DEBATE: What is the best way to engage learners and motivate them to apply new behaviors in the workplace?

by Todd Beck I’d like to separate the two points—“engage learners” and “motivate them to apply new behaviors in the workplace.” The motivation part is no secret--it’s all about what’s in it for me. So when a behavior leads to more money, more recognition, less work, and fewer complaints, then a learner will absolutely apply that behavior. Motivation is not a training issue. It’s a management issue that determines the success of training. And it applies equally to classroom or elearning. I think, though, that learners infer a lot from the organization’s willingness to invest in training, and if elearning is seen as the cheap, low-priority method, then learners infer that the skills taught are low-priority. There’s something about my boss scheduling me to leave work and spend time in class that says, hey, this behavior must be important either to my boss or to somebody even higher up. And that means it’s important to me. As for “how to keep learners from being bored,” I think either classroom or elearning can do that equally well, if properly designed. If you're bored, you should check out this video where Jack and I engage each other in debate on AchieveGlobal Island in Second Life.