1. Introduction
Contextual learning is a strategy involving presenting information in the right context and in a way that suits the learner to improve on the learning process. It enables the learner to draw from the context of the information he is receiving. For example, offering an Excel tutorial when the person is working on Excel.
This concept is not new, but we want to bring it up to date. Above all, we wanted to give it a digital dimension.
In our article on Learning in the Flow of Work we looked at digital trends and how these trends will bring about changes in traditional SaaS platforms.
We largely spoke of the increase in the number of SaaS platforms available to employees as well as the need for these platforms to seriously tackle integration with other tools not to see their usage significantly decrease.
2. Contextual learning as the integration of digital learning in a digital environment
This concept is now well known. It is called “Learning in the Flow of Work”. It is all about providing the learning content in our productivity applications (Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Apps, CRM, Microsoft Office, social networks…) and in the appropriate context.
It is undeniable that this digital integration of SaaS tools is one major challenge of this new decade.
This is also true for digital learning platforms. They typically have problems generating usage and suffer from competition from platforms considered “essential” by employees.
However, contextual learning goes beyond just Learning in the Flow of Work.
It involves not only digital but also physical integration of learning content using the digital productivity tools used in everyday life.
3. Contextual learning as the integration of digital learning in a physical environment
Here are a few examples and figures that show that this is already starting and affecting our daily lives.
With the evolution of IOT technologies, it is possible to provide learning physically and in the right context. Indeed, the worldwide use of smartphones has recently surpassed 75%.
Some companies offer geolocation beacons for less than 10 euros. Both technologies are have become widely available.
From the mass increase in usage of apps like Yuka, we are using more and more barcodes and QR Codes to get information at the expense of search engines. A Yuka user could use Google to find the same information. It’s just easier to use Yuka.
Finally, the recent success of Pokémon Go also proves that virtual or increased reality has extensively been in use. Notably, it has forced smartphone manufacturer to integrate gyroscopes into even their cheapest products.
Today, it is therefore possible to contextualize training in the physical world. At anytime and anywhere, be it in offices, factories, stores, in your schools, you can have simplified access to learning.
Examples
Wouldn’t it be great if we could accelerate and improve onboarding of new employees by giving them the opportunity to visit their workplace (stores, offices, factories) through virtual reality?
What if we could meet our colleagues and quickly understand their role in the company while walking around the premises and receiving contextualized information from beacons?
What if we could improve safety in the factories by reminding them of safety instructions in real time?
What if we could finally get rid of 200-page user manuals and get the information we need simply by scanning a QR Code?
What if we could find out everything about a product by scanning its barcode or even just by taking a picture?
What if we could send notifications about the latest training content available, be it compliance or non-compliance, company news, or content recommendations?
The applications are endless.
As you will have understood, contextual learning is all about simplifying the access to content as well as providing it in the right way. The content should go to the user and not the other way around. That is to say, when they need it, everywhere, all the time.
4. Mobile Learning as an ideal access point?
Our solution is mobile-first and desktop-second, for this reason.
What better medium than mobile to receive notifications, scan QR Codes or barcodes, get detected by tags or have access to increased or virtual reality?
In a context where most of the content will be provided in our work applications, where training content tends to reduce in duration and increase in frequency, in a context where learning is becoming more and more fun, where there are more and more sources of content and where many employees do not have access to a computer, isn’t the mobile the ideal access point?
As you will have understood, contextual learning is all about simplifying the access to content as well as providing it in the right way. The content should go to the user and not the other way around. That is to say, when they need it, everywhere, all the time.
