Seminar over – and now? For optimal learning transfer, participants in further education should regularly do smaller exercises. The learning location 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 different learning locations!
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 further education, employees usually gather in seminar rooms for a few hours. But where is the best learning place for practical transfer after the seminar? Ideally, the further education does not end as soon as I leave the seminar room!
Excursus: Difference between learning location and learning environment
This article primarily deals with the learning location, such as the office or one’s own four walls. I could not find a clear definition to distinguish between learning location and learning environment.
However, I would refer to learning environment more in the immediate vicinity of the learner: What does the desk look like? Am I sitting with my back to the wall? What are the lighting conditions? According to Wikipedia, the learning location is defined more broadly and encompasses “the learning process itself AND the environment in which it takes place.”
Regarding the preferred learning environment, people are fundamentally different: Some say they need chaos around them, others want a place free of distractions. Some desire a familiar environment, while others are inspired by new impressions.
Nevertheless, certain learning locations have fundamental advantages and disadvantages for all learning types, which I would like to present to you in more detail now.
E-Learning = “Learning without a location”?
Before I discuss the individual physical learning locations, a look at the topic of E-Learning is interesting: In most definitions, digital learning is described as location-independent. Of course, with E-Learning we can learn wherever we want. However, the location influences our learning experience!
According to definition, E-Learning is locationless – which in my view is simply incorrect! Locationlessness would mean that there is no learning location at all. The truth is: E-Learning is locationindependent, so it is not bound to a specific physical location. The learner is at a self-chosen learning location during E-Learning.
Now let’s examine typical (physical) learning locations and include both analog and E-Learning!
Four typical learning locations in comparison
Outside the seminar, participants should do exercises, reflect on what they have learned, and engage in discussion with others. In short: learn. This usually takes place at the following four learning locations:
Learning in the office
Learning at home
Learning on the go
Learning in nature
Learning Location No. 1: Learning in the Office
The personal workspace is probably the most common learning location for adults. Of course, you're already spending many hours a week here! So it makes sense to use the gaps between meetings and to-dos to do a small exercise.
Learning location office: Use the familiar workspace to do exercises for further education.
| Advantages: Learning location office | Disadvantages: Learning location office || ------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- || All learning materials available | Distractions from colleagues || Cognitive connection with everyday work | Distractions from emails or phone calls || Flexible scheduling possible | Transfer to other areas is difficult |
E-Learning in the Office
A clear advantage of E-Learning in the office is the point of data protection: Many companies restrict the use of the online learning environment so that employees can only use it in the company network. Following the motto: Secure internet connection – lowest risk.
However, to ensure important practical transfer, it helps to occasionally leave the familiar surroundings. With a reputable and high-quality software provider, using the system outside of the company is also safe – and offers much more room for personal learning development!
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Tips for Learning in the Office
Put all devices on silent mode
Place a “Do Not Disturb” sign or other signals
Consciously schedule short learning appointments for yourself in the calendar
Eliminate non-learning-related items from your field of vision
Learning Location No. 2: Learning at Home
Learning at home, if it is even allowed by the employer, must be well organized: Here, too, distractions lurk, and there is the danger of not being able to “switch off” properly eventually. The mixing of work and private life is highly controversial, even though it is currently being completely redefined in the context of New Work.
Because: With a few tips and rules, learning at home is the ideal opportunity to create cognitive connections. Especially with off-subject topics and soft skill training, the change of scenery helps with transfer into everyday life.
Learning location at home: Choose a comfortable environment that gives a good feeling.
| Advantages: Learning location at home | Disadvantages: Learning location at home || -------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ || Choose a relaxed, comfortable learning environment | Distractions from personal matters || Cognitive connection with everyday work | Necessary breaks 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 as severe: I don’t need a free table or any additional learning materials, typically just my laptop, tablet, or even just my smartphone.
Tips for Learning at Home
Keep learning times short: Concentration is usually gone after a maximum of 30 minutes
Don’t “force” yourself to learn: Use appropriate moments
Involve private individuals casually (e.g., start discussions)
Important: For all learning locations that are outside the company, formalities must be clearly arranged: Is the learning time considered working hours? If so, how will it be evidenced? However, such questions should not prevent companies from allowing learning outside! Usually, solutions are possible, and regarding New Work and the flexibilization of working hours and environments, it is absolutely sensible in the long run.
Learning Location No. 3: Learning on the Go
Admittedly, “on the go” is not a clear learning location. I understand it to mean learning on the train, at the train station, or at the airport. Here, especially E-Learning is a great method, as I often only need my smartphone or tablet for it. However, practical exercises in soft skill training can sometimes be wonderfully incorporated into otherwise unused commuting time.
This way, employees can turn frustration from delays into a positive mindset on the go: From “Not again delay!” to “Great, now I can do a 10-minute exercise!” 😄
Learning location on the go: Use waiting times to refresh learning content.
| Advantages: Learning location on the go | Disadvantages: Learning location on the go || ------------------------------------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------- || Optimize commuting time | Dependent on stable internet connection || High learning transfer possible due to various external impressions | No fixed learning times can be planned |
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 optimally make use of train delays, for example. However, the digital learning environment should meet certain requirements for successful learning.
See also: 5 criteria that a mobile LMS must absolutely meet
Tips for Learning on the Go
Carry necessary learning materials with you
Pay attention to a secure internet connection
Create a positive mindset
Learning Location No. 4: Learning in Nature
Learning in nature is probably not the first learning location that trainers and HR developers think of for their employees. However, it is worth considering and trying out unusual learning locations for independent further education!
Because: Just 20 minutes in the forest has been proven to lower stress levels. And those who feel comfortable learn more effectively!
Learning location in nature: Why not go outside and complete learning content in a particularly relaxing environment?
| Advantages: Learning location in nature | Disadvantages: Learning location in nature || ------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- || Quiet and few distractions | More difficult to reach than other learning locations || Great distance from the office environment ensures high learning transfer | Poor seating / lack of tables || Relaxed learning atmosphere | Possibly dependent on stable internet connection |
E-Learning in Nature
With a smartphone or tablet, depending on the internet connection needed, learning in nature is a great counterbalance to other learning locations. This does not mean that every trip into the green should be used for E-Learning! However, especially for those who quickly feel “cabin fever” in the office or at home, learning can be relocated to a quiet place in nature for 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 location!
Use it specifically for reflections, for which I need little learning material
Find favorite spots and regularly visit them to learn
Conclusion: The optimal learning locations for further education outside the seminar
There is no “one” optimal learning location – but the following tips are generally helpful:
Give unusual learning locations a chance!
Ensure as little distraction as possible!
Schedule fixed learning times!
Keep learning times short – better 10 minutes every day than one hour once!
Share experiences with other learners!
Trust in E-Learning a tool that perfectly enables mobile learning!
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 where they want to do exercises for practical transfer. All they need for this: a tablet, laptop, or smartphone and access to E-Learning.
Give them some support by briefly presenting the various learning locations and their advantages and disadvantages! This way, everyone can decide for themselves when and where to further educate themselves digitally.
