The new ways of learning in the disruptive era 

Our world today is fast-changing and even the most successful companies are in risk in the disruptive world if they do not change. This assertion from one of the most powerful digital leaders reminds me of a few different ways of learning in the disruptive era and I shall discuss them in this article.
First, everything in our world moves in an accelerated pace, therefore people would also prefer to access knowledge in a speedy manner. This aligns with the study from Microsoft in 2015 which claimed that on average, the human attention span is about eight seconds. 
The content we used to provide in learning were long and often times, were not able to hold the attention of learners. Such content in learning could have been shrunk into bite-sized pieces that were more thought-provoking to entice the idea generation, and led towards insights and application. 
Nowadays, whenever a learner wants to know more, they can instantly access Google for additional details by themselves. This is the shift from long programmes to easy-to-digest micro-learning content. It works well in this era when learners are constantly bombarded with information.
I recall an experience when I was the facilitator representing a Stanford University executive education programme. I was given an advice from Stanford professor to design learning sessions into a compacted 90-minutes module. The highlight in each module is to provide 1-2 profound learning points that provoke the learner’s thought.
Second, learning does not stop in a classroom. People can learn from anywhere through blended learning by utilising technology such as short courses with follow-up discussions and reinforcement programme with articles or VDO clips in the digital format. 
In pursuing that type of learning, we empower learners to learn anything from anywhere with anyone at any time. As people perceive learning as a journey rather than an event, the momentum is critical to support and create a changing environment for learners.
From my experience as a trainer and coach over a decade, I see higher rate of success and sustainability with the learning programme that is arranged as a continuous journey where we incorporate classroom, digital media, follow-up sessions, and also encourage learners to work on a focused project or area. 
The key for learners to apply what they know is to start small, and be consistent and pursuant with different types of learning environments until those skills and knowledge become a part of their routine. The key is not only to provide good content but also a learning environment for the learners.
Last but not the least, people learn faster through experiences, not just from a handful amount of content. Knowledge and skills can be learned through the integration of games (gamification). The actual experiences through activity and after action discussion can expand the speed and depth of learning. 
Using the psychology of games or activities, the retention rate in learning is definitely increasing. The courses can be in combination with games, activities, even the study trip. The learner are, thus, reinforced through different senses that can quickly match their learning styles. They can see, hear, feel, and discuss which deepen the experiences of knowledge or skills. 
My experience in conducting several study trips have witnessed the belief change of some learners. Several times that we discuss the cases or best practice, it still doesn’t drive learners into action. We must enhance the inspiration and move learners into taking some actions. If classroom lead people to think, the activity will lead them to feel.
In relation to learning from experience, there was a case a few years ago when I brought my learners for a study trip while we were working on a course to generate new ideas and create possibilities from limited resources. 
The study trip was done in Singapore – a country known for possessing only a limited amount of resources, but has become one of Asia’s leading countries. Learning from true stories and real people gradually changed the belief of my learners.
In sum, the definition of being smart in the new era is no longer about how much you know or how adept you are at avoiding mistakes. Instead, it’s about being a critical thinker, a motivated learner and an effective activator to try and practice on what you have learned. 
As Tony Robbins, the world famous coach, once said: “it’s not what you learn that makes you successful. It’s what you do with what you learn that makes you successful.”
 
Contributed by DR SIRAYA KONGSOMPONG, Senior Consultant at SEAC, Southeast Asia’s leading Executive, Leadership and Innovation Capability Development Centre. She can be reached at [email protected]