Learning by doing: a new way to learn digital skills

Introduction

The Covid-19 pandemic has profoundly accelerated the digital transformation of businesses. The situation has fostered the development of new trends in the training sector, such as e-Learning. More than 31% of training courses are now reportedly delivered online, according to a study published by ISTF. Practical, accessible, and geared towards operational objectives, Learning By Doing ("learning by doing") is one of these fundamental trends that enable businesses across all sectors to embrace their digital transition. How can businesses seize the opportunities offered by Learning by Doing?

Learning by doing: a new active learning approach to adopt

History of learning by doing

It was in the 20th century that "learning by doing" was formally conceptualized as a pedagogy. John Dewey, an American philosopher and educator, largely contributed to popularizing this approach. According to Dewey, education should be designed to engage students in practical and reflective activities. This idea was the cornerstone of progressive pedagogy and continues to influence modern teaching methods, including in the field of digital learning.

New pedagogical principles serving the learner. 

Learning by doing therefore focuses on the learner's practical experience. This method emphasizes active participation, enabling learners to acquire skills and knowledge by engaging in practical activities. According to a study published by Harvard University, Learning by doing can increase training effectiveness by +23%. Specifically, this pedagogical approach can be implemented by providing participants with interactive exercises, case studies, and practical projects. These activities allow for the rapid application of learned theoretical concepts, which promotes better knowledge assimilation. Learning by doing offers an engaging and active learning experience that encourages autonomy and enhances the ability to solve real-world problems.

The benefits of Learning by doing

Learning by doing offers several benefits. Firstly, this approach promotes the development of soft skills—non-technical yet essential competencies that have been particularly valued in recent years. By engaging in practical activities, learners have the opportunity to improve their problem-solving abilities, as well as their creativity and communication skills. All of these are essential transversal skills. Furthermore, Learning by doing integrates perfectly into the context of current digital transformations. By encouraging learners to use digital tools and technologies, this approach prepares them to adapt to a constantly evolving environment. It also facilitates a smooth transition to a digital work environment (or "Digital Workplace").

The challenges of Learning by doing. 

Implementing Learning by doing can present certain logistical and organizational challenges. This approach notably requires creating and offering practical activities to learners. Thus, appropriate infrastructure, specific equipment, and technological tools may be necessary to ensure a high-quality immersive learning experience. Furthermore, organizing practical activities within the framework of Learning by doing may require meticulous planning and good coordination. It is therefore important to clearly define learning objectives, design relevant and adapted activities, and provide adequate supervision to learners throughout the process.

How to learn by doing?

DAP (Digital Adoption Platform): The Essential Tool 

A Digital Adoption Platform (DAP) is an essential tool for facilitating this active learning approach. This integrated software platform acts as an overlay to other applications, offering users interactive and contextual support to guide them in using digital tools. DAPs offer a variety of features to support users in learning by doing. This can include interactive step-by-step guides, contextual notifications, push messages, explanatory videos, practical exercises, quizzes, and many other interactive resources. This interactive content is designed to help users understand and utilize the specific functionalities of these digital tools, by providing them with relevant information at the opportune moment. The strength of DAPs lies in their ability to personalize learning according to each user's needs. Thanks to algorithms and data analysis, these platforms can offer recommendations and content tailored to skill level, preferences, and learning objectives. DAPs also provide features for tracking and measuring user progress, allowing learners and learning managers to monitor achievements and identify areas where improvements are needed. This data can be used to adjust learning programs, offer additional support, and evaluate the effectiveness of the Learning by Doing approach.

The Role of Management in Integrating Learning by Doing

Management plays a key role in promoting, supporting, and successfully integrating the Learning by Doing approach. The initiative must be actively supported by creating a culture of active learning within the organization, encouraging experimentation, risk-taking, and continuous learning. This involves fostering a relationship of trust and transparency with teams. Furthermore, management has a crucial role in providing the necessary resources, from investments to the implementation of mechanisms for evaluating and recognizing skills acquired through this approach.

Implementing Learning by Doing in Your Company

The Different Steps for Integrating This Active Learning Methodology

Successful integration of Learning by Doing within a company involves several key steps. First, it is essential to identify the learning objectives and relevant application areas for this approach. This can be done by conducting a training needs analysis and identifying the specific skills to be developed. Next, it is important to engage or train trainers and learning managers in the Learning by Doing methodology. This will enable them to design and facilitate practical and interactive activities, guide learners, and provide adequate support throughout the process. Finally, it is crucial to align the implementation of Learning by Doing with the company's strategic and operational objectives to ensure the consistency of this integration and its support by management and top management.

Creating Tailored Training to Maximize the Effectiveness of Learning by Doing

Creating tailored training plays an essential role in maximizing the effectiveness of the Learning by Doing approach. By developing training programs specific to the needs of learners and the company, it is possible to make the most of this learning method. The adaptation of tailored training begins with a thorough analysis of needs and required skills to identify existing gaps and specific learning objectives to be addressed. Based on this analysis, training can be designed to provide targeted practical experiences.

‍

💡 The K-NOW platform provides personalized support to teams for optimal adoption of HR AI systems, accelerating their skill development while optimizing their engagement and productivity.