Only some personality dimensions actually suit e-learning, according to research by SHL, a leading psychometric testing provider. SHL’s investigations established that individual personalities greatly affect the ways that they learn most effectively – and neither a pure e-learning approach nor 100 % classroom learning suits most.
SHL based its research on findings from its Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ), which divides personality up into three different groups (relationships with people, thinking style and feelings and emotions), and 32 dimensions within these groups (such as affiliative, decisive, evaluative). Using this scale SHL’s researchers were able to understand which personality dimensions effected learning style, and what that meant about the individual needs of respondents. Findings emphasise how important it will be for employers to have individual insights into their employees motivations if they want to maximise their training budget.
The research involved a scientific study of 90 classroom course delegates who each completed SHL’s OPQ32i personality questionnaire during the course and then a post-course questionnaire. Findings revealed that ‘achieving’ and ‘decisive’ personalities respond most positively to e-learning, as these individuals are likely to be personally driven to finish tasks without needing encouragement, with the former having the most success and the latter the most enjoyment. Those that benefit the least from this method of training include ‘affiliative’ and ‘variety seeking’ personalities, who prefer to learn in an environment with an instructor and other individuals present, as these individuals respond to social interaction, can miss the company of others and can become bored by routine or repetitive work.
Whilst commercial e-learning has always been driven by technological developments, often with a view to making the system more user friendly, SHL felt the psychological aspects of effective e-learning had been neglected in previous research. As world leader in the science of psychometrics in the workplace, SHL is able to begin with the individual and tailor training solutions more closely to their needs.
Advantages
Tim Evans, Head of Training, SHL UK, commented on the findings: “There are many advantages to using e-learning tools rather than instructor-led training, for example, the focus is learner-centric, flexible, self-paced, consistent and cost effective. Delegates don’t need to take days out of their busy schedules in order to visit a training facility, and this is often a powerful incentive. But humans are social animals and personality inevitably has an effect on which mode of learning is more appropriate to an individual.”
“SHL’s research shows that when designing training it is necessary to bear in mind that individuals with different personalities will have different requirements, which should be addressed as fully as possible. To be effective for all personality types, e-Learning should not only be clear, interactive, animated and engaging but also form part of blended learning. This retains an element of the non-routine face to face interaction and could be the future of really successful training.”
Tips for employers
1. Review the e-learning offering before putting your staff on:
Is it engaging and interactive?
Is it interesting and colourful?
Will feedback be provided?
If the answers are yes to these questions, the experience will be more enjoyable and people will learn more. It will also aid the effectiveness of the learning. People have rated the provision of feedback as even more valuable than the flexibility and convenience that e-Learning offers.
2. Consider the personality and learning styles of your employees, as different personality types will learn differently.
3. Has the system you are planning to use been designed to incorporate different aspects in order to appeal to the likely audience and their typical personality. Research shows that an engaging learning experience increases long term transfer of training in the workplace
4.Find out whether support is offered online for course delegates, either via phone or email. The research shows that some personality types are more dependent on ongoing tutor support with their learning.
5. It is recognised that people with certain personalities (e.g. sociable, extravert people) enjoy learning more in a group with other people, as well as the recognition they receive from peers and managers when they return, and others positively prefer e-Learning. SHL has ensured that the courses are blended – i.e. a combination of online and face-to-face to appeal to a broader variety of people.
6. If you choose e-learning, ensure there is sufficient time allocated for your employees to do the work properly without rushing. Research supports the idea that people learn more when they are relaxed and able to work at their own pace.
7. After the course, take an interest in what your employees have learnt, and how it will be applied in the workplace. They will appreciate the opportunity to discuss this face-to-face and the recognition that they have taken time to learn something for the benefit of the company
8. For pure e-learning courses, ideally delegates will be self-sufficient, self-driven and comfortable learning alone.
9. Introverts will be happier with more positive reinforcement from the computer system whereas extraverts will thrive on recognition form other people. Therefore do take an interest in their course and give praise for success.
10 Some employees enjoy more variety in their work, and could become bored easily with an online learning system. Take steps to ensure that online modules are quick-paced and engaging.
