Doesn’t need great technical ability

I’ve just returned from an epic family holiday to Asia.

We saved for a long time to take advantage of that unique situation when BOTH kids had exams and so finished school before the end of term – immediately making travel significantly cheaper.

One of our destinations was Dubai. Whilst there, we visited the Museum of the Future.

Set in the year 2071, it showed how we were tackling the problems of a changing climate and adapting to those things that couldn’t be changed. I liked the fact that it had a positive note by focusing on solutions rather than beating everyone up for the destructive behaviors of the past.

But this passage caught my eye.

It suggests that technology is always the answer – we just have to find the right question.

Now, there’s no doubt that technology is vital in our future, but in my opinion, we shouldn’t be going around with a new piece of tech, a gadget or app finding problems that it will solve. We should be focusing on the issues and then searching for the thing that will help solve them.

Just as in training design.

I see a lot of questions on LinkedIn, in the Training Designer’s Club Facebook group (and others like it) asking for recommendations for apps, systems and software to solve a certain problem.

But if we ONLY look for answers in tech, we may be overlooking something that’s better. Somethings that’s easier. Something that’s quicker. Something that’s cheaper. Something that’s more effective.

We know from our work together in the VIP membership that even virtual training doesn’t have to be tech focused to be successful. As long as you have a virtual meeting room, you don’t always need much else.

• Accelerated learning principles tell us that (check out the MASTER your training design course for more insight).
• Training ‘Trumps’ tell us that.
• Stories tell us that.
• Coaching tells us that.
• Human nature tells us that.

As a result of the covid pandemic the world of L&D has embraced technology, which is brilliant.

But there are many L&D practitioners out there who are not so confident with tech; Who worry that if they aren’t using a variety of the latest apps, they aren’t adding value; Who fear that their years of knowledge and experience are less relevant if they can’t deliver in a modern way; Who fear that their old-fashioned facilitation skills are no longer required.

That is not true. Our VIP members have shown us that the future doesn’t always have to be technology led.

• Leanne Davies introduced us to Liberating Structures – a great way to create engagement and participation. Many of the techniques work just as well over zoom as they do face to face.
  
• Emer O’Leary showed us how simple graphics – with old fashioned pen and paper – can be used to great effect, even in a virtual setting.
  
• Terry Pearce has showed us, via his Transform Deck, how to incorporate games-based learning principles into sessions to gain and retain interest.
  
• Andonella Thompson runs a Coaches Catch-up on a monthly basis, and I host weekly Designer Drop-Ins – both are informal meetings where we roll our sleeves up and discuss real-world challenges and share ideas.

None of them need any particular technical ability beyond joining a Zoom meeting.

The fact is, PEOPLE still make the biggest difference. It’s our creativity, our connection and our inspiration that will change the world. The tech is just a tool to get things done.

And the same is true of training.

Which brings to mind this brilliant video, which I hope you find inspiring.

If you worry about being left behind in an increasingly tech-focused world but aren’t ready to give it all up, why not become a VIP member? We are normal people. Busy practitioners like you, and we can help build your confidence with tech, but also show you how to work around it.