The world is in a constant state of change—someone moved into the apartment next door, gas prices rose again, the newest cell phone model will release next month—so it’s vital to keep up with and make the most of the evolving environment around you, especially when it comes to keeping your employees engaged and growing.
You’ve probably already read about the benefits of interactivity in eLearning or how immersive technology can transform communications. Let’s break it down even more. With video streaming at an all-time high and social media more popular than ever, how can you develop a training solution that pulls your employees in as part of the experience rather than just a passenger along for the ride?
Interactivity maintains focus
Any form of web-based training should have an interactive interface at its core. Being able to directly influence the learning environment—click here, explore there, navigate between modules—will keep an employee focused better than a course that transitions through content without any learner input.
This is, however, only the first (and most basic) step.
Stories capture the audience
Storytelling is one of life’s oldest and often under-appreciated art forms. Susan Weinschenk, on Psychology Today, describes her experience holding the attention of a classroom and why stories are so compelling in the first place.
Think about story elements that can make your training relevant, such as characters who represent your employees or customers, settings they commonly interact with, and a plot, conflict, and resolution that speak to everyday experiences.
Technology simulates real situations
Take your training to the next level by incorporating new forms of visual training technology, such as:
- Augmented reality (AR): Great for onboarding and helping employees become familiar with their environment and your organization’s processes at their own pace.
- Virtual reality (VR): Employees can practice on-the-job skills and overcome challenges in a safe and comfortable environment and in a way that’s more memorable and engaging than other options.
Success can be a guiding star
There’s no better guide than the people who came before you. Think about what’s important to your organization and research case studies showcasing the technologies or strategies you’re interested in. To start you off, here’s a study we put together about the power of immersive learning in a recent professional sales training solution.
Whether you’re looking to design a new solution for your organization or want to enhance the training you already have, an immersive experience is the future of employee engagement for every field of focus.