The Evolution of Learning

Emma Weber

Where is learning going?
I saw recently that a new search engine is being launched which can answer questions more intelligently than Google.
It will eventually start to impact the way we get information from the web. Very interesting I thought. To see the full article from the Sydney Morning Herald go to http://tiny.cc/huosE
It made me start thinking about the evolution of learning.
Everywhere I look most learning is focused on content – what to do, how to do, when to do, top tips, recommendations, best practice, how top performers do it etc. But all this is just information. As the world progresses all of this is being increasingly available at the touch of a button or from the recommendation of a friend via a social network. It’s not the real evolution of learning.
For me the real evolution of learning is that people will get it’s not about the content or knowledge. Content and knowledge is so readily available now.
The real evolution of learning will be when people really understand it’s about the transfer of learning into action.
What you personally know is now irrelevant. What you do with what you know makes the difference.
I’d love your thoughts.

Emma Weber is a recognized authority on the transfer of learning. As CEO of Lever–Transfer of Learning, she has helped companies such as Telstra, Oracle and BMW deliver and measure tangible business results from learning. She has also been a guest speaker at learning effectiveness conferences worldwide and authored the hugely successful book “Turning Learning into Action“. Much more detail around the issues and solutions examined in this article are available in the book – please feel free to download a free chapter. Emma and her team also developed Coach M, a coaching chatbot that delivers fully scaleable learning transfer. She is also a co-author of the books Making Change Work, and Designing Virtual Learning for Application and Impact. Her work and approach is also featured in Data and Analytics for Instructional Designers by Megan Torrance (Author), Foundations of People Metrics and Analytics – by Renjini Joseph and an ATD 10-minute case study series – Chatbot Coaching for Learning Transfer.