To truly engage learners and create a meaningful, lasting impact, we must transform our approach to compliance training. We do this by introducing the Apply/Learn model—an innovative approach that redefines the conventional compliance training paradigm and transforms the way we engage and educate.
The Shortcomings of the Traditional Compliance Training Model
Compliance training typically follows the Learn/Apply model. Learners start by working through tutorial content, laying a foundation of theoretical knowledge. Learners then apply this knowledge through unscored scenarios or knowledge checks. For modules that include an end assessment, the process becomes Learn/Apply/Apply, in which learners first absorb the tutorial content, then practice through unscored scenarios, and, finally, attempt a scored assessment drawn from a question bank.
While this method ensures learners receive comprehensive information before they are tested, it can be tedious and often fails to engage them fully or highlight the real-world importance of compliance.
Flipping the Script: Unlocking the Benefits of The Apply/Learn Model
The Apply/Learn model turns the traditional approach on its head. Instead of starting with tutorial content, learners immediately dive into practical, scenario-based learning. This method might feel counterintuitive, but it significantly enhances the learning experience.
3 Benefits of the Apply/Learn Model
The Apply/Learn model is akin to a Netflix trailer for learning: it grabs your attention and draws you in, making learning more engaging and effective for several reasons.
- Emotional Engagement: We learn best through storytelling and emotional engagement. Apply/Learn scenarios and knowledge checks pique interest by presenting real-world challenges right from the start. Stories with relatable characters and compelling narratives make abstract compliance concepts tangible and memorable.
- Safe Learning Environment: Since these scenarios and questions are unscored, learners are not penalized for incorrect answers. You can include options like “I don’t know” or “Maybe,” making questions more nuanced and thought-provoking. This approach encourages learner exploration and critical thinking without the fear of failure.
- Motivation to Learn: Getting an answer wrong or realizing a gap in knowledge triggers an emotional response akin to the tension in a Netflix trailer. This emotional engagement creates a strong desire to learn and fill knowledge gaps, making subsequent tutorial content more relevant and more accessible for learners to absorb.
Beyond Traditional Methods: Embracing Adaptive and Immersive Learning in Compliance Training
The Apply/Learn model paves the way for adaptive learning techniques, where storytelling and questions are still at the forefront, but the learners’ responses drive their path through the course. This makes learning a truly personalized experience.
Adaptive learning is a burgeoning trend in compliance training. It combats learner fatigue and reduces seat times by creating tailored learning paths based on a learner’s role, jurisdiction, choices, and responses. Techniques range from pre-tests that allow learners to test out of content they already know to fully adaptive courses that adjust in real time. This personalized approach not only makes training more relevant and efficient but also increases learners’ retention and application of the learned concepts.
The Apply/Learn technique can also extend beyond simple scenarios and knowledge checks to include various interactive and storytelling approaches, such as:
- Predictive Observations: This approach involves observing an event or actor and predicting the outcome of their choices. This encourages learners to think ahead and understand the consequences of different actions.
- Role-Playing: This approach involves acting as an advisor, guiding a character toward the right outcome. This technique helps learners practice decision-making skills and see the impact of their advice in a simulated environment.
- Guided Exploration: This approach involves steering an actor or interviewee to uncover key inputs, values, and actions. This allows learners to dive deeper into specific issues and understand the underlying principles of the topic at hand.
Video or animation can enhance these approaches further, creating a more immersive and engaging experience. Visual storytelling can also simplify complex concepts, making them more accessible and relatable.
Turn Your Compliance Training Upside Down
The Apply/Learn model offers a fresh, engaging approach to compliance training that captivates learners and makes the learning process more effective. By leading with practical application scenarios, learners are more likely to be motivated, engaged, and ultimately successful in their compliance training.
So, why wait? Embrace the Apply/Learn model and turn your compliance training upside down today!
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