The future of L&D in a digital age is about unleashing human potential rather than reinforcing quality, routine work. Rather than focusing on telling L&D “what” to create for a digital age, the philosophy behind the Learning Cluster Design model focuses on building capability around the thought process - the “how” and “why” - moving L&D beyond its traditional limitations and into a position to allow modern learners to choose [...]

In traditional L&D, it’s common to see the majority of our efforts spent on times when our learners need to learn something for the first time. It could be a new technology rollout, a new process employees have to learn, or a new product line the company will be selling. We spend weeks, if not months, developing training around these changes, roll out said learning initiative and then boom, on [...]

The Learning Cluster Design model calls for a new way of thinking about L&D’s goal and role within organizations. Our third principle “Focus on Learner Needs” states that our context as training designers and deliverers is no longer as important as the context of the learner. Whereas in the past L&D had limited tools to deliver learning, today we can deliver learning when, where, and how the learner needs it. [...]

It’s three weeks into the new year and I’m sure you’re already thinking ahead to the success you want in 2021. Our goals shape our solutions and results. When transitioning from creating “peanut butter,” one-size-fits all training to designing strategic learning clusters to meet learners in their moment of learning need, L&D professionals need to set new goals. So, what does this new goal look like? The new goal is [...]

As we approach Thanksgiving here in the US and the end of the year in general, I find myself reflecting on the year. This year brought along with it many workplace shifts and challenges. For L&D, the biggest shift we faced was reimagining workplace learning without live, in person training classes. Many L&D professionals were quick to convert all of their instructor-led live training into eLearning courses and curriculums, spending [...]

We all do it. We cram as much content into a training course as we can. Why? Because once we get an employee’s attention, we have to take advantage of that time; otherwise, we may not see these learners again for some time to come. But what if we could do it differently? What if, instead of providing learning assets that employees use only once every few months (see How the [...]

The following is a Q&A with Crystal Kadakia and Lisa M.D. Owens, the authors of Designing for Modern Learning: Beyond ADDIE and SAM, the latest book from ATD Press about how L&D professionals can better design for the modern learner. 1. What does “Designing for Modern Learning” mean? Is there a definition for modern learning or for the modern learner? Crystal:When people hear the term modern learner, almost everyone thinks or describes [...]

In Designing for Modern Learning: Beyond ADDIE and SAM (ATD Press, June 2020), L&D experts Crystal Kadakia and Lisa M.D. Owens introduce the Owens-Kadakia Learning Cluster Design (OK-LCD) model to address the question of how L&D professionals can better design for modern learning. In a world where learning is needed every day, the role of L&D is more important than ever, but the toolkit used by L&D professionals is outdated [...]

“Who are we designing for?” That’s traditionally one of the first questions asked by L&D when starting a training project. Typically, there’s just one answer, and it sounds something like this: all managers, or IT employees using the XYZ program, or customer-facing employees. In other words, it’s a description of the one target audience. Once we have that single target learner group definition, we design one training solution to cover the needs of this [...]

Has L&D already given up on having a presence in informal learning? Are we going to remain stuck in our world of classes and courses, the world of counting seats filled and clicks on e-learning? We’re seeing some L&D professionals willing to embrace new possibilities, but most are struggling to find a way forward. That’s no surprise; our industry is facing a staggering increase in complexity as well as organizational [...]

Millennials: the word we are – dare I say it – sick of. Yet we still don’t understand how to deal with the changes that became urgent when this generation joined the workplace. I began speaking on this topic over five years ago when I saw HR leaders repeating generational stereotypes. In my work, I have given over 100 talks that have left attendees saying, “I will never use the [...]

Today’s busy employees desire quick, convenient access to information so they can react immediately to constant change in the business world as well work on upskilling themselves when it fits into their schedule. Crystal Kadakia and Lisa M.D. Owens describe the modern learner as: “Someone who is in an environment where content changes fast and learning needs change even faster. Modern learners want answers right away and rely on a [...]

Being part of a modern learning and development (L&D) organization can be easier than you think. It does not mean you have to buy and learn to use all the latest high-tech apps, software, and e-whatever. Instead, it means looking at the role of L&D through a different lens. Most L&D organizations are caught up in the rat race of trying to deliver more and more training to help employees [...]

We design learning for an increasingly diverse environment, spanning regions, ages, generations, functions, and roles. But are you a modern learner? What does it mean to be a modern learner? Picture the last time you needed new information or to learn a new skill, personally or professionally. How did you discover the answer? Chances are, you used a search engine, read articles, or watched videos until you closed your knowledge [...]