Are you using the science of learning to give employees the greatest chance of remembering training material so they can put it into practice? In “Improve Retention With Drip-Feed Learning,” Shannon Tipton shares how to get started designing and implementing drip-feed campaigns based in spaced learning, which is grounded in research.

More About Spaced Learning

As learning and development professionals may know, spaced learning offers an effective way for the brain to retain information. Tipton explains that when we learn something new “our brains form fragile neural connections.” Through repetition, we reinforce those connections, so they become stronger and more resilient. “In a process known as memory consolidation, spaced learning strengthens neural connections and enables incoming information to convert from short- to long-term memory,” continues Tipton.

How Drip-Feed Campaigns Work

How and why do drip-feed campaigns using spaced learning work?

First, they provide participants with ongoing exposure to training material. But rather than an intense two-day course, learners receive the material in manageable bites over time, which avoids overloading the brain.

In addition to new bite-sized content, learners receive knowledge checks to revisit material they absorbed in previous sessions, supporting prior learning.

Learners have autonomy over learning because they can access the material when it’s convenient for them and can review content as needed. Learners can tap into bonus material or personalized learning paths that instructional designers have provided and created.

ID leaders may want to weave a story throughout the course to entice learners to come back and learn the next chapter of content.

Getting Started

As with other learning programs, it’s critical to understand organizational goals before moving forward with the content or tool. The campaign is just that—not a standalone event—and, with careful planning, will ensure that it “aligns with targeted skill development and overall business objectives.”

What Do Drip-Feed Campaigns Look Like?

L&D teams have many options for drip-feed learning initiatives, both in terms of delivery mechanisms and regarding the type of learning program.

For example:

A customer service rep campaign may include L&D teams sharing product updates or feature explanations to reps in bite-sized chunks so that reps can stay informed and answer potential customer questions with ease.

L&D leaders can avoid the all-too-often overload new employees experience with drip onboarding programs that provide information as needed, and keep it engaging with short quizzes, polls, or exercises.

Leadership development programs can include repetition of key concepts “leading to a deeper understanding and enabling leaders to apply their skills in the long term.”

There are a variety of tools L&D teams can include in their drip-feed learning initiative. What learners are used to, the purpose and capabilities of the tool, and other considerations such as whether the campaign will include a social component all factor into the decision.

For example, email is ubiquitous and doesn’t require additional installation, but learners may feel email overload and it doesn’t allow for much interaction between learners.

Meanwhile, blogs—if comments are enabled—can feature sharing and interaction among learners, but the L&D team may have to figure in for a moderator.

And chatbot content can easily be scheduled in advance but may require more time and costs to develop than an L&D team has in their budget.

Try It Now

Extended periods of time away from the office and cramming material in a period of a day or two (or less) don’t work for organizations or learners. With technology and what we know about how adults learn and retain new knowledge, the time is ripe for a new way of providing training content: drip-feed learning campaigns.