Podcasts and other audio learning formats offer an engaging, convenient way for modern professionals to continue building their capabilities outside of formal training environments. As learning and development leaders, we should leverage these tools more to encourage ongoing, self-directed growth.
The Key Benefits of Audio Learning
Audio content delivers several advantages that make it ideal for continuous skills development:
• Convenience – Learners can listen during commutes, exercises, chores. This enables development in previously lost time.
• Change of pace – People learn in different ways. Audio caters to auditory learners and prevents screen fatigue.
• Informality – Podcasts feature real leaders having genuine conversations. This level of authenticity resonates.
• Portability – Audio can be downloaded for playback offline and on-the-go when internet access is unavailable.
• Expandability – Brief podcast episodes are non-intimidating. Interested listeners can dive deeper into topics as desired.
Ways Learning Leaders Can Incorporate Audio
Here are some best practice suggestions on integrating podcasts and audio learning:
• Curate a starter playlist of development podcasts to introduce professionals to the format. Share a few key episodes that align to organizational competencies.
• Launch an internal podcast featuring company leaders discussing leadership principles, career growth advice, and perspectives on company values.
• Develop micro e-learning modules with embedded audio explaining concepts from training programs. These “audio refreshers” help cement retention.
• Interview talent development stakeholders, instructional designers, and learners directly about their educational experiences for an organizational learning podcast.
• Experiment with interactive audio learning experiences using bite-sized scenarios and quizzes prompting listener participation.
• Sponsor subscriptions to external podcast networks as supplemental listening libraries on domains important to the business.
Audio learning enables talent development teams to meet modern professionals where they are already spending time. These tools expand our ability to support self-directed skills growth within the flow of people’s days. What’s more, audio learning strongly complements formal training programs when blended as pre-work primers or post-class reinforcements.
With portable technology now ubiquitous, tapping into audio’s unique benefits accelerates talent development’s mission of driving capability across the 21st century workforce.
Tomuz Academy
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