Learning platforms are fantastic tools, they’ll never fully replace the power of physical engagement. Whether in schools or offices, Hannaford’s work reminds us that humans learn best when their brains and bodies are both involved. As we ride the AI wave, there’s still plenty of space for real, human-centered learning—because at the end of the day, we’re more than just brains in jars.