Change and uncertainty: The making or the breaking of corporate learning and development

Change and uncertainty: the making or the breaking of corporate learning and development Clive Shepherd

100000 years ago

Learning methods are timeless case studies assessment simulation role-play demonstration practice instruction coaching briefings games feedback reading lectures discussion collaboration work experience projects visits questioning research reflection networking observation consultation sharing performance support exploration discovery

… although the emphasis can shift case studies assessment simulation role-play demonstration practice instruction coaching briefings games feedback reading lectures discussion collaboration work experience projects visits questioning research reflection networking observation consultation sharing exploration discovery performance support

Forces for change

CONNECTIVISM Forces for change 1

“ Instead of the individual having to evaluate and process every bit of information, she/he creates a personal network of trusted nodes: people and content, enhanced by technology. The act of knowledge is offloaded onto the network itself.” George Siemens, Knowing Knowledge Forces for change 1

NEUROSCIENCE Forces for change 1

Forces for change 1 learning styles? neuro-linguistic programming? Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

Forces for change 1 Soft skills Guided discovery Intuition Creativity Empowerment Learner goals Constructivism Happy sheets Hard skills Instruction Systems Analysis Control Learning objectives Behaviourism Assessment RATIONALISTS ROMANTICS

“ Teachers do not create learning. Learners create learning. Teachers create the conditions under which learning can take place. Our schools don’t function like that, which is why somebody once joked that schools are places where kids go to watch teachers work.” Prof. Dylan Wiliam Forces for change 1

Forces for change 2 Gen Y: digital, social and always-on

Forces for change 2 Two ways of looking at Gen Y “ Gen Y are tolerant, optimistic, collaborative, open-minded and driven.” suite101.com “ Gen Y are the 'diva' generation: high-maintenance, out for themselves, lacking in loyalty, thinking only of the short term and their own place in it..” Association of Graduate Recruiters

Forces for change 2 How Gen Y want learning to be: Interactive Student-centred Authentic Collaborative On-demand don’t we all? Barking Robot, 2006

Forces for change 2 But in the end, we need to do the right thing, not pamper to Gen Y or anyone else

So, new thinking and new expectations demand a shift in emphasis … case studies assessment simulation role-play demonstration practice instruction coaching briefings games feedback reading lectures discussion collaboration work experience projects visits questioning research reflection networking observation consultation sharing performance support exploration discovery

“ 72% of all training challenges are time-critical.” Bersin & Associates (2005) TIME PRESSURES Forces for change 3

Forces for change 3

Forces for change 3 TOP DOWN BOTTOM-UP A PYRAMID OF LEARNING INTERVENTIONS

ENVIRONMENTAL PRESSURES Forces for change

COST PRESSURES Forces for change

Forces for change “ Be aware that the magnitude of the financial meltdown is almost beyond comprehension. I can foresee training departments being eliminated almost entirely.” Jay Cross(2008)

Oh yeh, try telling that to Coca Cola, Facebook, BP, Glaxo … Forces for change But surely employees are our greatest asset

Employees are not your greatest asset They’re much more important than that!

Forces for change Surely training should be seen as an investment, not a cost Fair enough, so what sort of return can you give me and with what confidence?

We choose methods to maximise the effectiveness of learning

We choose media to maximise the efficiency of learning

And the new pressures (time, environmental, budgetary) require, above all, greater efficiencies

We can’t meet these pressures just by changing methods but luckily …

Learning media are evolving rapidly books podcasts/ vodcasts CDs streaming media tapes web pages DVDs simulators downloadable documents chat rooms instant messaging email forums social networks wikis web conferencing blogs telephone teleconferencing SMS workbooks

New learning media enable change

WEB 2.0 TOOLS New learning media enable change

RAPID DEVELOPMENT TOOLS New learning media enable change

TOOLS FOR CREATING VIRTUAL WORLDS New learning media enable change

MOBILE DEVICES New learning media enable change

EVER MORE ACCESSIBLE COMPUTING New learning media enable change

LOW-PRICE, HIGH QUALITY MEDIA CREATION New learning media enable change

3G WIDESPREAD BROADBAND AVAILABILITY New learning media enable change

A time for action … “ When the rate of change outside exceeds the rate of change inside, the end is in sight.” Jack Welch

… not rearranging the deckchairs

Take action this week “ Survivors must write new agendas while they still have desks to write on.” Jay Cross (2008)

100000=32 years ago