The importance of responsive learning in the modern workplace.

Mobile and responsive learning have been hot topics in L&D for a long time. Learning practitioners strived for an environment where their audience could access learning resources anywhere, at any time. Whether they were in a cab, on a plane, or in a coffee shop – L&D wants learning to be always at learners’ fingertips. But Covid-19 changed our working world. Employees are spending more time at home and less time commuting or travelling. In fact, 8 in 10 workers plan to maintain their hybrid working style long into the future and corporate travel is not expected to return to pre-pandemic levels until 2023. So with our employees spending more time at their desks, is responsive learning still necessary?

The answer: Absolutely. In fact, responsive learning is just as important now as it ever has been.

Responsive learning isn’t just about smartphones

When responsiveness became synonymous with mobile learning, L&D fell into a dangerous trap. Instead of considering a multitude of device sizes people might be using, L&D streamlined devices into two categories: mobiles and desktops. So, when employees were no longer on-the-move, responsiveness fell down the priority list. But responsive learning was never about just desktop and mobile – it was about everything in between. Instead of simply considering people learning on their commute, or in a café, responsive learning should have always been about empowering people to learn how they want to.

Just because your learners can access content on their desktops does not mean they want to

The boost in hybrid working has not only changed where people work, but it’s also changed how they spend their working day. Instead of using their desk as a central location, employees working from home now have the ability to move throughout the day, take their lunches in a more leisurely location, and work as they see fit.

So this means they don’t always want to have their desktop or laptop with them during the time when they’d be more likely to complete online learning. Instead, they might want to access learning content on their mobile phone while sitting in the garden, or on a tablet device while on their lunch break. And that’s the true essence of responsive learning, it’s about giving your people the freedom to choose when and where they learn.

Supporting your learners as they return to normal

But the truth is, responsive learning isn’t just about self-direction from learners, it also goes hand-in-hand with learning in the flow of work. As your employees return to post-pandemic business practices, having instant access to reliable knowledge resources is a comfort to many. For example, if your learner is a sales professional who’s heading to a face-to-face meeting for the first time since March 2020, they might feel comforted to know that they can double check information about your product or service on your learning platform, through their mobile device.

The comfort and companionship felt through a fully responsive learning experience doesn’t just stop with field workers. Many modern learning platforms are just one part of a much bigger picture of talent development, such as Totara’s TXP platform. Through Totara Engage, employees can communicate and connect with their colleagues. By enabling these collaborative features on all devices, we’re sure uptake will soar.

Learners expect digital content to be responsive

In today’s age, people expect to be able to access digital content on any device of their choosing. The concept that a website, eLearning course or PDF would not be accessible on a mobile device will be unfathomable to many of your employees. So, if you have found responsive learning slipping down your priority list in the last few years, take this opportunity to move it back to the top and make sure you’re offering your people the best possible experience. What’s more, if you’re on the hunt for a platform that is truly responsive, talk to us about Totara TXP, we’re sure it’ll tick all your boxes.