TOPICS

CONTEXTUALIZED LEARNING

Learning Journey

AUTHORED BY:

RABAB HAIDER | KNOLSKAPE EDITORIAL TEAM

What is a Learning Journey?

A learning journey is a series of formal and informal training programs that ingrain new knowledge, build existing skills and boost professional development. Learning journeys include different learning experiences that occur over time. They involve personalized content and a variety of delivery methods that result in new knowledge, skills, attitudes and a positive behavioral change. Employees might go through a learning journey to master their skill set, learn a new job role or to further their education. Team members who are truly engaged in the learning journey will not only build their skills but will also find purpose in the work they do.

Learning journeys are beneficial to organizations because they encourage employee engagement and professional development, while creating a culture of learning. Having an effective learning journey will facilitate behavior changes that align with the business goals of the organization. This will ensure the performance and productivity of the organization.

What Do We Gain From Having a Learning Journey?

The concept of a learning journey goes beyond traditional training programs by offering a more holistic and continuous learning experience.

It emphasizes the importance of ongoing development and growth, enabling individuals to acquire new skills, deepen their knowledge, and apply their learning in real-world contexts.

By following a learning journey, individuals embark on a purposeful and guided learning path, progressively building their competencies, expanding their understanding, and gaining the confidence to apply their knowledge and skills effectively.

It is a transformative approach that empowers learners to take ownership of their learning and achieve their personal and professional goals.

To make it short:

Your employees will deliver better results

Your employees will stay for longer at your company

Your company keeps its competitive edge

Types of Learning Journeys

#01 | Skill-Based Learning Journeys

These journeys focus on developing specific skills or competencies. They guide learners through a progression of learning activities and assessments that target the desired skill set, allowing learners to acquire and apply the skills in a practical context.

#02 | Career Development Learning Journeys

These journeys are designed to support learners in advancing their careers. They provide a structured roadmap of learning activities, including targeted courses, mentoring opportunities, and practical projects that help learners develop the necessary knowledge and skills for career progression.

#03 | Onboarding and Induction Learning Journeys

These journeys are tailored for new employees, helping them quickly acclimate to their roles, company culture, and work processes. They provide a comprehensive introduction to key concepts, policies, and tools necessary for successful onboarding and integration into the organization.

#04 | Leadership Development Learning Journeys

These journeys are designed for aspiring leaders and managers, focusing on developing leadership skills, strategic thinking, and decision-making abilities. They incorporate a mix of theoretical learning, case studies, simulations, and opportunities for practical application.

How Do You Start a Learning Journey for Your Organization?

Creating an effective learning journey that aligns with organisational goals involves several key steps and considerations. Instructional designers play an important role in this process, ensuring that learning opportunities are not only identified but also maximised for the benefit of both learners and the organisation. Here’s how you start off with an effective learning journey:

| Highlight Available Learning Opportunities

Start by mapping out the learning landscape within your organisation. This involves identifying existing resources, and potential areas for development, and aligning them with the career paths of your employees. Make these opportunities visible and accessible to all, encouraging a culture of self-initiated learning.

| Detail the Benefits for Employees

Communicate the value of engaging in the learning journey clearly. Focus on how these activities contribute to personal growth, such as enhancing self-esteem, offering avenues for self-development, and providing recognition for achievements. This motivation can lead to increased engagement and participation.

| Engage with Innovative Learning Methods

Incorporate modern learning techniques such as gamification, virtual reality, scenario-based learning, and immersive experiences to capture the interest of learners and improve retention rates. These methods make learning more interactive and enjoyable, leading to better outcomes.

| Ensure Accessibility of Information

Make learning resources available during work hours to integrate learning seamlessly into the daily workflow. This accessibility helps learners conveniently find and use resources without disrupting their productivity.

| Support Learning with Tools

Use performance support tools during formal events and as part of the everyday learning process. These tools can provide on-the-spot guidance and aid in the application of new knowledge, thereby enhancing the learning experience.

| Get an Expert Onboard

It’s imperative to get a learning partner onboard who specializes in designing and executing learning journeys. While the research can be done by the internal team and you must know what you want an as outcome for the organization, a learning partner can get the desired results, keeping in mind other factors like unconscious biases, DEI, sustainability of the journey, etc.

| Emphasise Practice and Feedback

Encourage learners to apply what they’ve learned in real-world scenarios and offer tools for follow-up and reinforcement. Constructive feedback is vital after these practice sessions, as it helps learners understand their progress and areas for improvement.

Make KNOLSKAPE Your Learning Partner, Today!

KNOLSKAPE is one of the world’s best experiential learning AI platforms. Leveraging the world’s most extensive library of online business simulations, rich talent intelligence, and a cutting-edge learning experience platform, KNOLSKAPE helps leaders and organizations build current and future capabilities to take their businesses from 1x to 10x growth.

With a direct presence in the US, India, Singapore, Malaysia, and partner offices in 45 cities across the globe, KNOLSKAPE serves a rapidly growing global customer base across 12 industries. More than 400 organizations across 75 countries have benefited from KNOLSKAPE’s award-winning new-age learning methodologies.

A certified Great Place to Work® organization, KNOLSKAPE has also been recognized as a global top 20 gamification company and a leader in experiential learning by Brandon Hall, Frost & Sullivan, and Bersin by Deloitte.