Seminar is over – and now? For optimal learning transfer, participants in further education should repeatedly engage in smaller exercises. The learning environment plays an important role: Whether in the office, at home, on the go, or in nature – we will reveal to you the advantages and disadvantages of the different learning environments!
Further Education After the Seminar – Where Should We Learn?
In adult education, learning usually takes place at the familiar workplace. When it comes to specific training, employees typically gather for a few hours in seminar rooms. But where is the best learning environment for the practical transfer after the seminar? Ideally, further education does not stop as soon as I leave the seminar room!
Excursus: Difference Between Learning Environment and Learning Setting
This article primarily focuses on the learning environment, such as the office or one’s own four walls. I couldn't find a clear definition to distinguish between learning environment and learning setting.
However, I would refer to learning setting a little more towards the immediate surroundings of the learner: What does the desk look like? Am I sitting with my back to the wall? How is the lighting? According to Wikipedia, the learning environment is defined more broadly, encompassing “the learning process itself AND the environment in which it takes place.”
In a preferred learning setting, people are fundamentally different: Some say they need chaos around them, while others want a place free from any distractions. Some prefer a familiar environment, while others draw inspiration from new impressions.
Nevertheless, some learning environments have basic advantages and disadvantages for all types of learners, which I will now present to you in more detail.
E-Learning = "Learning Without a Place"?
Before I delve into the individual physical learning environments, it is interesting to take a look at the topic of E-Learning: In most definitions, digital learning is described as independent of location. Of course, with E-Learning we can learn wherever we want. However, the location does influence our learning experience!
According to definition, E-Learning is placeless – which, in my opinion, is simply untrue! Location independence would mean that no learning environment exists at all. The truth is: E-Learning is locationindependent, meaning it is not tied to a specific physical location. The learner chooses a self-selected learning environment for E-Learning.
Let's now examine typical (physical) learning environments and include both analog and E-Learning!
Four Typical Learning Environments Compared
Outside the seminar, participants should engage in exercises, reflect on what they have learned, and engage in discussions with others. In short: Learn. This usually takes place at the following four learning environments:
Learning in the Office
Learning at Home
Learning on the Go
Learning in Nature
Learning Environment No. 1: Learning in the Office
Your own workspace is probably the most common learning environment for adults. Of course, you spend many hours there every week! It makes sense to use breaks between meetings and tasks to do a small exercise.
Learning Environment Office: Utilize the familiar workplace to engage in exercises for further training.
Advantages: Learning Environment Office | Disadvantages: Learning Environment Office |
All learning materials available | Distraction from colleagues |
Cognitive connection with daily work | Distraction from emails or phone calls |
Flexible scheduling possible | Transfer to other areas is difficult |
E-Learning in the Office
A clear advantage for E-Learning in the office is data protection: Many companies restrict the use of online learning environments so that employees can only use them within the corporate network. In line with the motto: Secure internet connection – lowest risk.
Nevertheless, it is beneficial for important practical transfer to occasionally leave the familiar environment. With a reputable and high-quality software provider, using it outside the company is also safe – and offers much more room for personal learning development!
Tips for Learning in the Office
Turn all devices to silent
Place a "Do Not Disturb" sign or other signals
Consciously schedule short learning appointments for yourself in the calendar
Eliminate non-learning relevant items from your field of vision
Learning Environment No. 2: Learning at Home
Learning at home, provided it is allowed by the employer, must be well organized: Here, too, there are distractions, as well as the risk of not being able to "switch off" properly at some point. The mixing of work and personal life is hotly debated, even though it is currently being redefined within the framework of New Work.
Because: With a few tips and rules, learning at home is the ideal opportunity to create cognitive connections. Especially with non-subject-related topics and soft-skill training, changes in location help with transfer to everyday life.
Learning Environment at Home: Choose a comfortable environment that feels good and is flexible.
