Andragogy (And RCM) as the Answer to Lifelong Learning

Community favorite Robyn Defelice is back with some great insight on adult learning!

“A young professional logs into a live gaming platform” isn’t the start of a joke, but a prediction of the future in upskilling the workforce. Given the current challenges facing Gen Z professionals such as:

• high demand for performance with little time to develop skills to meet that demand, not to mention 

• lack of power skills (e.g., negotiation, motivating others, self-reflection) given that traditional education models focus on knowledge and skill acquisition tied to a field of study, and

• coping with cultural shifts related to being students/apprentices to employees. Feedback is no longer immediate, expectations are not clearly outlined, and there is accountability beyond the individual.

It is no easier from the organization’s perspective when providing upskilling opportunities. An organization’s culture may not embrace continuous learning or it may be struggling with strategic business decisions focused on hiring new talent and/or upskilling its current employees. 

Additionally, organizations that offer upskilling programs see minimal usage, mainly due to not allocating adequate time to use the programs. Plus, not all organizations are going to have the resources or capacity to develop upskilling programs.

That’s where RCM Labs sees a crossroad for opportunity to these common conundrums.

RCM’s Andragogical Application

RCM provides all of this within an effectively designed framework based on andragogical principles; known for building self-efficacy, self-perception, and self-esteem. Andragogy focuses on the adult learner and it works best with learner’s who embrace:

• The desire to acquire knowledge and skills and knowing their own deficiencies (e.g., self-directed learning and self-reflective practice),

• The ability to manifest desired changes through own efforts (e.g. learning to do), and

• The capacity for cooperation and collaboration in static and dynamic settings (e.g. learning to adapt)

All characteristics of the Gen Z workforce.

Several of andragogy’s key characteristics are highlighted in the context of RCM's Play, Learn and Earn online gaming platform in the table below.

So why is this the answer? A more empowered employee is a more productive employee. In fact, research by MIT Sloan School discovered a 250% Return on Investment (ROI) from 12 months of soft skills training. Now consider what the ROI might look like for your organization by maximizing a platform that is ready to help your organization.

---

Robyn A. Defelice, PhD, has been a strategist and consultant in the learning and performance arena for over 20 years. She is the co-author of “Micro-learning: Short and Sweet” and has been providing answers to questions about training development for nearly 13 years. Robyn’s diverse portfolio includes major health and insurance systems, pharmaceutical sales, financial institutions, and manufacturing. She has also assisted startups, state universities and government agencies.

You can join our Discord server here