As I reflect on the rapid changes in today’s workplace, I can’t help but think about how these shifts are transforming the way we learn. Each day, new technologies are introduced, reshaping our work, our interactions, and, crucially, how we develop our skills. This moment in time is both exciting and daunting for those of us in the learning and development field, as we strive to keep up with—and stay ahead of—the curve.
Over the years, I’ve had countless conversations with business leaders, educators, and technologists about the future of learning. The question that consistently arises is: How can we ensure that learning remains relevant and impactful in an ever-changing world?
This question is not just a professional one for me; it’s personal. I’ve dedicated my career to the pursuit of education and learning, and I feel a deep sense of responsibility to ensure that our profession continues to meet the needs of today’s workforce. To stay relevant, we must be willing to evolve, adapt, and innovate. This is why I’m compelled to share my thoughts on a concept that I believe will play a crucial role in the future of our industry: learning in the flow of work.
Learning in the Flow of Work: A Personal Perspective
Learning was often something separate from work. Employees would step away from their day-to-day tasks to attend workshops, complete training sessions, or take online courses. While this traditional approach has its merits, I’ve always felt that something was missing. Learning shouldn’t be an isolated activity—it should be a continuous, integrated part of our daily lives.
As I’ve watched workplace dynamics evolve and new technologies emerge, the concept of learning in the flow of work has increasingly resonated with me. It’s about embedding learning opportunities directly into our daily tasks, making them as natural and essential as the work itself. This isn’t just a change in thinking; it’s a transformation in how we approach learning and development.
What Does Learning in the Flow of Work Mean?
Learning in the flow of work is about embedding learning opportunities within the natural course of an employee’s day-to-day activities. Instead of stepping away from their tasks to engage in formal training sessions, employees access learning resources, receive feedback, and acquire new skills while they work. This approach ensures that learning is immediately applicable, relevant, and contextually tied to the work at hand. It’s about making learning a seamless, integrated part of the workday, rather than an additional task to be managed.
As Josh Bersin, a leading industry analyst, notes, “Learning in the flow of work is about embedding learning right into the way we work every day. It’s not about taking time away from work; it’s about learning while you’re doing your job.” This perspective highlights the importance of making learning a seamless and integral part of the work process rather than a separate, disruptive event.
Why This Matters
For me, the idea of learning in the flow of work isn’t just a trendy buzzword—it’s a necessity. In today’s fast-paced environment, where the demands on employees are greater than ever, we need to find ways to make learning more accessible, relevant, and impactful. It’s about meeting people where they are, in the moments that matter most.
But this shift isn’t just about convenience. It’s about ensuring that learning is deeply connected to the work itself, so that the skills and knowledge we acquire are immediately applicable. This is critical if we want to keep up with the rapid pace of change in our industries.
Key Considerations for Learning Technology
The rise of learning in the flow of work necessitates a fundamental rethinking of how learning technologies are designed and implemented. Here are some critical considerations:
1. Seamless Integration with Work Tools
Our learning technologies must evolve to blend effortlessly into the tools employees are already using daily. This means integrating learning platforms with project management software, communication tools, and collaboration platforms. The goal is to make learning resources accessible right within the flow of work, without interrupting productivity.
As we look ahead, the challenge for learning technology providers will be to ensure this integration is not only seamless but also intuitive, creating an environment where learning is a natural extension of work.
According to the Harvard Business Review, “Organizations that embed learning into work processes can increase employee engagement and efficiency, as learning becomes a natural part of the job rather than an additional task.”
2. Microlearning and Just-in-Time Learning
In a world where time is the most precious resource, employees need quick, actionable insights they can apply immediately. Microlearning—delivering content in bite-sized, easily digestible pieces—becomes crucial in this context.
Learning technologies need to support this shift by providing just-in-time learning opportunities. This is about delivering the right information at the right moment, enabling employees to apply new knowledge instantly and effectively.
According to Deloitte’s Global Human Capital Trends, “Microlearning is emerging as a preferred approach in corporate training, especially when learning in the flow of work, as it delivers relevant content in a way that is easy to access and apply immediately.”
