We are approaching a point in time where the rapid acceleration of technology related to education, course development, and learning has produced large amount of content and knowledge concepts. Today learners of all ages are able to reach the content simply providing that they have an access to the internet and a computer or a mobile device. Deciding when and where individuals learn is no longer time and place dependent. Thus, accelerating learning with the help of digitalization is becoming a critical success factor for organizations.
Nature of work is changing
The current change in the nature of work and digitalization are creating challenges for organizations as learning is becoming more measurable, developable, and goal-oriented. At the same time, work is becoming more spontaneous, virtual and hyperconnected. According to Gartner*, the more de-routinized nature of work has started to increase the amount of working virtually or physically in swarms. Gartner** states, that in the future many organizations are planning on investing more in IT and digital capabilities. Yet, a substantial part of organizations still lacks understanding of what digital business means and what kind of challenges it will bring to them.
How to prepare for the digital transformation of learning
By preparing for the digitalization of learning, organizations can raise their ability to transform faster and gain competitive advantage against their competitors. In our upcoming white paper we ponder the changing nature of work and organizational learning. The following key takeaways summarize how we think organizations should prepare themselves for the digital transformation of learning.
1. Launch digital workplace initiatives
Internal initiatives are in a key role when organizations prepare themselves for a smooth transition into a digital economy. In order to maximize the effectiveness of a digital workplace, it is critical to understand how the sources of motivation and engagement vary between different generations of workforce. By internally implementing digital workplace initiatives, it is easier for organizations to increase employee agility, engagement, and effectiveness in the transition.
2. Enhance organizational capability
As work is becoming more spontaneous and hyperconnected, organizations need to develop their organizational capabilities to respond to the new operating models introduced by the digitalization. It is critical to engage people in changing their mindset and behavior to suit the new ways of working, such as working virtually in swarms. Without a proper understanding of the digitalization and the changes it brings along, it is challenging for the workforce to absorb the transforming nature of work.
3. Ensure cooperation between CIOs and HR
Organization CIOs and HR need to work closely together in order to define the technology capabilities for digital work, digital learning, and digital workforce development designed to facilitate the change. Note, that it is not enough to aim at replicating the physical world processes as the working skills required in digital domain are different.
4. Measure & analyze learning
Today learning and problem solving often happen in social and informal scenarios. Whether formal or informal, it is crucial for companies to have tools to both measure and analyze all types of learning activities. Take into account, that the ability to measure learning will be closely tied to the actual ability to execute.
Now is the time for organizations to re-examine own learning management systems’ ability to meet the new challenges brought by the digitalization. We believe that the digital transformation of learning is the next great challenge facing all organizations. And it is happening now.
Dr. Charles Camarda, Astronaut, NASA
Janne Hietala, Chief Commercial Officer, Arcusys
Competitive advantage from digital transformation
We are glad to announce that our new white paper on topic Digital Transformation of learning – Why We Need Another “Apollo Effect” is now available. The paper will clarify the interconnected nature of learning and provide unique insights into the learning and problem solving at NASA. Learn more about turning the digitization of learning into your competitive advantage and register now to get your copy of the paper!