How to cultivate an interdisciplinary approach to creating learning solutions
Creating learning solutions differs from simply creating a course in several ways. One, a robust learning solution requires a learning expert to consider more than just the outcomes, delivery methods and feedback loops that typically accompany the planning and creation of any course. Two, learning solutions focus on integrating any new training into an organization that has the people, processes, programs and platforms to support it. And three, creating learning solutions differs from simply creating a course because it provides a chance to review existing systems, processes and frameworks for the organization as a whole to ensure effective and efficient delivery of the training when the time comes. How can you cultivate an interdisciplinary approach to creating learning solutions like this? The DLS Method™ can help.
What is an interdisciplinary approach to creating learning solutions?
Let’s start with understanding exactly what an interdisciplinary approach is. Where most learning experts or business strategies would approach a learning project from the perspective of their subject matter expertise (think onboarding, instructional design, marketing, feedback, testing, etc.), an interdisciplinary approach means considering and accounting for all of these areas of concern. That might sound like a lot of extra work, but stick with me. The truth is that cultivating an interdisciplinary approach to creating learning solutions doesn’t happen naturally, but it doesn’t mean it’s a lot more work. In fact, by leveraging the tools, systems and frameworks within The DLS Method™ provided by Deveaux Learning Solutions, organizations find that issues beyond the training and development departments are being improved.
This may materialize in several ways beyond the scope of training, but because The DLS Method™ accounts for, considers and works to improve any gaps identified through the use of our proprietary tool, The DLS Method Matrix™, a natural review and decision period is created for an organization. Such an opportunity means that there’s a chance to not only fix the issues identified, but improve upon the foundations in which they reside. In other words, an interdisciplinary approach to creating learning solutions can not only result in better training initiatives, but also better businesses to deliver that training.
What’s included in an interdisciplinary approach to creating learning solutions?
At Deveaux Learning Solutions, our learning projects are powered by The DLS Method™. This is our proprietary framework and tools system that incorporates 12 unique approaches to creating learning solutions across 4 pillars of success. On their own, each one of these disciplines serves a purpose for learning and business development. But when leveraged and executed together, The DLS Method™ and The DLS Method Matrix™ create a unique environment in which any new or updated training can be delivered. The 4 pillars of success include people, processes, programs and platforms. And the 12 disciplines include consulting and planning, stakeholder alignment, documenting and reporting, workflows and automation, systems thinking, instructional design, adult education, curriculum development, launch support, maintenance, learning management systems, and employee training and coaching.
Unlock the key to training success with an interdisciplinary approach to creating learning solutions.
One of the key indicators of success for any project developed by Deveaux Learning Solutions is the improvement of workflow and delivery systems related to the training initiatives. This is because a 30,000-foot view of an organization’s approach to learning yields a lot of data points for integration or improvement. This is achieved by considering the 12 disciplines across 4 pillars of success. That means when The DLS Method™ is applied to your learning project, you’ll not only consider instructional design aspects of programs and platforms, but also people and processes. It means we’ll explore how your automations are impacting your people and processes. We’ll dig into the ways in which your maintenance plans are being impacted by your people and platforms. But we don’t just put each discipline to the test of one or two of the pillars of success, no.
Each unique discipline is wrung through all 4 pillars of success: people, processes, programs and platforms. Think of it as a 4-corner checklist for your entire training department and organization at large. What’s happening in one department could be impacting another, thus creating friction for your learning that you’re not even thinking about or aware of. And missing that information means lost opportunity and dollars.
Eliminate, reduce, raise and create with confidence using an interdisciplinary approach.
When applied to any learning project, The DLS Method™ promises to eliminate the chaos of creating learning initiatives, reduce the friction of delivering them, raise the bar on training as a whole, and create opportunities for future growth for your people, processes, programs and platforms.
An integrated, full-scale, interdisciplinary approach to creating learning solutions means that you can count on sound programming, solid delivery systems, frameworks for future success and so much more.
Using the right tool at the right time.
As an experienced learning solutions specialist, I’ve seen training courses of all shapes and sizes and the thing most clients focus on when creating courses is how they are going to market them. This is a great stepping stone into an interdisciplinary approach to creating learning solutions, but it doesn’t paint the full picture. Before a course can be marketed, it needs the foundations in place to support it when it’s being sold. There needs to be a plan in place for troubleshooting and providing customer support. What do the updates look like later? Who is responsible for those? What will it cost to automate the systems required to onboard students without a lot of fuss? These aren’t just questions that need to be answered by a course creator; they need to be answered by an entire organization.
By taking an interdisciplinary approach to creating learning solutions, these important points of consideration don’t get missed. Stakeholders at every level are considered and included in the final product and delivery systems, and feedback, reporting and maintenance are easier than ever because the process has been thought through, examined, improved, and rolled out with care.
Interested in powering your next training initiative with The DLS Method™? Book a call today.
