With so many innovative training methods coming to the forefront in several professional sectors, businesses are only limiting the learning capabilities of their employees by failing to integrate interactive training techniques into their development programmes.
When it comes to retention and engagement in the workplace, interactive methods are typically better positioned to drive results on an organisational scale. The Learning Pyramid, adapted from the NTL Institute of Applied Behavioural Science, shows that interactive activities such as group discussions and peer reviews have a higher retention rate on average compared to traditional methods like lectures and reading.
So, what exactly is interactive training? And how can business leaders begin to introduce it into their workplace training programmes?
What is interactive training?
Interactive training is an approach that allows individuals to actively engage with the material they have been given, attempting to solve problems and improve their skills in real-time. Compared to traditional training methods, it allows for a more streamlined experience.
In the workplace, interactive methods serve to give employees an opportunity to undertake a trial and error approach to their development, providing a clearer view of the areas they excel in, and also any areas they appear to be struggling with.
For business leaders, interactive training will highlight to them which employees are performing at optimum levels and engaging with their roles, and perhaps more importantly, highlight those who are underperforming.
How can interactive training be integrated into the workplace?
While each employee will learn and develop their skills in unique ways, promoting interactivity as part of workplace training programmes will provide individuals with more options to maximise their learning retention, as well as allowing them to communicate with others more effectively.
From group discussions to e-learning platforms and business simulations, the possibilities appear to be endless for companies who want to promote an interactive learning environment. In utilising these methods, and the emerging technologies that come with them (virtual reality, AI and cloud learning to name a few), an entire workforce will become familiarised with the digital age. They will also be able to implement new innovations into their everyday routine, thus securing a return on investment and improving general operations.
While this may appear daunting for business leaders who have drawn on traditional methods for many years, it can be embraced alongside the training programmes that have served the company in the past, and be utilised to improve the general training structure for the foreseeable future.
According to Shift, ineffective training programmes cost businesses $13.5m (£10.9m) every year, further highlighting the importance of implementing and maintaining effective training in the workplace.
MDA Training's approach
Here at MDA Training, we offer a number of digital solutions for businesses in a vast range of professional industries, taking advantage of interactive methods, we can construct a training programme that engages each individual and improves learning retention. For more information, view our services here.
In summary, a business that ignores interactive training methods as part of their workplace training programmes will fall behind competitors in regards to preparing their employees for the digital age. They also run the risk of limiting the development of improved communication and development for individuals at all levels of the business hierarchy.