The HR & OB Society
modern enough to follow-up with pre-decided email templates on your behalf. Gone are those
simple days.
Modern age learners need a well-defined Learning Path with a defined start point and end-
point. They need an objective definition of how going through that learning path would impact
their individual development, competence and skill. They want to know the exact impact that
it would have on their career trajectory and promotion. Line of sight between what they sow
today and what they will reap tomorrow is crucial for learners. And yet, how well-equipped
organizations are to meet these needs remains questionable. And, this challenge in itself is an
opportunity. New-age learning management systems have become rampant and are available
at your disposal. However, they are just enablers. An expert, who can understand
organizational learner's aspirations as well as recent technology and marry the both, are high
in demand. A career-path for Knowledge Systems Consultant in Learning and Development
is now shaping up.
While a system’s professional can help with a platform that best serves the need of the
workplace, it would not mean much unless there is quality content sitting on it. With Learning
management systems now supporting Learning
Record stores (xAPI / Tin Can) which are modern
tracking systems capturing variety of learning
interactions including real world activities and on
job performance. While there are strong
technical features available, the system is going
to be as strong as the content sitting on it.
As soon as the Training Needs Identification
process is completed, a dedicated Content
Designer comes into picture. This is a subject
matter expert of both a functional/behavioural
domain and also at imparting knowledge. The job
of a content designer includes creating content
on any given topic. When provided with a list of topics, they closely partner with business to
create relevant content to address a particular gap. They have years of experience to
understand the nuances of something as detailed as including a particular topic or a session
in a curriculum. A host of services are now at a content designer's disposal like Udemy,
Skillsoft, Linkedin Learning which acquired Lynda.com, Coursera, Udacity, etc. and online
magazines and resources like HBR, EBSCO, The Economist, The-Ken, etc. with most of them
open to the B2B model.
Learners expect the learning path to have multimedia multi-format content. A typical learning
path on Negotiations Skills would have a micro-learning module spanning couple of hours, a
TEDx talk, a presentation for recapitulation, a couple of external resource links, intermittent
quizzes, a reference book, a certificate for recognition followed by a continued intervention
through reporting manager, Human Resource Business Partner, L&D team as well as the
Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi
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