Experiential learning takes a “learn by doing” approach and can be extremely beneficial in helping learners get a better understanding of course material, apply it to real-life situations, and retain information long-term.
Experiential learning often takes place in person. But with experiential learning management software, you can replicate this same hands-on learning experience – all without the cost and time commitment required of in-person sessions. Not only that but experiential learning software has many added benefits over in-person experiential learning.
This is especially valuable to organizations with remote and global employees. And it’s even a great option for traditional ones, where getting employees together at the same time and in the same space is challenging and can hinder business operations.
While LMS experience software can be a great addition to any organization, to be effective it needs certain features. With these features, you can ensure that your learners will get a well-rounded, impactful learning experience. Here are the must-haves you need in experiential learning management software.
First, and foremost, experiential learning management software must have video-conferencing tools. Video conferencing allows learners to see live demonstrations and participate in them, providing the most traditional sense of experiential learning. Learners are able to watch presentations, ask questions, receive feedback, and even act out scenarios in real time.
Some experiential learning management software may include breakout rooms, which allow instructors to create simulations and role-playing activities in smaller group settings for even greater skills mastery. Breakout rooms provide a space for participants to interact with each other as they would in a real setting and mimic real-world scenarios.
Instructors can also leverage whiteboards during video conferencing to increase comprehension. This may not be a feature of every experiential learning software, but it’s a valuable one to have. Instructors can use whiteboards to clearly write or draw out explanations that help with understanding.
Another added benefit of video conferencing tools is that it allows instructors to bring in speakers and experts from all over the world to share their insights and experiences. This is not always something that’s possible with in-person experiential training due to schedules and budgets.
Next, experiential learning management software must have a content library or repository. A content repository stores pre-recorded videos that learners can access on demand. While it may seem like experiential learning only happens through live instruction, pre-recorded videos and other accessible content are equally important.
And, in some cases, they may be even more beneficial than live demonstrations. With pre-recorded videos, learners can rewind content as many times as they need, increasing competency. This is especially helpful in catering to all learning styles, where some learners may need more time to study material.
On-demand resources also allow learners to study materials according to a time that best suits them. With a content library, they don’t need structured times to master skills. Instead, they can do it according to their schedule, when they are less likely to have distractions and rush through material.
A content library is a wonderful resource and benefit of experiential learning management software that is not possible with only in-person experiential learning. Not only does it save time and money by not requiring an instructor to lead sessions but it also makes skills development easier by giving learners constant access to the materials they need.
Since experiential learning thrives on active engagement, a user-friendly interface is a must in an LMS experiential system. Though seemingly a small factor in the overall experience of a learner, an intuitive design sets the foundation for creating a positive and efficient learning environment.
An intuitive design reduces barriers to engagement, enhances the overall learning experience, and supports the goals of experiential learning by allowing learners and educators to focus on the substance of the learning activities rather than struggling with technology.
In essence, a user-centered design makes it easier for both instructors and learners to interact with the system, reducing frustration and encouraging participation in the learning process. A user-friendly interface streamlines tasks for uploading assignments, accessing resources, communicating with instructors and peers, and other activities.
A user-friendly design also often includes features that enhance accessibility for all users, including those with disabilities. Ensuring that the LMS is accessible to a diverse range of learners is crucial for promoting inclusivity in experiential learning environments.
While experiential learning primarily occurs through experience, self-paced learning modules are a must in any experiential learning management software. Self-paced learning allows for reinforcement and better testing of concepts learned through experiential means.
Self-paced learning modules are courses that learners take by themselves. They can include “test” elements such as quizzes, fill-in-the-blank questions, find-the-words scenarios, and more. When paired with experiential learning, they can greatly enhance skills mastery and give instructors a good sense of how well their learners understand concepts.
Additionally, self-paced learning modules are great for creating a space for self-reflection, which is a crucial part of experiential learning. Self-paced learning modules enable learners to go at their own pace, enabling the space and time needed for reflection. In turn, this fosters a deeper understanding and connection between their experiences.
One of the greatest benefits of experiential learning management software is that it allows for both live learning and self-paced learning modules, helping reinforce concepts and build greater comprehension.
Since experiential learning often involves collaboration and interactions, social connectivity and community tools are a must in experiential learning management software. Social connectivity tools can facilitate communication among learners, mentors, instructors, and peers, fostering collaboration and the exchange of ideas in real time.
Similarly, community tools can help learners connect with one another outside of structured learning times. Things like community and discussion boards allow learners to keep conversations going and get answers after formal training sessions are done. Other learners can then access this information months and even years later, creating an avenue for continuous learning.
This is an area where LMS experiential platforms shine. They create a supportive learning environment that goes far beyond the immediate classroom experience. It provides a centralized space for ongoing connection and a valuable archive of information that helps learners to continually refine their skills.
Social tools not only connect learners within the platform but also an organization at large, fostering a sense of community where learners feel supported and engaged — something that is limited in in-person environments.
Mobile learning is increasingly growing in popularity with 89% of employees saying they want training available anywhere and anytime they need to do their jobs. In today’s learning environment, mobile accessibility is a must.
Mobile learning makes experiential learning resources and activities accessible from anywhere and at any time. Learners can engage in experiential activities while on the go, fitting them into their busy schedules and making learning more flexible.
Experiential learning often occurs in real-world contexts. Mobile learning allows participants to seamlessly integrate learning activities with their real-life experiences, making the learning process more authentic and practical.
It also allows them to have access to materials that they can go back and review in real time instead of having to rely on memory from one-off sessions. And it provides instant access to new information and resources from managers and other instructors that they may need while in the field.
The final, but certainly not least important, must-have in an LMS experiential system is personalized learning paths that are engaging. As with any type of educational content, the more relevant and interesting it is, the more likely learners are to engage with the material and retain information.
Personalized learning paths allow instructors to deliver content efficiently and effectively. Through tailored training, instructors can target a learner’s weak knowledge and skills areas, bolstering them where needed. And they can skip over or spend less time on strong ones.
Instructors can leverage things like checklists to include a mix of live demonstrations, archived resources, check-ins with managers, and so forth. This creates a unique learning experience that’s highly relevant to each learner. When information is relevant to a learner, it’s likely to increase engagement and long-term memory retention.
Instructors can also include engaging features such as certificates, awards, leaderboards, and challenges. These items can go a long way in making learning engaging and fun and less of a chore for both admins and users alike.
Tovuti is a best-rated user experience LMS that reduces the need for third-party platforms – and your tech stack – by consolidating features into one easy-to-use platform. By leveraging Tovuti LMS, you get an experience that’s easy on you and fun for your learners.
With Tovuti, administrators can easily create engaging courses, automate their training program, track their efforts to make effective business decisions, provide tailored learning experiences, and more.
And with the most robust gamified and interactive features on the market, including over 40 plug-and-play gamified features, leaderboards, and virtual classrooms, learners are sure to retain information and have fun doing it!