Business leaders and Human Resources professionals should by now be well aware of the need for a digital learning ecosystem in the workplace. Education and development have always been crucial in the cultivation of a motivated and knowledgeable workforce. Traditional in-person education, however, is no longer always practical.
Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, vast numbers of people have worked either entirely remotely or using a hybrid model. This means that people are not always available to deliver educational content in person – or to be educated in person themselves. As such, fully digital and blended learning and development programs are now all the rage. In a blended system, a digital learning ecosystem is merged with in-person educational efforts.
In nature, an ecosystem is an interconnected network of flora and fauna in which all elements play a role in support of the environment and the life within it. A digital learning ecosystem can be seen in a similar way; all of the components of a digital learning ecosystem should work to support and enhance the provision of education as a whole.
Here are some of the crucial elements in a digital learning ecosystem.
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Business Intelligence Tools
One of the great advantages of modern digital learning in a corporate setting is that it allows for the collection of extremely useful data. The best digital learning platforms, like thinqi.com, operate as a kind of digital learning ecosystem, incorporating business intelligence tools that allow administrators to make sense of the huge amount of data created during the provision of education.
Useful data is produced by almost every interaction that members of a workforce have with digital learning resources. It can be used to improve future educational efforts and identify skill gaps within a business.
HMRS
An HMRS – standing for Human Resources Management System – is a digital tool used by companies to keep track of workforce members. Interestingly, it can be a crucial and useful part of the digital learning ecosystem.
If human resources management systems are synced up with digital learning resources, then the two can work symbiotically. Data from digital learning platforms can inform information about competencies and skill gaps in the workforce, and HMRS data can help to mold the educational requirements that are filled using the digital learning platform.
Learning Systems
Learning systems are the keystone components of a digital learning ecosystem. These systems distribute and store all resources used in digital learning. They facilitate feedback and act as central hubs for employees and employers alike.
Generally, there are two major kinds of digital learning systems in use today:
Learning Management System
Learning Management Systems are the most popular and most conventional digital learning system. They distribute resources to employees based on the specific requests of administrators and accept a limited amount of feedback.
Learning Experience Platform
Learning eXperience Platforms offer workers a more personalized and reciprocal learning experience. They use data to tailor the resources and methodologies fed to individuals in much the same way as services like Netflix customize recommended content using browsing history.