How to Drive Measurable Results with Your Mobile Learning Program

Implementing a new Learning program that utilizes mobile application can support business objectives by creating excellence in employee performance at every level of your organization. This happens through unprecedented access and ease of use. But concerns about technology, cost and user adoption can make it complicated to approach.

Want to know whether or not you’re ready to go mobile? Ask yourself these key questions:

Do my learners want it?

According to the research firm IDC, there will be roughly 31 billion connected mobile devices by 2020, which is more than four times the world's current population. Approach your strategy with a solid understanding of what it is that you’re trying to accomplish and who your audience is. This will help you design a more effective Learning program. Identify the needs of your learners then determine what type of Learning program will engage them best.

Will my learners actually like it?  

A program designed with your audience in mind will improve adoption and effectiveness. Design a program that addresses your learners’ pain points and fits their specific needs.

Does it fit our corporate culture and company policies? 

A recent benchmarking study shows that more than 40% of companies believe that their corporate culture as "Controlling". Make sure that your Learning program is aligned with your company’s culture and policies.

Do I have the infrastructure to support it?

Assess your company's infrastructure and plan accordingly. Only about 10% of companies are using a mobile learning strategy. Before you build a program, you need to know whether or not you have the devices, servers and network bandwidth to support it.

Will IT support it?

Know whether or not your existing IT infrastructure is compatible with your Learning program. Then make any necessary changes or adjustments.

Is mobile sufficient for all content?

Consider all mobile specifications, abilities and limitations. How will your content display on mobile screens? How will the content impact memory and battery life?

Can I control access?

Take steps to make sure that your data is secure and that user permissions are in place. You will want to make sure that learners can’t access information that they shouldn’t be able to see. You also want to safe guard your data so that people other than your learners won’t be able to access it.

Does my team have the skills to build it?

You don’t want to overreach or overpromise only to under-deliver. Avoid being left with a program that is too complicated to be implemented or too incomplete to be useful. Be ambitious, but be realistic.

Are there easy tools available for authoring?

Do your research. Know what authoring tools are available and know how to get support if necessary. Research shows that more than 50% of companies have revisted their learning strategies more than twice over the last 5 years. 

Do I need to create a new development process?

Figure out whether or not implementing your new Learning program will create the need for a new development process. Also keep in mind the need to integrate a Learning Management System (LMS). Plan accordingly and you will be less likely to miss something later.

Have I considered all the costs?

Mobile Learning can create cost reductions by eliminating travel costs for classroom training. It can also reduce infrastructure costs because most people already own mobile devices. Nonetheless, be sure to carefully run through all of the potential costs – from user data usage to infrastructure to content. Many companies (as many as 33%) are increasing their learning budget over the next year which should strongly benefit most of these businesses. 

Can I buy content for it?

Purchasing rather than creating content can be a good way to save time as long as you can find high-quality content that fits with the goals of your Learning program. Find out if you can buy relevant content for your Learning program and, if so, from where.

Do I have the time to test it?

You should budget time for testing all of the components of your program in order to gauge if and how well they work. This may not be the most glamorous step, but it is necessary.

Are there internal champions to partner with?

Having outspoken, successful peers openly supporting a Learning program can make other employees accept the program more readily. Use internal champions to encourage broad employee adoption.

Are some learners less willing to change their habits?

Some learners may be less inclined to embrace change, especially if they have done things a certain way for some time. It may be necessary to prepare contingency plans to encourage willingness and participation. A lot of companies have adopted social learning as a way to engage employees. Over 59% of businesses now use social learning strategies and 24% of those using social say that it is an effective strategy. 

To learn more about mobile learning and gain insights from those who have tackled this issue, watch our recorded webinar featuring lessons learned from enterprise learning leaders at Cricket and Comcast or visit https://www.cgsinc.com/en/enterprise-learning.

*All stats have come from an article in Training Mag