Learning by Doing: A Different Approach to Digital Learning

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly accelerated the digital transformation of businesses. This shift has fostered the development of new trends in the training sector, such as e-Learning. According to a study published by ISTF, over 31% of training sessions are now delivered online. Concrete, accessible, and focused on operational goals, Learning by Doing is one of the fundamental trends that enables companies across all sectors to embrace their digital transition. How can you seize the opportunities offered by Learning by Doing?

Learning by Doing: A New Active Pedagogy to Adopt

History of Learning by Doing

The concept of “learning by doing” was formally conceptualized as a pedagogical approach in the 20th century. John Dewey, an American philosopher and educator, significantly contributed to popularizing this approach. According to Dewey, education should be designed to engage students in practical and thoughtful activities. This idea became the cornerstone of progressive education and continues to influence modern teaching methods, including digital learning.

New Pedagogical Principles Serving the Learner

Learning by Doing focuses on the learner’s practical experience. This method emphasizes active participation, allowing learners to acquire skills and knowledge by engaging in practical activities. According to a study published by Harvard University, Learning by Doing can increase the effectiveness of training by +23%.

In practice, this pedagogical approach can be implemented by providing participants with interactive exercises, case studies, and practical projects. These activities allow for the rapid application of theoretical concepts learned, which promotes better knowledge assimilation. Learning by Doing offers an engaging and active learning experience, encouraging autonomy and enhancing the ability to solve real problems.

Advantages of Learning by Doing

Learning by Doing offers several benefits. Firstly, this approach promotes the development of soft skills—non-technical yet essential skills that have been particularly valued in recent years. By engaging in practical activities, learners have the opportunity to improve their problem-solving capabilities, as well as their creativity and communication—key transferable skills.

Moreover, Learning by Doing fits perfectly into the context of current digital transformations. By encouraging learners to use digital tools and technologies, this approach prepares them to adapt to an ever-changing environment. It also facilitates a smooth transition to a digital workplace.

Challenges of Learning by Doing

Implementing Learning by Doing can present certain logistical and organizational challenges. This approach requires the creation and provision of practical activities for learners. Therefore, appropriate infrastructure, specific materials, and technological tools may be necessary to ensure a quality immersive learning experience.

Additionally, organizing practical activities as part of Learning by Doing may require meticulous planning and good coordination. It is important to clearly define learning objectives, design relevant and appropriate activities, and provide adequate guidance to learners throughout the process. This ensures that the educational goals are met and that the learners can effectively apply what they learn in real-world scenarios.

How to Learn by Doing?

DAP (Digital Adoption Platform): An Essential Tool

A Digital Adoption Platform (DAP) is an essential tool for facilitating this active learning mode. This integrated software platform acts as an overlay to other applications, providing users with interactive and contextual support to guide them in using digital tools.

DAPs offer a variety of features to support users in learning by doing. This can include interactive step-by-step guides, contextual notifications, push messages, explanatory videos, practical exercises, quizzes, and many other interactive resources. These interactive contents are designed to help users understand and utilize the specific features of digital tools by providing relevant information at the right time.

The strength of DAPs lies in their ability to customize learning based on the needs of each user. Thanks to algorithms and data analysis, these platforms can offer recommendations and content tailored to the user’s skill level, preferences, and learning objectives.

DAPs also provide features for tracking and measuring user progress, allowing learners and educational managers to monitor progress made and identify areas where improvements are needed. These data can be used to adjust learning programs, provide additional support, and evaluate the effectiveness of the Learning by Doing approach.

The Role of Management in Integrating Learning by Doing

Management plays a key role in promoting, supporting, and successfully integrating the Learning by Doing approach. The initiative must be actively supported by creating a culture of active learning within the organization, encouraging experimentation, risk-taking, and learning. This involves fostering a relationship of trust and transparency with the teams.

Moreover, management has a crucial role in providing the necessary resources, from investments to setting up mechanisms for evaluating and recognizing the skills acquired through this approach. By ensuring that the necessary tools and support are available, management helps embed Learning by Doing deeply into the organizational fabric, maximizing the benefits of active, practical learning.

Deploying Learning by Doing in Your Company

Key Steps for Integrating This Active Learning Approach

Successfully integrating Learning by Doing into a company involves several key steps. First, it is essential to identify educational objectives and relevant application areas for this approach. This can be done by performing a training needs analysis and identifying specific skills to develop.

Next, it is important to either hire or train trainers and educational leaders in the Learning by Doing methodology. This will enable them to design and facilitate practical and interactive activities, guide learners, and provide adequate support throughout the process.

Finally, it is crucial to align the deployment of Learning by Doing with the strategic and operational objectives of the company to ensure the coherence of this integration and its support by management and top management.

Creating Customized Training to Maximize the Effectiveness of Learning by Doing

Creating customized training plays an essential role in maximizing the effectiveness of the Learning by Doing approach. By developing training programs tailored to the needs of learners and the company, it is possible to make the most of this pedagogical method.

Tailoring customized training starts with a thorough analysis of needs and required skills to identify existing gaps and specific learning objectives to be addressed. Based on this analysis, training can be designed to provide targeted practical experiences.