Creating custom, targeted, engaging compliance training does not necessarily mean starting with a blank slate. In fact, you have ample opportunity to customize off-the-shelf learning solutions to meet the needs of your learners, in direct alignment with your organization’s culture.
Perhaps you have an impending need to implement compliance training without the time or expertise to create new content, or without the funding to develop quality interactive learning solutions. As you consider your options, take into account these benefits of using off-the-shelf training modules:
In addition to considering the aforementioned benefits, keep the following approaches in mind as you integrate off-the-shelf compliance modules into your learning ecosystem.
Off-the-shelf learning modules are characteristically generic on purpose. They are designed to enable customization and contextualization so that we can design and deliver learning experiences in alignment with the goals and culture of our organizations – as well as the needs of our learners. Contextualizing generic compliance content means wrapping perspective around every module, including:
Stories have impact, and taking a narrative approach to compliance training can help you situate off-the-shelf compliance training within the framework of your organization. Part of the contextualization process, establishing a meaningful narrative includes:
Another common feature of off-the-shelf training is a focus on content delivery. Some interaction may be built into the modules you acquire, but learning will stick (and behavior will change) when learners become engaged in conversation and interaction. Facilitating conversation and interaction means opening up channels for learners to connect with learning content and each other, including:
Off-the-shelf components can easily be included in the design of a blended learning ecosystem. It takes less time to contextualize content, establish a meaningful narrative, and provide opportunities for conversation and interaction than it takes to design, develop, and deliver a full learning solution.
Purchasing off-the-shelf compliance modules is the first step. Following that, we need to think about what we want learners to do (activities), how we want them to connect, communicate, and collaborate (interactions), and when, where, and how learning has taken place (assessments).
A blended compliance learning ecosystem built around off-the-shelf modules can include online and offline components. Creating situated exercises from module scenarios for learners to experience in the office, adding opportunities for learners to interact in-person, and enabling access to industry expertise are key components of a blend. Other blended approaches include:
These approaches enhance the benefits of using off-the-shelf compliance training. Done well, your learners may not even be aware that you have purchased the core content of a blended learning experience.
Keep an eye on off-the-shelf offerings available, and consider how they might fit into your compliance training ecosystem. Remember, you have the unique capacity to contextualize learning content, facilitate conversation and interaction, and use narrative to remind learners of their role in creating a culture of compliance at your organization.