Mobile Learning – The Right Choice to Train the Gen Z

I t is a well-known fact that Millennials are currently the largest generation in the U.S labor force. However, it’s time to turn the spotlight to the Generation Z or Gen Z as it’s 2019 and the oldest members of Gen Z are entering the workforce. Generation Z comprises individuals born between the mid-90s and late 2000s, currently between the age group of 3-23.

Well, you have been training your Gen X’ers and Millennials all this while, but you need to think a step ahead when planning to impart training to your Gen Z employees. I’m pretty sure there are a million questions popping up in your head right now.

• “How are the Gen Z so different from Gen Y?”
• “Why can’t we train them just as we train the Gen Y?”

 Well, here are a few distinguishing characteristics of both generations.

Source: https://www.visioncritical.com/

Now that you are aware of the differences between both the generations, you might have also realized that the Gen Z cannot be trained the same way as Gen Y. It’s time you gear up! We say mobile learning (mlearning) is the right choice to train your Gen Z.

So, why is mobile learning the right choice to train Gen Z? 

Trait 1: Mobile is our best friend

Since mobile learning is all about delivering training in mobile devices, what else could be a perfect way to impart knowledge to the mobile-first workforce?

It is extremely unfair to expect the Zers to take up training within a classroom or on their desktops glued to their chairs. This is not something they would want or expect, and this will lead to an ineffective and mundane training experience to them. 

Trait 2: We prefer to be autonomous

Gone are the days when you needed to spoon-feed your employees with information. According to a survey conducted by LinkedIn, 43% of Gen Z prefers a fully self-directed and independent approach to learning. Take a moment to think about this – the Zers have not seen a day without the Internet. Be it any kind of information they require, all they do is to hop to the Internet and gain instant answers to all they require. This is exactly what they would expect when being trained too.

Self-paced and self-directed learning is the biggest advantage of mobile learning. With mobile learning, one can access information anytime, anywhere as and when they need it. There will be no restrictions as to when or where to take up the training. One can also take up the modules within the course according to their own pace, thus providing them with the privilege to move on to the next topic as and when they are clear with the previous one. Rather than training being forced upon them, delivering training in mobile devices will lead to them taking up the training with their own will. 

Trait 3: Umm, what did you just say?

Preferring to use apps such as Snapchat and Vine, Gen Z lives in a world of constant updates, consuming a whole lot of information quicker. Besides this, it might be an extremely rare sight to see a Gen Z individual without a screen in front of them. Studies have stated that they in fact tend to juggle between 5 screens at once. This shows us that this generation indeed is very less focused.

“The average attention span of a millennial is a whopping 12 seconds—and for Gen Zers, that number is an even more disappointing 8 seconds”, reads an article by Forbes.

Mobile learning and shorter attention spans can go hand in hand. The obvious factor here is that since the centennials prefer mobile devices over anything, they would instantly love being trained on a mobile, thus leading to better outcomes. Besides, training delivered in mobile devices is extremely engaging.

Mobile learning is not about simply porting eLearning modules onto a mobile device but designing for the small screen, putting into artistic use the various interactive elements such as videos, audios, graphics, which leads to making learning extremely immersive. Hence when the time comes to train your Gen Z employees, do not think twice – mobile learning is the right choice!