Whether training face to face or remotely many companies are choosing to use an eBook for their support material and workbooks, rather than paper copies. There are many reasons for this change including environmental concerns, shipping costs and the mere fact of delegates having heavy training manuals to haul about.
Whilst these may seem like sound reasons for moving to an eBook it misses one of the most important benefits of electronic media, the ability to collect data on the usage of the eBook. Because the eBook connects to the internet it is possible to track how the book is used in all kinds of ways – including:
WHO – the PDI analytics dashboard can see who has been registered, if and when they log in and how long they spend on each page and chapter. It is possible to understand the level of engagement with content, including: study time, pages accessed, annotations, searches, citations, prints & copies and downloads
WHAT – by aggregating the data it is possible to understand the various elements of the training and thus understand effectiveness. This is not just the amount of time spent on different pages and sections of the training but also looking at the heat maps of the engagement and looking at the frequency of search terms.
WHEN AND WHERE – the data also reveals at what time of day people study (working hours or weekends) and which types of devices are used whether this be a PC, tablet or phone. This reveals a lot about how people wish to study and whether this is small bite sized chunks or intensive periods of training.
The Benefits of Using Data to Improve Training Programs
One of the key benefits of using analytics to improve training is that it gives L&D professionals and training companies the information they need to identify what is working and what is not. For example, analytics can be used to identify if many delegates are struggling with a training topic. They will know if they need to revise a part of training. This increases the effectiveness and speed of training
Another benefit of advanced learning analytics is its ability to help customize training content. One of the toughest challenges training professionals face is trying to create content that is relevant and appealing to a diverse audience. Delegates often have different knowledge levels and learning preferences. Analysing learner patterns is the first step towards creating personalized learning paths that deliver content in a way that best suits everyone.
Analytics also lowers costs by increasing efficiency. By revising or removing segments that are not adding value to the learner's experience, training professionals can improve the overall ROI of the training program. An improved ROI means greater competitiveness through demonstrable added value.