Moving the direction of learning

Workplace learning was typically administered using a top-down information structure. This means that key information came from the "top" — managers, representatives, leaders, etc. — and was disseminated to the staff under them. This learning method relied on the belief that information should have gatekeepers around it. — or more open and accessible knowledge-sharing encourages employees and learners themselves to share information not only with their peers, but also with colleagues in higher positions. By identifying the resident "experts" among your workforce and giving them a platform to share their expertise, your organization can achieve a culture of knowledge-sharing.

"An organization's ability to learn, and translate that learning into action rapidly, is the ultimate competitive advantage." — Jack Welch, CEO, General Electric

1. Democratized learning benefits: For learners

Learners receive some of the largest benefits when organizations begin rolling out a democratized style of learning and working. In a democratized learning setting, employees are encouraged to share their expertise. They receive more recognition for their unique talents and skills, boosting recognition and resulting in higher employee retention.

Additionally, democratized learning encourages employees to train and learn in a way that works best for them. This structure improves the success of employee training programs, increasing employee engagement by 18% and requiring up to 60% less of employees' crucial work time.

One of the biggest boosts of open knowledge-sharing structures is that learners have more space to create, access and learn information in a way that fits them best. This includes:

• Improved accessibility assistance for trainings to fit unique learning styles
• Ample device capabilities to access training on-the-go
• 24/7 content availability to learn on their own time

In this way, learning is wherever the learner is, ensuring that employees are always kept up to date with training.

2. Democratized learning benefits: For instructors and managers

Democratizing learning also benefits the administrators of the learning content. Most notably, by adopting more bottom-up and horizontal communication, learners are encouraged to create content themselves. This allows managers to spend more time on learning management rather than content creation.

"Forward-looking organizations offer a glimpse into a future in which content creation capabilities are available to all." — Ginna Hall, Senior Manager of Content Marketing, Allego

Additionally, content engagement and productivity are boosted since learners are creating content that engages them. By communicating more with learners to see what is actually needed most and received best, managers have more time to focus on building a thriving remote learning environment.

3. Democratized learning benefits: For organizations

It's no surprise that open knowledge-sharing ultimately benefits the entire organization, as both learners and managers are empowered with new ways of communicating and collaborating. For instance, when given easy access to share content and expertise, employee and learner collaboration is enhanced, lending itself to deeper peer-trust, cooperation and innovation.

And with a democratized, "all hands on deck" learning structure, the organization begins to problem-solve and strategize among themselves. This improves creativity and builds resilience, two key ingredients for lasting success in an ever-changing work environment. The organization is not only better informed, but better prepared to face whatever the future has in store.

Develop a thriving and inclusive culture of learning

The first step to rolling out a new open knowledge-sharing structure is having the right technology to support your efforts. Whether you're an L and D professional building, an employee learning structure or an instructor leading a corporate training, employing a learning management system to help create, administer, measure your educational content is ground zero for building an efficient and democratized learning culture.

Utilizing an integrated learning platform gives organizations the ability to easily shift from outdated top-down learning, to inclusive democratized learning through message boards, interactive meetings, custom employee certificates and engaging polls. By democratizing learning in your organization, you equip your employees with agile training and preparation, allowing you to build a resilient, informed workforce fit for the future.

Ready to learn more? Read how the Microsoft 365 integrated learning platform, LMS365, can help you transform your online learning into a thriving knowledge-sharing environment.