With the online training increasingly becoming mainstream, we hear the "buzz words" getting thrown around all the time. The two that we hear the most these days are "interactive" and "gamification".
We don't blame you if you roll your eyes: Does "interactive" training just mean training that'll cost me an arm and a leg? And what is it anyway? What does this content even look like? Well we wanted to write to give you some answers:
Is it expensive? No - it doesn't have to be! Interactive training doesn't have to be prohibitively expensive. In fact, in many cases we're willing to bet it is more affordable than traditional training materials.
We don't blame you if you roll your eyes: Does "interactive" training just mean training that'll cost me an arm and a leg? And what is it anyway? What does this content even look like? Well we wanted to write to give you some answers:
Is it expensive? No - it doesn't have to be! Interactive training doesn't have to be prohibitively expensive. In fact, in many cases we're willing to bet it is more affordable than traditional training materials.
Okay, but what is it? Interactive content can take many different forms. In the rest of this blog we'll talk about a few different ways you can utilize interactive technology in your training: 1) Knowledge checks, 2) Active learning, and 3) Simulators.
Knowledge checks: Quiz to learn, not to test
A common misconception is that quizzes and tests are just used to evaluate knowledge. Sure, that's what they are most often used for, but if used thoughtfully, quizzes can significantly improve knowledge retention, and frankly, make training programs more fun.
Let's use the interactive knowledge check below as an example. I could sit here and lecture you on what certain downhole cards look like. If you're new in the field, you probably won't retain most of what I said. But if you took a quick drag and drop quiz after the lecture, research shows that your knowledge retention may improve by up to 6 times.
Try it! - drag and drop the downhole cards
Active learning: Reinforce difficult content
How many times have you zoned out going through training on a computer? This happens to us all the time when we are passive -- whether we are in training, reading a book, in a Zoom meeting, or watching soccer (sorry soccer fans).
The problem is, we don't learn when we're zoned out (groundbreaking insight, I know). So how do we break the monotony? Well it's much harder to be zoned out when you're actively doing something.
Especially when it comes to complicated topics, it is important to break up passive lessons with active content. For example, our Wellsite LMS platform supplements videos, diagrams, and text with the interactive lesson below to review the plunger lift operating cycle. Not only does the interaction with the screen break up the monotony, but your brain can better absorb the passive knowledge you've gathered when it can associate that knowledge with a physical action.
Simulators: No longer an expensive pipe dream
Simulators always sound great in theory. Who doesn't like the idea of being able to practice for a real-life situation from the comfort of your computer or phone?
The problem is that in the past, simulators have been either 1) extremely expensive, 2) too complicated for anyone to use, or 3) not applicable to your company's needs.
But it doesn't have to be this way. Simulators can be cheap, simple, and highly customizable. In this age of "high tech", many simulator providers miss the point. You don't need the 3D visuals (or the budget) of a Michael Bay movie to provide effective scenario-based training to your employees.
We've included one of our sample troubleshooting simulations below. This may not be your company's specific procedure, but it should give you a good idea of how simulators can work at your facility. Please feel free to share your score you get on our LinkedIn page!
The problem is that in the past, simulators have been either 1) extremely expensive, 2) too complicated for anyone to use, or 3) not applicable to your company's needs.
But it doesn't have to be this way. Simulators can be cheap, simple, and highly customizable. In this age of "high tech", many simulator providers miss the point. You don't need the 3D visuals (or the budget) of a Michael Bay movie to provide effective scenario-based training to your employees.
We've included one of our sample troubleshooting simulations below. This may not be your company's specific procedure, but it should give you a good idea of how simulators can work at your facility. Please feel free to share your score you get on our LinkedIn page!
