More companies are realizing the benefits of investing in their learning strategies, and they are increasing the amount they put into them. Here, we’ll explore how learning technologies can help learning and development (L&D) leaders achieve their goals for 2023 and beyond.

The Business Case for Learning Tech

As the learning function becomes more important, companies are increasing their investment in it. According to recent research from Training Industry, many of the organizations surveyed said that they had plans to increase their learning technology budgets in the coming years.

To keep this trend growing, L&D leaders need to focus on communicating the value of training to their organization’s stakeholders. To make sure that your training and development efforts meet your goals, you need to be able to show value and get buy-in from key stakeholders in your organization.

Not only does that mean building a business case for learning technology investments and strategy, but it also means ensuring those projects reach their goals, which isn’t easy.

The latest generation of eLearning platforms and learning technologies can help meet these challenges and build more engaging experiences for learners, across demographics and industries.

It may seem obvious that training should bring value to the business, but proving the value of L&D is a notorious challenge. You need a way to measure the value of training, and you need to be able to communicate that value in a compelling way. The support of key stakeholders for your efforts is critical in ensuring you have the resources you need to deliver impactful training in the new year.

Business cases for learning technology investments and strategy are important because they help you build the case for additional resources and support within your organization — a big step forward on your journey as a learning leader!

A Learning Technologist’s Model for Training

A learning technologist’s model for the L&D function is one that uses technology to deliver learning experiences. Let’s walk through how an effective learning technologist’s model can benefit your organization.

Learning technologists understand the importance of using technology to deliver training that keeps employees up-to-date with current information and best practices. They know how to determine which technology is best suited for each type of course material, and they can develop strategies for getting employees engaged with their eLearning content to drive better results from their training programs.

Support Remote Work With Digital-first Experiences

Learning technologies can also help you support productive remote working with digital-first learning experiences. This includes tools that enable you to blend multiple sources of content, such as video, audio and text. These combined resources can help learners retain more information than individual resources alone.

Another way to use learning technologies is to provide blended learning experiences that combine online content with interactions between learners and instructors in real-time. Using a mix of formats (e.g., live sessions and self-paced videos) helps keep learners engaged by providing opportunities for feedback and interaction, and it makes sense when considering the diversity of today’s workforce across time zones and geographic locations.

You may also want to consider using technology to support collaboration and community among your staff by creating performance support tools that help people get work done faster or more efficiently.

One of the most effective ways to create powerful, relevant learning experiences is to blend multiple sources of content. The following technologies enable you to do this:

• Learning management systems (LMSs).
• Learning content management systems (LCMSs).
• Learning authoring tools.
• Assessment tools.

Using these learning technologies can help with your migration to a digital-first, blended learning experience for your learners.

Why Use Blended Learning Experiences?

Blended learning experiences provide the best of both worlds when it comes to training and development. There are a number of reasons why blended learning is so effective, such as:

• Increased engagement: The social aspect of face-to-face training helps create an environment where employees feel comfortable asking questions or offering opinions. This makes it easy for them to connect with one another, which increases their interest in what they are
• Better retention: When you combine online content with hands-on activities that engage multiple senses (through tools like video), you create an environment where learners have a better chance of retaining information long after they finish the course.
• More efficient use of time: With virtual classrooms and asynchronous learning methods available through eLearning environments, you can use one hour per day instead of spending three full days on site at a training facility — and still get the same amount done!

Learning Technology To Support and Build Community

Collaboration is key to effective training and development. And for it to be effective, you need tools for your team members to communicate effectively as they work together.

You can use learning technologies like videoconferencing tools and messaging apps to help your team collaborate more effectively. Videoconferencing is key in supporting dispersed teams and has various uses in learning as well. Messaging apps also help team members stay connected, no matter where they’re located.

Learning technologies offer employees a space in which they can share knowledge on a broader scale than just within their own company’s walls.

This could take many forms: It might mean creating an online forum where people who are interested in a certain topic can ask questions and discuss answers; it could mean creating a blog post series based around answering questions about how-to topics related specifically to one industry sector; or it might mean providing an online library of videos that offer step-by-step instructions on how best practices should be executed within different settings (e.g., “How do I install this software?”).

Use Performance Support Tools to Improve Productivity

Performance support is a broad term that refers to any kind of interaction between a person and technology that results in improved job performance. Examples of this include digital adoption software applications, online training courses, chatbots and other artificial intelligence (AI) tools that offer suggestions or answer questions while you are working on a project.

You can use performance support tools to train employees on new processes or procedures; they can also be used to help them improve their productivity by offering tips related to specific tasks or projects.

When used effectively, these tools can save time and money by helping employees get things done faster and more efficiently than they could without them … which means your business benefits as well!

In Conclusion

With the right learning technology and strategies in place, training and development leaders can continue to drive value for their organization. And by focusing on communication and collaboration, L&D leaders can create a positive impact on the business, supporting innovative ways of working and increasing productivity.