The Learning Burst training method gives participants the opportunity to learn without having to disrupt their daily workflow.  A Learning Burst is a combination of an 8 to 10-minute audio cast (in a talk show format) and a workbook of supporting material.  At times, simulations and case studies augment the Learning Burst. The workbook material contains further elaboration of the audio topic, a short quiz, and a prompting exercise to get participants to think about how they would apply what they have learned to the business or workplace.  Workbook chapters for each Learning Burst are 3-5 pages in length with each Learning Burst being a self-contained discussion of a particular topic.  Audio segments are in a MP3 format and can be played on any compatible player/device.

A series of Learning Bursts make up a course with usually 10-15 bursts per course.  Think of it this way, each Learning Burst is a mini-course within itself and when you combine the bursts together they make up the equivalent of 1-2 days of training.  I have created three Learning Burst courses.  Samples can be found at The Learning Burst Academy or click on the links below. 

Business Acumen: Your Key to Success

Marketing Mastery: Your Key to Success

Business Innovation: The Art of Creative Thinking

To date, thousands of employees from Fortune 100 companies have been taking these courses as a replacement to or supplement to traditional classroom training.

The two combined (audio and workbook) make up a single Learning Burst.

I believe learning occurs while taking the course but truly becomes part of the learner's new cognitive skill set when it is applied and used.  To that end I use simulation and/or case studies to reinforce the learning.

The Benefits from Learning Bursts

The advantages of using Learning Bursts within corporate training plans/curricula are:

• Mobile - learning can be taken anywhere and not tied to a computer or the Internet.  The 2 components of a Learning Burst are an audio segment (in mp3 format) and a workbook chapter (in a pdf or e-reader format).  Once they download the course materials to their personal device, learners are untethered from the computer and can take training when and where they want to.  Some examples of how students take Learning Bursts: (1) listen to audio each night while doing the dishes then read the workbook on the couch when the children have gone to bed, (2) in the morning while on the treadmill, or (3) listen to audio segment while walking between meetings on a large campus then reading the workbook chapter during the afternoon coffee break.

• Flexible and focused - Learning Bursts are designed as a single topic per burst.  Learning Bursts are designed so that they can be taken in any order - each burst is a standalone "micro" course.  With a single topic the learner focuses in on that one thing to master thus allowing them to narrow their attention and concentrate on that topic.

• No new technology is needed - Learning Bursts use mp3, pdf, and Java files (for simulations).  There are numerous free (open source) software for developing each of these formats.  In terms of delivery, all mobile and computer devices can play/view these formats.  There is no need to invest in a sophisticated Learning Management System. Learning Burst files run on any device and operating system making it easy to distribute and support.

• Cheaper than classroom training - travel, facility costs, food, printing materials, etc. are all eliminated making Learning Bursts an attractive alternative.