The Trouble with Technology
Technology seems to be progressing faster than ever before – we hear much about innovation in communication, information and transformation, but is all of this really productive? Can too much technology be detrimental in the work place and in building relationships with other people?
There are many advantages to technology and people argue that advancements only increase our options rather than replace existing ways of working. We used pencil and then the pen came along, however we didn’t stop using a pencil. We had bicycles and then we had cars – yet we still use bicycles. While this is very true for travel and for writing, what do the technological advancements mean for learning?
Does technology enhance or reduce our ability to learn?
With so many apps and tools now, we can travel around the world without getting lost, without having to learn to read a map or learn a few key phrases before we go – ‘wonderful’ – you might say, ‘This means we can get on with our holiday with ease, it saves us money, we get the correct food order, we get to where we want to go.’ But it means we are learning so much less.
With so much information just at the click of a button, some might say that this means even more learning – however, too much information at once, accessed so easily can lead to overload. It may leave more room in our brains for other things but does the whole process make us saturated and lazy?
More connected yet less communication
We email, we text, we Skype, we tweet and we share – we’re constantly in touch with our friends and family, we’re always available and always online, yet somewhere along the way we’ve lost the art of communication.
While technology allows us to take a more flexible approach to work, has it provided us with the new found leisure time to spend with our family and friends that we predicted?
In this increasingly connected world people are feeling lonelier than ever and recent research indicates that loneliness could be the next biggest public health issue, as we continue to rely on social technology rather than face to face interaction.
In the workplace we email the person sat opposite rather than just speaking to them. Our communication and telephone techniques training course is increasingly in demand as a result of this. Companies are finding that more and more of their younger workforce have no confidence speaking on the telephone.
How do people really want to learn?
At Righttrack, we asked 2,980 learners which training methodologies they prefer and the results provided to be very revealing. Although 75% of organisations adopting learning technologies, less than 30% of the participants chose e-Learning as one of their top three methodologies. Consequently, there is a disparity between the type of learning companies are leaning towards and what resonates most with employees i.e. on-the-job training, coaching and classroom training.
What are the alternatives to tech?
At Righttrack, we offer e-Less Learning™, a new learning methodology that provides the convenience and cost-benefits of e-learning, as well as the engagement and effectiveness of face-to-face training. It comprises a series of custom-written learning sessions expertly designed to be picked up and facilitated by anyone, anywhere; by managers, team leaders or colleagues ‘in the moment’, in team meetings, over a coffee, or on the job.
Sessions are generally short and snappy (10 – 60 minutes) and creatively designed to run stand-alone or linked to others to form more in-depth modules. They are designed to embed and reinforce understanding and skills in ways that e-learning cannot. The focus can be on any subject; in particular those that involve developing self-awareness, communication and behavioural skills. You can use e-Less Learning™ to embed your values, reinforce your customer service ethos, develop sales skills, management techniques, or awareness of diversity and inclusion.
e-Less Learning™ is the perfect solution for organisations who:
- Are looking for a cost-effective, scalable and effective training delivery methodology
- Have non-desk based teams or for whom e-Learning isn’t a viable option
- Are working with a tight budget per head but fixed on implementing engaging and effective learning
- Aren’t convinced that the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to e-learning’s effectiveness and ability to engage. Or have reservations about the standalone use of many learning technologies for soft skills training
- Want to promote a collaborative learning culture
We believe that learners really want training tailored to their personal development needs, however fully meeting the demands of ‘Just for Me’ learning is a costly approach. e-Less Learning™ satisfies both the operational and budgetary requirements of organisations, as well as the preferences of the learner. Our approach brings the personalisation of on-the-job training and coaching (often by up-skilled managers); the convenience and flexibility of e-Learning; and the enrichment of engaging, quality, tailored classroom training.
If you would like to see an example e-Less Learning™ pack and discuss how this simple but revolutionary approach can work in practice, for your organisation, contact us and we will schedule a short introductory meeting.
Contact Us or Click here to find out more about e-Less Learning.