Introducing New Tech into Existing Learning Structures

Clean energy companies are popping up everywhere. As they keep growing, so do their learning programs. Organizations must be strategic about how they introduce new technology into these programs. When done effectively, new technology allows existing initiatives to reach more learners and can vastly improve the quality of the employee’s experience. When done poorly, new technology can impede an entire program and cause employees to disengage.

The Importance of Technology in Learning Programs

Learning and development initiatives increasingly rely on technology. The right tech allows companies to reach wider audiences, including employees working remotely and in the field, and enables more interactivity, boosting retention and practical application. Perhaps most importantly, tech-enabled learning solutions are easier for learning professionals to tailor for specific learner needs, improving accessibility and inclusivity.

Practical Advice for Introducing New Tech

To integrate new learning technology smoothly, teams should prioritize ease of use, accessibility, and continuous improvement. Even though each organization will have unique needs and resources for how they transition their learning programs, here are five best practices to help any team introduce new technology successfully:

1. Conduct a Thorough Needs Assessment

Always complete a comprehensive needs assessment before introducing new technology. This helps identify learning needs, challenges, and goals so that the new technology can make a meaningful difference. Engage with stakeholders, including learners, instructors, and managers, to gather insights on what’s working and not in current learning programs.

A geothermal power company conducted surveys and focus groups with field technicians to ask about gaps in their current training. These focus groups uncovered the need for more accessible on-the-go learning materials, influencing the company’s decision to invest in a mobile-friendly learning technology.

2. Choose User-Friendly Technology

Any tech upgrade should make learning easier and more engaging. New technology must be intuitive and easy to use where and how employees will interact with it. Tools that frustrate learners will create training bottlenecks and lower retention rates.

A solar energy company launched a mobile learning platform designed for quick and easy navigation. To help learners get started, it included features like offline access, push notifications, and step-by-step tutorials. Solar Installers can access quick reference modules when on the job site.

3. Pilot Programs and Gradual Rollout

Try out new technology with small groups and collect feedback before launching broadly. Pilot programs highlight issues and let teams test solutions. Organizations can mitigate risk and ensure major problems are addressed as efficiently as possible by running a pilot or phased rollout for any new technology.

The Chief Learning Officer at a hydropower company invited the Human Resources function to use a new Learning Management System (LMS) for three months before anyone else. After hearing their feedback, the Learning team addressed several functional concerns before expanding the new LMS organization-wide.

4. Provide Comprehensive Training and Support

Learners may need initial training and ongoing support to use the new technology correctly. Provide training sessions, user manuals, video tutorials, and access to online support as needed. If employees understand how the new technology is supposed to benefit them and their experience, they will likely adopt it more easily, so be sure to include its benefits in all communications.

A wind power company offered live training webinars and Q&A sessions about using the new e-learning platform. Employees could then reference recordings of the webinar or reach out to a dedicated support team with any technical issues or questions.

5. Continuously Evaluate and Improve

As with all aspects of a learning program, an assessment cycle helps keep the technology relevant and effective over time. Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the new technology and make improvements or further upgrades based on learner feedback and performance. Establish metrics for success and use them to assess whether the technology continues to meet the program’s objectives.

An offshore wind farm uses regular feedback loops, including monthly surveys and performance analytics, to gauge the effectiveness of its new mobile learning modules. Analyzing this data allows it to continuously refine the content and delivery methods of the modules to better meet worker needs.

Leverage Cutting-Edge Technology

Integrating new technology into existing learning programs can increase training effectiveness, particularly for workers who require accessible and flexible learning options.

To further enhance your learning programs, take the GPS Quiz today. This personalized assessment will help you identify strengths and areas for improvement in the Technology Domain of your learning programs, providing actionable insights to optimize your training strategies.