Karen Davies
E-learning tools · 5 MIN · 07.11.2024
How mobile learning is shaping employee training
The way we train employees is changing: no more sitting through long seminars. These days training happens wherever you are. It fits right into your day, no matter where you are or how much time you have.
At the center of this revolution is mobile learning. But is it just another buzzword in corporate training, or does it actually deliver? Let’s dive into how mobile learning is shaping up and whether it’s the right fit for your company.
At the center of this revolution is mobile learning. But is it just another buzzword in corporate training, or does it actually deliver? Let’s dive into how mobile learning is shaping up and whether it’s the right fit for your company.
Why mobile learning is taking off
Well, we’re all very much attached to our phones. Whether we’re scrolling, texting, or checking apps, it has already become part of our routine. So, why not use that to our advantage when it comes to training? Mobile learning easily fits into today’s work life, offering the kind of flexibility that old-school training just can’t.
Employees can now pull up training whenever it works for them: on a commute, during lunch, or even while grabbing a coffee. As hybrid and remote work is becoming more and more common, mobile learning is a no-brainer solution that fits perfectly into this new way of working.
Source: Paul Hanaoka, unsplash.com
The perks of mobile learning
On-demand and flexible
No one likes mandatory 2-hour training sessions in the middle of a busy workday. Mobile learning totally changes things. Instead of long sessions, employees can now break the training into small, manageable pieces and do it whenever it fits their day. Maybe while they’re waiting in line at the store or after they’ve wrapped up work. It puts the control in their hands, letting them learn in a way that works best for them.
Personalisation and engagement
Have you ever been stuck in a training session thinking, "This has nothing to do with my job?" You’re definitely not the only one. The problem is, generic training doesn’t work for everyone because we all learn in different ways. With mobile learning, training can be personalized. Interactive features like quizzes, video content, and immersive stories can adapt to an employee’s pace and interests.
InAppStory takes things to a whole new level with in-app stories and gamification. Rather than boring slides or static presentations, employees get interactive content that feels fresh and engaging. With story formats and built-in games, it’s easy to keep people’s attention. And here’s the best part: gamification. By adding challenges and rewards, it motivates employees to stay focused. Plus, it helps them remember what they’ve learned. Overall, it’s a much smarter and more fun way to handle training. Once you start, it’s hard not to get hooked.
InAppStory takes things to a whole new level with in-app stories and gamification. Rather than boring slides or static presentations, employees get interactive content that feels fresh and engaging. With story formats and built-in games, it’s easy to keep people’s attention. And here’s the best part: gamification. By adding challenges and rewards, it motivates employees to stay focused. Plus, it helps them remember what they’ve learned. Overall, it’s a much smarter and more fun way to handle training. Once you start, it’s hard not to get hooked.
More than just a task — it’s interactive
Training that feels like a chore will always have low engagement. But when it feels like something that’s a bit more playful or rewarding, people are more likely to jump on board. Enter gamification. Mobile learning apps often include features like leaderboards, badges, and achievements. Employees can track their progress, challenge themselves, and even compete with colleagues.
Cost-effective and scalable
Sending your team to a day-long workshop can be expensive — not to mention disruptive. Between venue costs, travel, and hiring trainers, the costs add up. Mobile learning, on the other hand, is scalable. You create the training content once, and it’s available for however many employees you need to train, whether it’s 10 or 10,000. Plus, updates are easy — no reprinting materials or rescheduling sessions.
Analytics and real-time feedback
Wondering who’s really engaging and who’s just clicking through? Mobile learning platforms can tell you. They track individual progress, so you can see exactly how far each person has gone and who’s actually finished. This helps managers see who’s doing well and who might need more help. Tools like Seturon make tracking easy. You’ll know what’s working and where things need adjusting.
The downside: does mobile learning fit every training need?
Now, don’t get us wrong — mobile learning isn’t a cure-all. It has its downsides too.
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Screen Fatigue is Real. There’s no denying that we’re all spending more time in front of screens, and mobile learning just adds to that. For some employees, the idea of doing more work on their phones feels like overload. After a day of Zoom meetings and emails, asking them to take a course on their phones could be a tough sell. -
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Easily Distracted? You Bet. It’s no surprise that phones are full of distractions. For instance, there’s always an Instagram alert or a group chat messenage that come out of a sudden. This all makes it hard to focus on learning. In a classroom employees benefit from a controlled environment. But on a phone, distractions are nearly constant, making it hard to stay engaged. -
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Shallow Learning. Mobile learning is great for quick bursts of knowledge. However, it can have its limitations as well. Let’s say, for example, your team needs to learn advanced technical skills. In this case a hands-on workshop or in-person training might work much better. -
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Not Everyone is Tech-Savvy. Many people assume that using mobile apps is easy for everyone. However, this isn’t true for all employees. For instance, older team members or those in traditional roles may have difficulty with mobile learning. As a result, if mobile learning becomes the main training approach, this group might be at risk of falling behind.
Making mobile learning work for your company
If you’re excited about mobile learning, that’s great. However, before fully committing, take a moment to look at a few important factors. Thinking these through can help you see if it’s the right fit for your team.
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Ease into It. You don’t need to overhaul your entire training program overnight. Start small — pick one area of training, such as onboarding or compliance training, to move to mobile. This allows you to test the waters and see how your team responds before rolling it out more widely. -
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Select the Right Platform. Not all mobile learning platforms are created equal. Look for a platform that’s intuitive and offers features that match your company’s needs. Seturon provides many features to support scalability and track learning progress in detail. With its comprehensive analytics tools, you can easily monitor how learning is progressing across your team. -
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Encourage Buy-In from Your Team. Your employees need to see the value of mobile learning. If they view it as just another task to complete, engagement will suffer. Show them how mobile learning saves time and fits into their schedule, and consider adding rewards for course completion — whether it’s public recognition or tangible incentives. -
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Use Data to Improve. One of the biggest advantages of mobile learning is that it gives you access to real-time data on how employees are doing. Think about it this way: your data is more than just numbers — it’s a guide. Look at completion rates and engagement levels to see where your training materials might need a refresh. If certain sections seem to trip people up, adjust how they’re presented. Or, where it’s clear that extra support is needed, consider adding it to help everyone stay on track.
What’s the future of employee training?
So, is mobile learning truly the future of corporate training? In many ways, yes. Mobile learning is reshaping how training is done, making it more accessible, engaging, and flexible. But mobile learning isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s at its best when used alongside other methods, especially for complex or hands-on skills where in-person training still plays a key role.
The key takeaway is flexibility. Mobile learning provides a scalable, engaging, and cost-effective option for companies. However, its success relies on how thoughtfully it’s applied. Tailoring it to your team’s needs and combining it with other methods will deliver the best results. Prioritizing engagement keeps mobile learning impactful and relevant.
The key takeaway is flexibility. Mobile learning provides a scalable, engaging, and cost-effective option for companies. However, its success relies on how thoughtfully it’s applied. Tailoring it to your team’s needs and combining it with other methods will deliver the best results. Prioritizing engagement keeps mobile learning impactful and relevant.
Ultimately, training is about more than just completing tasks. It’s about fostering real growth in your employees. When implemented effectively, mobile learning achieves exactly that.
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- Karen DaviesEducational writerI help businesses create impactful online courses that inspire learning and growth.
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