How COVID has changed learning in the workplace

 Viren Kapadia  August 26, 2020  
How COVID has changed learning in the workplace

It would be difficult to imagine a factor that has been as impactful as the COVID-19 pandemic in transforming the way the global business world operates. The several weeks-long lockdown that had to be put into place meant that almost all business activity had to be conducted through a Work From Home (WFH) arrangement. The following are different ways in which COVID-19 has changed the way the training exercise would be conducted:

1. Learn From Home (LFH)

Just as homes have turned into workplaces, they have also become into training classrooms. Companies have to conduct live training sessions over virtual platforms as against getting all intended trainees together in a classroom environment. Moreover, with companies having discovered the positives of allowing employees to WFH, possibly even in the post-pandemic era, the same privileges will continue to be provided. Which means, to a large extent, even LFH would be a norm in the coming future. This will help companies significantly cut down the cost incurred on traveling, accommodation, and higher office space rentals to conduct classroom-based training for employees from diverse locations.

2. Growing use of Learning Management Systems (LMS)

While the existing video-conferencing apps offer a platform to conduct live online training sessions, they are not proprietary to the company. Also, they do not have features to allow easy scheduling of training sessions and notifying the same to intended trainees. Essentially the existing video-calling apps are not customized to suit the requirements of the Training and Development (T&D) function. It is here where the role of LMS comes in. Not only does LMS offer a platform to easily schedule and conduct virtual training sessions, it also facilitates the centralized storage of learning content which can be accessed whenever necessary.

Gyrus has been one of the leading players in the LMS market. We have been helping clients across industry sectors achieve a digital transformation of their T&D function through offering customized LMS solutions. Ever since the pandemic spread around the world, we have been witnessing a ___% increase in clients seeking to obtain an LMS solution to aid their training exercise.

3. Pre-Recorded Training Sessions

While an LMS does facilitate live training sessions, what it also does is allow pre-recorded sessions to be offered to trainees. Pre-recorded sessions have two advantages:

  • The same session need not be repeated by a trainer multiple times to different groups of trainees. It just has to be recorded once and then it can be made accessible to different trainees as and when required.
  • Trainees do not have to be present at the same time for a session. They may take the modules assigned to them at a time of their convenience within a stipulated deadline

Moreover, pre-recorded sessions allow the use of visualization tools which can enhance the learning experience. Also, if the learning modules are recorded in a modular manner, it is easy to update specific parts if required.

The above are different ways in which COVID has been instrumental in changing the learning exercise is conducted at workplaces. As is amply clear from the above, it is essential for companies to adopt the use of LMS products to help them respond to the current situation and mould their training policies suitably. And at Gyrus, we would love to be your partner in these current times and help you overcome the challenges involved in upskilling your workforce.