Some recent format innovations to inspire you
Here are some current and innovative learning formats that clients are using now, that you can consider as part of your repertoire of options.
Blended learning journeys
One of the most popular and impactful approaches we see now is the creation of blended learning journeys (or pathways). Journeys balance individual paced learning with bringing people together, in ways that align as closely as possible to the normal rhythm of work. This boosts learning retention and application of a desired skill or behaviour change.
A fully blended approach incorporates multiple modalities that appeal to different learning styles and preferences, and can be used interchangeably to create the optimum learning journey and to achieve the desired outcome. A journey guides the learner through a combination of interactive digital content, expert-led live workshops (virtual or in-person), practice sessions, internal communication/marketing techniques, and sustainment activities. The focus is the learning journey or experience, not a one-off event/intervention or just on-demand content. We break the learning journey down into phases - excite, engage, embed, evolve. We've used this method for many years with great success.
Bite-size training
Ideal for delivery to groups and teams, bite-size training sessions are short expert-led sessions covering the what, why, and how of a topic, and are delivered at pace.
They can be virtual or face-to-face, and can be run either standalone or as part of a blended programme.
Great for breakfast briefings, ‘lunch and learn’ sessions or as an energising and inspiring close to a working day. They are ‘time-friendly’, typically being 60-90 minutes. They are interactive, fun and engaging and tend to be focused on a specific topic.
Leadership lab
This type of learning experience is led by the needs of the individual learner and their unique operating context. They work on real challenges or issues in a small group, where they are supported with their thinking and action planning.
The space is ‘held’ for the group to actively reflect and learn through a facilitated process; incorporating additional research and practical techniques to foster immediate application of learning and development around some of today's most urgent leadership challenges.
Leadership Labs can be delivered in-person or virtually and each one in just 90 minutes. Relevant real-world context is set by the business goals and challenges and is honed further by the individual leaders within the lab itself.
Virtual reality
Well-designed virtual and F2F can deliver ‘the 3Cs’ – depending on the type of content, learning design and the group.
We don’t recommend hybrid sessions – i.e., some in the room and some virtual – this is rarely done well. Hybrid/blended journeys work best.
Evidence shows remote teams can outcompete in-person teams by adopting best practices in digital communication and collaboration (HBR, 2022)
Workshops in the Metaverse
We are trialling running a range of our expert-led workshops virtually in the Metaverse.
For some this is a really new and engaging experience. People who are used to gaming and using tech particularly benefit from this approach. Again, we are seeing this as part of a blended approach, as preparing for the session is key, setting the context for the experience and follow-up activity to take the learning forward is key.
We are exploring the possibilities of the metaverse and how this can be applied to help organisations with their L&D more generally also.
If you’d like to experience this approach, drop us a line and join our next trial session.