A lack of engagement can impact the effectiveness of your learning and development programme and the productivity of your learners. Engaged learners are more likely to remember and recall information accurately, apply knowledge effectively, and develop a deeper understanding of the learning material.
Understand your learner.
Understanding your learner and the desired outcomes for the learner's L&D programme is a crucial part of keeping them engaged. Start by identifying the learner’s role and responsibilities and any knowledge gaps they may have. This way you can inform individual team members of recommended learning materials.
The Development Zone can collect data on learners' completed courses and supervisors can use these to provide recommended content and feedback, tailoring the learning experience to each learner's specific requirements and maximising their learning potential.
Take performance reviews as an opportunity to understand learners’ goals and aspirations as well as their preferred method of learning. A blended learning approach may suit individuals learning styles.
Create a supportive learning environment.
Within your firm, learners should feel motivated to take part in learning activities, ask questions and collaborate with team members. Consider creating opportunities for learners to work with people in more senior roles. This allows learners to ask questions and discuss with people more knowledgeable than them.
Building an environment where everyone feels connected is particularly important now, with the shift towards remote or hybrid working. Take advantage of the messaging tool available within the Development Zone to encourage communication, collaboration, and topic discussions.
Provide custom content.
The Development Zone includes hundreds of courses on regulatory topics including the IDD, vulnerable customers, SM&CR, personal and commercial lines, cyber risks, data protection and more. However, there may be a need to upload content specific to your business. Make It a habit to review content in the Development Zones course catalogue and identify courses that are missing that would benefit your firm. The custom content tool allows you to build and upload your content that's personal to your firm in multiple formats such as a SCORM, quiz and seminars.
A wide variety of files can also be uploaded as individual elements. These include images, Video and Audio, text documents, PDF Documents and Microsoft Office documents.
Organise the content in the Development Zone into learning pathways for a specific topic or certain role. Share recommended content with learners through the allocation of learning tool that appeals to their interests and their completion history. Customising your system’s look and feel with your firm's custom branding is a great method for increasing learner engagement.
Provide a blended learning solution.
Blended learning is a combination of multiple training methods such as online courses, instructor-led training, classroom-based workshops, real-life projects, and so on, to create a learning experience that caters to various learning styles.
Blended learning can help motivate learners. Blended learning diversifies the learning experience and helps to prevent boredom. It also reduces the in-person time required to complete a course and provides more convenience and flexibility through the online material.
Blended learning also provides learner groups with more opportunities to socialise, bond and discuss topics with their fellow learners. That way, it increases their emotional engagement and strengthens their connection to the learning experience.
If you are interested in putting together a blended learning solution for your business or would like more information about our custom content tool, we would be pleased to help you. For more information, please contact helpdesk@rwagroup.co.uk
If you are not already signed up for the Development Zone, click here to sign up for a 14-day free trial.
About the author
Luke Forrest
Luke joined RWA from July 2022 - July 2023. He has 10 years of graphic design experience creating marketing material and 7 years of direct marketing experience, most recently working as a freelance social media marketing manager. Luke’s role at RWA involved overseeing RWA's social media channels and assisting with the creation of e-learning and blog content.
