Top Trend Survey – Top tools for learning in HR

As we get more and more connected, the tools we use for learning and finding learning are increasingly online and on mobile. I have recently completed an online CPD session focused on trends in learning. As well as hearing the views of top people in the industry, participants were invited to list their own top learning tools.

Background to the Top Trend Survey module

The session featured a video interview with Jane Hart from the Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies. Since 2007 Jane and the C4LPT have produced an annual survey based on results from 1000s of people around the world with an interest in learning tools.

The results from the 2016 survey identify the following top 10 learning tools:

1.  YouTube
2.  Google Search
3. Twitter
4. PowerPoint
5. Google Docs/Drive
6. Facebook
7. Skype
8. LinkedIn
9. WordPress
10. Dropbox

Now to many, not all of these are “tools” as such, but software or platforms used in the journey of learning.

The trends module content

The module content explored a number of factors including definitions of Social Learning and social Collaboration. But what really interested me was the activity at the end of the module. Each participant took part in a survey asking what our top 5 tools were.

Results in context

Before reading the results it is important to know that this is the result of just over 300 contributions from HR and Learning & Development practitioners. So not your typical learners!

A graphic showing peoples first choice of learning tools

All results excluding the top tools:

All learning tools

Learning tools ranked in 2-5th place Results

It is clear from these graphics, that no matter how you cut the data the top learning tools for HR & L&D professionals are:

Google, Youtube, LinkedIn, Twitter and FaceBook

When we look down the data, platforms like MOOCS (Massive Open Online Course) are high behind some of the stated platforms.

What are MOOCs?

A Massive Open Online Course or MOOC is an interactive step-by-step course or programme of learning aimed at reaching a large number of participants worldwide to create a community of lifelong learners. Often for free or very low cost.

Confusion over learning tools

Despite participants having undertaken a module on learning tools, and asked to add their favorite tools to the list people still added tools like:

• Blogs
• Classroom courses
• Books
• elearning