In today’s world in the midst of a recession companies have trimmed their labor forces while keeping or expanding the same level of service and product offerings.  This places stress on an already task saturated workforce who simply cannot afford time away from the job for training.  Couple that with new skills and capabilities needed to meet market demands along with reduced training budgets and the need for a different and cost effective way to deliver training has risen.

Learning Bursts puts the needs of the participant first. While employees can no longer afford days away from the job for training I uncovered through years interviewing students that they could find 20 minutes a day to learn something new related to their job.  And they need it on their schedule not that of the training department.  Next, they want these “bursts” of training to be independent of each other – meaning they want the nugget of learning that they need without having to wade through dozens of learning experiences.  Finally as I walked around and met with these employees, I noticed on numerous occasions that they had hundreds of screen captures printed from e-learning courses.  I came to realize that even in this digital age, they want and use paper!

The expert in a “box”. Learning Bursts allow us to take the knowledge of a subject matter expert (SME) and put them in a digital box so that employees can learn and review from the best and brightest whenever they need it.

The Benefits from Learning Bursts

The advantages of using Learning Bursts within corporate training plans/curricula are:

• Mobile – learning can be taken anywhere and not tied to a computer or the Internet.  The 2 components of a Learning Burst are an audio segment (in mp3 format) and a workbook chapter (in a pdf or e-reader format).  Once they download the course materials to their personal device learners are untethered from the computer and can take training when and where the want to.  Some examples of how students take Learning Bursts students: (1) listen to audio each night while doing the dishes then read the workbook on the couch when the children have gone to bed, (2) in the morning while on the treadmill, or (3) listen to audio segment while walking between meetings on a large campus then reading the workbook chapter during the afternoon coffee break.
• Flexible and focused – Learning Bursts are designed as a single topic per burst.  I design the Learning Bursts so that they can be taken in any order. So if I have 10 bursts I design each one as a standalone “micro” course.  With the single topic the learning focuses in on that one thing to master thus allowing them to narrow their attention and concentrate on that topic.
• Convenient – when the learner wants it – suitable for the learner’s needs it is easy to use and it is easily accessible.
• No new technology is needed – Learning Bursts use mp3, pdf, and when using a simulation java files.  There are numerous free (open source) software for developing each of these formats.  In terms of delivery all mobile and computer devices can play/view these formats.  There is no need to invest in a sophisticated Learning Management Systems of delivery system if a company chooses not to.
• Device independent – the Learning Burst files run on any device and operating system making it easy to distribute and support.
• Cheaper than classroom training – travel, facilities costs, food, printing materials, etc. all eliminated.  Therefore in reduced training budget times the Learning Bursts are an attractive alternative.

What do you think about the concept?  Have you done anything similar?  As always, I would enjoye hearing what others have done in this area.