If until now the use of the smartphone in the classroom or in training was rather to be avoided, today it is used in the context of learning, as a privileged tool. However, even if manipulating your phone is literally natural for everyone, doing so in a training setting is not yet easy or a reflex for everyone.. So how do you properly prepare employees for mobile learning? Let's take stock in four steps.
Step 1: Involve them from the very beginning of training development
Preparing employees for Mobile learning starts at the ideation stage. Are you planning to use mobile learning in the context of training courses for employees? So it's pretty smart to involve them. From the reflection stage, for example by using a survey or a questionnaire about their training habits, what they are frustrated with, what they would like, how they feel about using a smartphone or tablet for training, if they have already used mobile learning in the past, etc. It is also at this stage that it may be interesting toidentify potential BETA testers, employees who will be the first to test the solution and provide their feedback according to their uses, frictions, etc. Finally, it will be productive to involve them in the development of training content, in order to adjust the levels of difficulty and the fluidity of the courses as well as their adequacy with real training needs.
What actions should be put in place?
1 - Ask employees about their training habits and preferences, as well as their understanding of mobile learning
2 - Identify potential BETA testers within the collaborators, who will be involved in the development of the solution
3 - Involve employees in the development of training content
Step 2: Identify ambassadors/early adopters
Continuously, identifying potential ambassadors and early adopters within learning collaborators makes it possible to Quickly engage them in the discovery and use of mobile learning in the context of training. They are the ones who have already used mobile learning in the past or who seem comfortable and motivated by the solution. Based on the model of peer influence, they will be the best allies in democratizing mobile learning among the entire group of learners. When launching the mobile learning solution in the company, they will be the ones who will help to understand the tool and who will animate it, especially in terms of social learning.
What actions should be put in place?
1 - Identify people who have already used mobile learning and those who seem enthusiastic about this training method
2 - Engage them from the testing and development phase, then position them as references for other learners
Step 3: Prepare for the launch of mobile learning training
Every launch deserves an event, a new training tool is no exception. To prepare employees for mobile learning, why not launch the solution with employees in a big way, for example with a major challenge. It can be a challenge based on quizzes during which learners measure themselves, but also a content creation challenge, in case social learning is in the spotlight. In this context, as our English-speaking cousins would say, “sky is the limit”, as long as we don't stray too far from the primary function of Mobile learning, training. Continuing, it is also appropriate to Bringing learners together to present the new tool. Depending on the corporate culture, the event and the presentation of the solution to everything can take a more or less formal form, we understand.
What actions should be put in place?
1 - Create a “highlight” moment, event or gathering, to present the solution to all employees
2 - Organize training challenges around the mobile learning application
Step 4: Support the first connections
In any case, preparing employees for mobile learning is not limited to presenting the solution, making them navigate for 1 hour in the middle of the modules and letting them go freewheeling without any follow-up. As with any new gesture, any more or less new technology, You have to create habits. Therefore, it will first be necessary to regularly invite learners to connect to complete modules. In a second step, it will be important to continuously update the mobile learning training tool with new content, in order to motivate employees to get in the habit of coming back.
What actions should be put in place?
1 - Regularly invite learners to log in to complete modules
2 - Update the mobile learning training tool with new content, in order to motivate employees to get in the habit of coming back.
