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CPR for Classroom Learning

August 06, 2010 | by Diane Copeland

Remember the last time you went to a classroom for a day of training? I don’t either.

According to the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) annual survey results, there has been a steady decline in classroom training since 2001—at an average yearly decrease of about 2.5%. If this continues, classroom use could drop to 50% within the next five years.¹

All of the social learning tools and other technologies now available have resulted in classroom learning fading away. This is partly a result of “new” being popular, but also because of the many great benefits of “new” to learning, including 24/7 collaboration and networking. Yet some types of education are still best suited for traditional classroom learning events. Here are a couple of examples we see at StoneArch Creative:

1. Customer training: Increasing face-to-face time with customers is invaluable to sales, and hands-on training is often critical to product success. And providing quality training sets you apart from at least some of your competitors.
2. Interpersonal skills training: Skills that involve people interacting with other people really need to be taught that way too. We are often creating training programs that teach sales representatives how to sell new products to customers. A classroom setting allows experts to model the sales call, then sales reps demonstrate, receive feedback and observe how others perform.

So is there a way to combine the traditional with the new? Is it possible to resuscitate, or breathe new life into, classroom learning? At StoneArch Creative, we believe there is. Last month, we developed some classroom training for one of our clients—an all-day sales training program. In addition, we came up with a wide variety of options for using new technologies to support activities before and after the one-day event.

Some of these options are described below. Use this list to get started thinking about what you can add to your classroom learning to give it “the breath of life.” These activities can be delivered using any of a number of channels, including Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, your corporate LMS and/or other portals.

Prior to the event:

• Send a creative and memorable invitation to participants (even if attendance is mandatory). Include information about links to further information or for questions.
• Provide training materials to participants. The classroom event is often just one part of a complete curriculum.
• Create a forum for online discussion of these materials.

After the event:

• Provide access to experts who can provide advanced content and/or answer questions.
• Facilitate online discussions and updates between facilitators and participants.
• Set up channels for peer-to-peer sharing of experiences and tips for success as participants practice applying their new skills.

^1. Galagan P.  Disappearing Act: The Vanishing Corporate Classroom. T + D. March 2010, pp. 29-31.