To be engaged in something means to commit one’s full attention to it. And it’s a powerful word in the workplace lexicon. That’s because when applied to employees, higher levels of customer loyalty, productivity, and profitability inevitably follow. But employee engagement doesn’t exist in isolation. Behind every engaged employee, you’ll usually find an engaged learner.
What does engagement have to do with learning?
Employee engagement and learner engagement are closely linked. When employees are actively involved in workplace learning they’re more likely to be invested in their roles and in their work. They’re more likely to succeed and become top performers. They’re also more likely to have a sense of purpose, growth, and satisfaction. Which, in turn, translates into higher levels of well-being, productivity, morale, and retention in the workplace.
Sounds good, right? But achieving learner engagement isn’t straightforward.
According to The Glossary of Education Reform, learning engagement is «the degree of attention, curiosity, interest, optimism, and passion that learners show when they are learning or being taught, which extends to the level of motivation they have to learn and progress in their education.»
But over recent years, the landscape of learning has evolved. And so has our understanding of learner engagement. With technological advances, including AI-powered learning platforms and hybrid work models, organizations face new opportunities and challenges when it comes to keeping learners fully engaged. Learning engagement is no longer just about motivation—it’s about personalization, adaptability, and creating meaningful, inclusive experiences that resonate with diverse groups of employees.
Disengagement remains a big challenge, particularly in today’s fast-paced, digitally-driven world. Cognitive overload, digital fatigue, and competing priorities in hybrid work environments can pull learners in multiple directions, reducing their ability to focus on meaningful learning. As a result, learners become “lost.” They pass any opportunity to push themselves, always go for the bare minimum, and distance themselves both from the learning experience and their fellow learners.
Engaging disengaged or distracted learners takes effort. So, the key here is prevention.
The good news is that with the right strategies—such as personalized learning paths, microlearning, and leveraging technology like AI and gamification—organizations can prevent disengagement before it sets in. And create vibrant, interactive learning experiences that keep learners focused and interested.
The many facets of learner engagement
In this eBook, we dig deep into learner engagement. We cover the full spectrum, from how it works and why it matters to what’s getting in the way and how to overcome the barriers. Here’s a breakdown of our five key areas of investigation:
The true nature of engagement: Learner engagement is a multilayered process that occurs on a cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and social level. How does each layer work? How do they affect each other?
The importance and benefits of engagement: Deeply engaged learners become highly engaged employees. However, employees who are fully engaged in the learning experience bring an added layer of benefits. What is the role of learner engagement in boosting job performance? How well do engaged learners do in a corporate setting? Discover the different ways engaged learners drive positive change across the workplace.
The barriers preventing engagement: Learner engagement is a force for good, yet it’s seldom achieved. What are the potential barriers to learning engagement? How can they be lifted to prevent disengagement?
Strategies to promote engagement among learners: How can you overcome the obstacles to efficient learning? Which learner engagement techniques actually pay off? How does this translate to a corporate setting? What can AI do to help?
Actionable techniques to increase learner engagement with a learning management system (LMS): Practical strategies to make the most of an LMS for engaging learners online. How can you select the right features based on your training objectives? How do different features apply to both general and corporate learners?
Now, it’s time to engage! Let’s delve into the true essence of learner engagement and learn how to reap the benefits.