Step 1: Pick a user-friendly online learning tool
To make EGL work, you need a zero-learning curve online learning tool, like Easygenerator. The key is to offer a minimalist, user-friendly interface that SMEs can use to author learning content without having to go through extensive training first.
Step 2: Set learning goals and identify the right topics for EGL
As an L&D professional, it will be your job to guide the content creation process under an EGL model. Identify the areas where your knowledge base is lacking information or needs brushing up. Talk with employees or use easy online survey tools (like SurveyMonkey) to gauge the topics that your learners want to know more about.
Step 3: Identify and coach your SMEs
Talk with managers and find out which employees are the leading experts on the training topics you want to scale up. Then, schedule some facetime with these SMEs (using Zoom, for example) and discuss your learning goals. Coach them on how to create concise learning content that will add value to your organization’s knowledge base.
Step 4: Let SMEs create and improve content
Introduce your SMEs to the online learning tool you’ve chosen. Let them start creating and publishing content. As an L&D professional, it’s your job to monitor their training output and intervene to improve when necessary. Just make sure that your SMEs feel a sense of ownership over their content. This will encourage them to produce more and more.
Step 5: Evaluate and improve continually
Use a simple content evaluation metric like net promoter score (NPS) to rate the usefulness of the content your SMEs produce. NPS is a good choice. It makes it quick and easy for learners to rate the training content when they’re finished viewing it. This helps you spot what content learners find useful, and improve content that they find less useful.
Turn downtime into training output
With the EGL model, your company can optimize precious working hours as most of its employees work from home. It’s a great option for turning our current crisis into an opportunity for expanding knowledge. Best of all, the benefits of EGL will be just as powerful even after we return to business as usual.