Advantages: Learning Environment at Home | Disadvantages: Learning Environment at Home |
Choose a relaxed, comfortable learning environment | Distraction from personal matters |
Cognitive connection with daily work | Required downtime may not be utilized |
| Necessary learning materials may be missing |
E-Learning at Home
If we look at the disadvantages in the table, the points for E-Learning, in contrast to analog learning, are not so severe: I do not need a free table or any additional learning materials, but usually only my laptop, tablet, or even just my smartphone.
Tips for Learning at Home
Keep learning sessions short: Concentration is usually lost after no more than 30 minutes
Do not force yourself to learn: Use appropriate moments
Incorporate private individuals casually (e.g., initiate discussions)
Important: For all learning environments that are outside the company, formalities must be clearly regulated: Is learning considered working time? If so, (how) is it documented? Such questions should not prevent companies from allowing learning outside! Solutions are usually possible and are absolutely sensible in terms of New Work and the flexibilization of working time and environment in the long term.
Learning Environment No. 3: Learning on the Go
Admittedly, “on the go” is not a clear learning environment. I understand it to mean learning on the train, at the station, or at the airport. Here, especially E-Learning is a great method because often I only need my smartphone or tablet. However, practical exercises in soft-skill training can sometimes be wonderfully integrated into otherwise unused commuting time.
Thus, employees can transform frustration from delays into a positive mindset while on the go: From “Delay again!” to “Great, now I can do a 10-minute exercise!” 😄
Learning Environment on the Go: Use waiting times to refresh learning content.
Advantages: Learning Environment On the Go | Disadvantages: Learning Environment On the Go |
Make optimal use of commuting time | Possibly dependent on a stable internet connection |
High learning transfer possible due to various external impressions | No fixed learning times can be scheduled |
E-Learning on the Go
Mobile learning is one of the main arguments for E-Learning: The learner is not bound to fixed locations and can make optimal use of delays in trains. However, for learning to succeed well, the digital learning environment should meet several requirements.
See also: 5 criteria that a mobile LMS must meet
Tips for Learning on the Go
Carry necessary learning materials with you
Ensure a secure internet connection
Create a positive mindset
Learning Environment No. 4: Learning in Nature
Learning in nature is probably not the first learning environment that trainers and personal developers think of for their employees. However, it is worth considering and trying out unusual learning environments for independent further training!
Because: Just 20 minutes in the woods have been shown to reduce stress levels. And those who feel comfortable learn best!
Learning Environment in Nature: Why not go outside and complete learning content in a particularly relaxing environment?
Advantages: Learning Environment in Nature | Disadvantages: Learning Environment in Nature |
Quiet and little distraction | More difficult to reach than other learning environments |
Significant distance from the office environment ensures high learning transfer | Poor seating or lack of tables |
Relaxed learning atmosphere | Possibly dependent on a stable internet connection |
E-Learning in Nature
With a smartphone or tablet, depending on the required internet connection, learning in nature is a great balance to other learning environments. This does not mean that every outing into nature should immediately be used for E-Learning! But especially those who quickly feel “cooped up” in the office or at home can relocate their learning to a quiet spot in nature and come up with entirely new ideas.
Tips for Learning in Nature
It doesn’t have to be the Black Forest – even the city park can be a good learning environment!
Use intentionally for reflections, which require little learning material
Find favorite spots and visit them regularly for learning
Conclusion: The Optimal Learning Environments for Continuing Education Outside the Seminar
There is no “one” optimal learning environment – but generally, the following tips are helpful:
Give unusual learning environments a chance!
Ensure as little distraction as possible!
Include fixed learning times!
Keep learning times short – better 10 minutes every day than one hour in a row!
Exchange experiences with other learners!
Trust in E-Learning with a tool that enables mobile learning perfectly!
And one final tip: With the Blended Learning method, you combine the best of analog and digital learning. In the E-Learning phase, you allow participants to choose which learning environment they want to use for exercises for the practical transfer. All they need for this: a tablet, laptop, or smartphone and access to E-Learning.
Support them by briefly introducing the various learning environments and their advantages and disadvantages! This way, everyone can decide for themselves when and where to pursue digital further education.
