The year so far has been busy for Ignition. We’ve been reviewing our current learning strategy and the industry’s trending technologies to determine whether we are strongly positioned to offer the right learning solutions to meet our clients’ needs.
First we had our internal hackathon in which the whole company participated, discussing learning strategies and those we deemed most important; and secondly, we attended this year’s Learning Technologies exhibition to understand how our thinking compared to the wider industry.
As well as look at current 2019 trends, we’ve also been spending time researching and exploring the learning models of the future. We not only want to offer solutions that meet the needs of today’s learners, but be equally ready to champion strategies of the future in two, three and even five years’ time.
In the last month we’ve partnered with London-based learning research institute, The Learning Ear UK, to identify future learning models. One such model we explored was the MH Model, or Mammalian Hierarchy Model, as a potential area that could drastically alter the L&D landscape.
Conceived by Dr Jeremy Lazprovski, Mammalian Hierarchy Models takes the scientifically proven dominance hierarchy ranking systems in mammals and animals and applies it to an individual’s learning and development status.
As an example, a basic MH Model could include a gerbil, a cat and a pig. At Level 1 is the gerbil – a small creature which requires lots of attention and has very basic needs such as a safe enclosure or cage where they can feel safe and companions to be happy and communicate with. These requirements can fit a new starter’s initial learning needs, as it is easier to learn a new role when working collaboratively and in a good working environment to grow and feel welcome.
Level 2 would then see the learner adopt the cat’s needs. Cats are commonly independent creatures who wish to explore their environments at their own pace, knowing they have a baseline environment to return to. These needs mirror a developed learner’s aims to take a more self-directed hand in their learning, developing at their own pace and selecting needs that suit them. Cats also tend to bring their owners captured gifts which mirrors the desire for more reward and recognition from learners.
Finally, the topmost Level would see a learner adopt a pig’s personality and mind-set. Pigs are extremely intelligent and complex animals (they’re smarter than cats and dogs) which have been known to establish their own routines and are capable of memorising long journeys in search of food. This final tier would be suited for learners at senior-level, who learn new leadership and coaching skills.
In a recent study of 126 participants, the research indicated that 57% of new starters (whether in a new industry, job role or starting at a new company) were much more confident and capable of improving their learning by adopting a specific mammal or animal’s mind-set and behaviours.
Intrigued by this exciting new theory, Ignition has spent the last two weeks looking after a gerbil, or “learning gerbil”, named Ralf.
Staff really took to caring for Ralf, making sure its basic needs were met, it was well fed, got plenty of exercise and its cage was kept clean.
Diego, one of Ignition’s Developers, who took a particular liking to Ralf, said: “I loved looking after the learning gerbil. Giving it lots of attention and care helped me understand that I needed to look after my own learning needs; since caring for Ralf I have decided to complete the company’s health and safety course, and have also started an advanced HTML coding course to improve my skills.”
What’s great about MH Model is that it can be personalised with different animals based on what may be suitable to the company’s culture.
There’s a lot more to explore in this field, but it’s something that could really take off in 3-4 years.
Have you thought about adopting future learning models? What Mammalian Hierarchy Model would you have?
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Ignition is an award-winning independent, full service provider of blended learning, training and marketing. We work in partnership with many of the world’s biggest brands, actively helping to improve knowledge, behaviours and performance. For further information about Ignition’s work please email [email protected] or call +44 (0) 1279 201100.