Today’s learner is much different than the one we saw just a few years ago. It goes without saying they are much more digitally inclined and device dependent. In fact, recent research shows today’s learners check their smartphones nine times an hour. This reliance on mobile technology isn’t changing any time soon: our research found 36 percent of college students at four-year schools in the U.S. can’t go more than a minute without looking at their phones.

While this makes for great facts to drop in a cocktail-party conversation – or not, since everyone is on their phones – what does it mean for your organization’s learning program?

More than likely, it means you aren’t quite at a stage with your content or its delivery where your program could be called “mature” – meaning they meet the needs of your digitally engaged workforce – there are some important questions that need to be answered if you truly want to meet the needs of today’s learners:

• Are your materials still in print?
• Are you using a learning management system to assign training?
• When and where can your learners gain access to the materials?
• How much digital functionality are you using?

If you answer the first question in the affirmative, then you know where to start the path to maturity. Print is expensive to maintain and update. The fastest way to turn off and disengage a learner is to serve up outdated content or require them to study further print addendums.

Put learners in a position to succeed by providing an environment that fosters collaboration, further inquiry and allows them to follow their intellectual curiosity. We know this is how today’s learner, well, learns.

To learn more about how to move your organization toward digital maturity in your learning program, be on the lookout for further blogs or download Print, Interrupted, a more comprehensive look at maturing your digital offerings.