Opinion
Learning in the Future
When we think about learning in the future, we tend to gravitate towards the impact of technology on learning, almost by default. It’s true, technology can be both a catalyst and an enabler of change, and we will see more saturation of technology in our lives, and in our work, because it influences job function and it can change professional practice.
I have developed 10 learning “Futures” but the common thread put forward is that the future of learning (in an organisational/business context) will demand a focus on performance measured against business metrics rather than learning measured against effectiveness. The impact and the opportunities that technology provides are embedded within the 10 Futures.
By necessity, some aspects within each of the Futures overlap in some way and consequently you may wish work your way through them get the full picture as they progressively build, unfold and culminate with discussion about an expanded role for the learning function in the future, against the challenge and need for fresh leadership and performance accountabilities.
Within an environment where increased focus will be on performance, we will see the integration of:
Future 1: formal and informal learning
Future 2: performance support and work processes
Future 3: learning, work and community
Future 4: information architecture and learning design
Future 5: personalised technologies with work performance
Future 6: discretionary effort, innovation and technology
Future 7: harvested knowledge with new generation information
Future 8: people connections and just-for-me information connections
Future 9: organisational learning with suppliers, distributors and customers
Future 10: the traditional learning function with the business
