Studies support the theory that active involvement in the learning process facilitates faster and better results. It’s the reason why many corporate organizations are developing strategies on how to implement experiential learning in the workplace. With proper implementation and execution, it offers many benefits to the organization.
How to Implement Experiential Learning in the Workplace
If you want to use experiential learning as a tool to better equip your employees and enhance their skill set, there are numerous ways to do it. Explore some of these ideas to help you out.
1. Make Internship and Apprenticeship a Part of the Training
Implementing an internship and apprenticeship program is one of the best ways to promote experiential learning in the workplace. Apprenticeship and internship are two methods of learning on the job from a skilled professional. They provide opportunities for workers to learn without disrupting the normal flow of work. And yet, the process will gradually enable an employee (the student) to develop mastery of the motor or manual skills that they are interning or being an apprentice for.
2. Employ Gamification Strategies
Humans naturally learn when they are enjoying the process of learning. The use of gamification strategies in the corporate and workplace setting isn’t a novel concept. However, it can be an effective strategy to improve the benefits of experiential learning in the workplace.
Gamification strategies offer a rewarding experience that boost engagement and make students willing participants. The concept of a satisfied learner can flatten the learning curve and make it easier to adapt the essential skills and knowledge.
3. Case Studies
Analyzing case studies is another way for employees to learn and maximize the benefits of experiential learning in the workplace setting. When they go through multiple case studies, they learn the basic concepts from real-world situations. Since these are real-world scenarios, they can provide invaluable insights into the appropriate behavior and strategies to implement for a similar situation they could face in the future. At the same time, it also shows what not to do in a given scenario if you want to avoid any of the negative repercussions.
4. Role Playing and Real-World Simulations
Role-playing and real-world simulations are other effective strategies for integrating experiential learning at work. These situations must mimic real-world business problems and situations and you should designate roles for each employee. Using this approach can scale the training process for employees and increase their competencies.
It’s a fail-safe method for training employees and encouraging them to customize solutions for every situation without suffering real-world consequences. The process allows them to learn by doing.
5. Establish a Buddy Program
Buddy programs and peer learning activities offer an effective way for employees to learn by doing in the office. Through this program, learners can gain valuable insight from their peers by sharing the experiences of the latter and the knowledge gained in the process. It also creates a safe environment for the participants to discuss workplace scenarios and reflect on the best practices.
6. Problem-Solving Sessions
Problem-solving sessions are exercises that enable your employees to adopt quick thinking and the ability to come up with solutions on the fly. Effective and engaged employees are capable of making their own decisions and this is the goal of this method of how to implement experiential learning into the corporate world.
This activity might seem abstract but it is through this process that you can formulate innovative solutions. It’s important to conduct problem-solving sessions regularly and involve all levels of employees to ensure that everyone in the organization is fully equipped.
7. Job Shadowing
Job shadowing is the process of pairing up two employees of the same area but of two different competency levels. One is skilled and the other one needs development. The objective of the less experienced employee is to learn and observe while working alongside the more knowledgeable and experienced employee. It’s important to take notes of what the skilled employee is doing to achieve productivity and efficiency.
The two will engage in bi-weekly meetings to assess the information that was gathered in the process. The goal is to provide context to the information obtained and to instill that learning.
Making Experiential Learning a Part of Company Culture
The only way you can maximize experiential learning is to embed it as part of your company culture. Taking this approach ensures that you not only enjoy its benefit one-time but can improve the company culture by making this a part of everything that you do. Consider any of the ideas on how to implement experiential learning listed above so you can maximize the growth potential of your employees, regardless of their position and their job responsibilities.