3. Personalization and AI-Driven Learning
One size no longer fits all, especially when it comes to learning. The increasing sophistication of AI allows us to deliver highly personalized learning experiences tailored to each individual’s needs. AI can analyze an employee’s work patterns, learning preferences, and performance data to recommend the most relevant content.
At Kydon, we’re excited about the possibilities that AI brings to the table. The ability to deliver personalized learning paths that adapt to the learner’s unique context is a game-changer. It’s not just about learning more—it’s about learning smarter.
As noted by McKinsey & Company, “AI-driven personalization in learning technologies allows for the customization of learning pathways, ensuring that employees receive the content most relevant to their current roles and future career aspirations.”
4. Continuous Feedback and Real-Time Analytics
In the flow of work, learning is an ongoing process rather than a one-time event. Learning technologies must provide continuous feedback and real-time analytics to help employees track their progress and identify areas for improvement. This data-driven approach not only supports individual development but also helps organizations understand how learning initiatives are impacting overall performance.
The World Economic Forum emphasizes that “Continuous learning and real-time feedback are critical components of modern workplace learning, enabling employees to adapt and improve continuously as they work.”
Personal Reflections on the Impact on Learning Technology
As I reflect on how learning in the flow of work is changing the landscape of our industry, I’m reminded of the early days of Kydon. Back then, we were focused on building tools that delivered content efficiently and effectively. But as the needs of our clients have evolved, so too has our approach.
Today, I’m more convinced than ever that learning technologies must do more than just deliver content. They must integrate seamlessly into the tools we already use, offer personalized and just-in-time learning experiences, and provide continuous feedback that helps us grow. This is the direction I believe we need to move in, and it’s one that I’m deeply committed to as we continue to innovate at Kydon.
How This Shift Impacts the Learning Technology Industry
The move towards learning in the flow of work is reshaping the entire learning technology landscape. Traditional Learning Management Systems (LMS), which were designed primarily to deliver structured courses and track completions, must evolve to meet these new demands.
We’re already seeing the emergence of Learning Experience Platforms (LXP) that prioritize personalized, learner-driven experiences. These platforms are becoming integral to how we deliver learning in the flow of work, enabling a more flexible, adaptive approach to workplace learning.
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are also undergoing a transformation. To remain relevant, MOOCs must move beyond structured, long-form content to offer more modular, just-in-time learning experiences that can be integrated into the workday.
In a study published by the Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, researchers concluded that “For MOOCs to remain relevant in the corporate learning space, they must evolve to support modular, just-in-time learning that aligns with the principles of learning in the flow of work.”
The growing demand for AI and advanced analytics in learning technologies is another key trend. These tools will be crucial in delivering the personalized, adaptive, and real-time learning experiences that today’s employees expect.
The MIT Sloan Management Review notes, “AI and advanced analytics are key enablers of learning in the flow of work, providing the insights and automation necessary to deliver truly personalized learning experiences at scale.”
A Call to Action for Our Profession
As I write this, I’m aware that we are all part of this journey together. The future of learning and development isn’t something that one person or company can shape alone. It’s a collective effort, and I believe that by embracing the concept of learning in the flow of work, we can create a more relevant, responsive, and impactful future for our profession.
At Kydon, we’re particularly excited about the role that AI can play in this transformation. That’s why we’ve been hard at work developing ZilLearn AI, a groundbreaking solution designed specifically to support learning in the flow of work. This isn’t just another tool—it’s a complete reimagining of how learning can be seamlessly integrated into daily tasks, personalized for every individual, and continually adapted to meet the ever-changing demands of the modern workplace.
While I can’t reveal everything just yet, I can say this: ZilLearn AI is poised to change the way we think about learning and development. It’s about making learning as natural and essential as the work itself, and I can’t wait to share more with you soon.
So, I invite you to join me in this exploration. Let’s challenge ourselves to think differently about how we design and deliver learning. Let’s push the boundaries of what’s possible, and let’s do it with the knowledge that we are making a difference—not just in our organizations, but in the lives of the people we serve.
Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts. I look forward to continuing this conversation as we navigate the exciting road ahead.
