Creativity and innovation

smiling brunette man talking to african american woman near interracial colleagues in acting school.

Bringing L&D to centre stage: How improv elevated the learning experience 

Sian Harrington

Neil Mullarkey’s theatre improvisation techniques prepare leaders for the unpredictable nature of real-world business interactions – all while boosting the impact of the L&D function  For learning and development professionals, standing out in a crowded field of conventional training programmes can be a significant challenge. One seasoned L&D director in the professional services sector discovered a ground-breaking approach that not only enhanced the skills of her leaders but also elevated the status and impact of the L&D function itself.   “Improv training addresses a…

Listening is part of the planning process. a young businessman sitting in the office and wearing headphones while using his laptop for a virtual meeting.

An overview of the evolving role of artificial intelligence in L&D 

Ravinder Tulsiani

Personalised training programmes, predictive insights and real-time feedback – how to leverage AI for workplace learning, by Ravinder Tulsiani  Artificial intelligence is reshaping how companies approach L&D. As organisations strive to stay competitive and innovative, leveraging AI to enhance employee training programmes is becoming increasingly crucial. This article explores the ways AI is transforming L&D, offers insights into its benefits, and provides strategies for effectively integrating AI technologies into workplace training.  L&D professionals need to be trained not only in…

The Art of Graphic Design Therapy

The impactful learning experiences of both reality and unreality 

Steve Macaulay

Want to create standout training programmes? Mixing realistic and unrealistic experiences could be the answer, as Steve Macaulay and David Buchanan explain  Many L&D professionals already recognise the value of using realistic experiences to enhance training programmes. By bridging the gap between theory and practice, these experiences can significantly improve learning outcomes. This is almost second nature for many L&D professionals. However, there are times when introducing elements of unreality can encourage new thinking, spark creativity, and develop essential new skills.   Incorporating…

Illuminated lightbulb on a circuit board background, concept of innovation and technology, Generative AI. Generative AI

How is AI affecting employee learning and development? 

Jo Cook

Is AI the silver bullet for L&D? How can we take advantage and remain human? In this feature, Jo Cook looks at the evidence and shares her perspective The use of generative AI holds so much for so many people – the promise of productivity gains, the overwhelm of selecting the right technologies, challenges of skilling people and the worry of future repercussions of an independent intelligence. Artificial intelligence is having a big impact on learning and development already, and…

Colorful paint cans with paintbrush

Learning from life: What I learnt from living with disruption

Michelle Parry-Slater

Noise, mess, things left behind. Coping with decorating and how that applies to job changes – as explored by Michelle Parry-Slater Despite having lived in the house for four years, we had not ‘made it our own’. I often end up doing that ridiculous thing of not decorating until we decide to move, thus preparing the house to sell for someone else to enjoy the spoils of our labour. Am I alone in this? Do you put up with a…

Curious Hello I Am Questioning Interested Name Tag 3d Illustrati

The future belongs to the curious

Thomas Bergen

In a world of AI and constant change, it’s the curious that will outperform others. Thomas Bergen shares with us about developing meta-skills Traditional training methods that neatly separate hard and soft skills are often inadequate. They do not address the multifaceted challenges of contemporary learning and knowledge management in the workplace. Emphasising meta-skills empowers employees to become self-reliant problem-solvers, elevating the value of human contribution within the organisation. Blending human expertise with advanced AI technology is what is needed…

Puppies (c) Julie Drybrough

Learning from life: What I learnt from parenting puppies

Michelle Parry-Slater

Michelle Parry-Slater shares puppy cuteness overload and also looks at the importance of knowing your audience, and guest blogger Julie Drybrough adds her experience about letting go A little over two years ago we welcomed two puppies into our family, Georgie and Elsie. Chaos. Cuddles. Cute. A little under 18 years ago we welcomed six puppies into our lives as I bred my cocker spaniel, PIxie, to donate her litter to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People as they started their…

Concept of education and success

Bridging the gap with killer communications: a dive into why you should be ‘selling’ your learning offer

Kerry Jary

Kerry Jary looks at why you can build it, but they might not come and the importance of more than just creating great training In today’s dynamic business world, the phrase “knowledge is power” couldn’t be more relevant. As businesses strive to stay ahead of the curve, investing in employee learning has emerged as a critical strategy for success. But here’s the kicker: it’s not just about offering learning opportunities; it’s about selling them to your employees.   First off, let’s…

Immersive learning

Immersive learning: the future of training

Phillip Carmichael Jr

‘Learning by doing’ presents limitless possibilities for workforce training, writes Phillip Carmichael Jr In the ever-evolving landscape of professional development, traditional methods of learning are being redefined by the growth of immersive learning.   One of the key advantages of immersive learning is its ability to engage learners in a way that traditional methods often struggle to achieve  Immersive learning, which relies on virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies, has become a gamechanger that is transforming workforce training and…

Are you ready for a quiz?

Online course creation top tips: are you using quizzes properly?

Ginette Tessier

Ginette Tessier shows you how to make your quizzes count   Quizzing functionality is often highlighted as a key benefit of online course hosting solutions. The ability to offer a quiz at the end of every lesson is assumed to be a good way to ensure learning transfer has taken place.  A creator needs to first understand what role the quiz is playing Many new online course instructors remember quizzes from either an academic environment or from a corporate learning experience…