While most of the trends in learning and development technology points to online or virtual learning, we must not forget the benefits of having face-to-face sessions and why they worked so well in the first place. Most of the trends in learning and development technology have been sped up by the need to practice social distancing; and as we approach a time when physical interactions are again viable, we must explore how to mix the rising trends in online learning with the tried and tested approach of the face-to-face approach. Here are a couple of ways personal and physical presence compliments online learning:

1. “Human skills” development

While the workplace of the future certainly drives towards digital and higher cognitive skills (as simple tasks get taken over by artificial intelligence), there is also a rising need for developing social and emotional skills for employees. And as knowledge about these skills can be gleaned from lectures and discussions, fully developing these “human skills” through application can be further nurtured through physical interactions with colleagues.

2. Team development

In relation to developing social and emotional skills, physical and face-to-face interactions also greatly contribute to a team’s development. While many online platforms already provide ways for team members to interact with each other, there is still a big difference when people are present and are able to see each other. A 2013 study found that face-to-face interaction “increased chances of success in a virtual team environment by improving the working relationship of the team members. It was shown to improve communication, trust, and performance of the teams.”

3. Sustained learning

Lastly, with the increasingly overwhelming amount of information available to anyone with access to the internet, there is a need to facilitate and sustain the learning. While learning beyond the schools should be much easier for many of us with access to good technology, it can also be very tiring and confusing with so many resources out there. New learning and development designs should take into consideration the way information is curated and delivered in order to sustain learning. We know that professional development is a continuous process of learning, improving, acquiring new skills to remain relevant in an ever-evolving work environment and business, and so sustained learning will be an important aspect of L&D models. Learning will be best supported by everyday nudges and interactions that are embedded within the business tools and processes.