Now that we have covered how to use quizzes and assessments to test knowledge, it is time to look beyond black-and-white answers.
In this article, we shift our focus to active application and social learning. We’ll explore how to guide your audience from theory to real-world execution, share their unique insights, and learn from one another’s experiences.
Let's dive in!
Driving Active Application (The "Doing")
When we transition from testing memory to actually building skills, we have to change the environment. Active application is all about pushing the learner away from passive consumption and getting them to think critically and try things out for themselves.
Instead of asking your learners, "Do you recognize this concept?", you are asking, "Can you actually do this?"
"You can’t just skim the book to learn how to swim, Gary—at some point, you actually have to do a deep dive!"
Let’s look at the two primary features designed to bring this open-ended application to life.
1. Prompting Perspective: The Q&A Action
If MCQs are for testing facts, the Q&A action is for testing deep thinking. This tool replaces standard response options with a blank text box, prompting learners to formulate, articulate, and type out their own unique thoughts.
Great ways to use the Q&A Action:
- 🎯 Application Prompts
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"Think about a past customer service challenge you faced. How would you handle it differently today using our new framework?"
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"Think about a past customer service challenge you faced. How would you handle it differently today using our new framework?"
- 💡 Immediate Action Planning
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"List three specific ways you plan to apply this new time management technique to your schedule this week."
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"List three specific ways you plan to apply this new time management technique to your schedule this week."
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🤔 Reflections
- "What was your biggest takeaway from this module?"
💡 Pro-Tip: Avoid asking "Yes/No" questions in a Q&A action. If you ask, "Do you think this is a good strategy?", learners will type "Yes" and proceed. Always start your prompts with How, Why, or What to trigger a thoughtful, application-focused response.
2. Real-World Proof: The Take a Photo/Video Action
Want to know if your learners can actually execute what you just taught them? Ask for visual proof!
The Take a Photo/Video action is one of the most powerful tools in the Gnowbe arsenal because it bridges the gap between digital theory and physical reality. It prompts learners to showcase how they apply these concepts in the real world.
Great ways to use media uploads:
- 🎬 Roleplay (Video): Just taught a new sales pitch framework or de-escalation technique? Ask learners to record a quick 30-second video of themselves practicing it.
- 📸 Proof of Application (Photo): Teaching retail merchandising standards or safety protocols? Have learners physically arrange a display or inspect a station, then submit a photo of their finished work.
- 🧊 Icebreakers (Photo): Kickstart your program with a fun icebreaker by having learners upload selfies to introduce themselves to their learning community!
Driving Social Learning (The "Sharing")
Now, you might be thinking: “Great! My learners are typing out their plans and uploading photos of their work. Job done, right?” Not quite!
If those brilliant insights and photos just sit in a private database for only an administrator to see, we run into a massive roadblock in the learning journey! 🚧
Why Social Learning?
Imagine attending a fantastic workshop but being placed in a soundproof glass box—you can hear the instructor, but you can’t talk to your peers, ask questions, or learn from their experiences.
That sounds isolating, right? Yet, this is exactly how most digital training feels! 😭
These digital silos completely fight against human nature. Humans are inherently social creatures who learn best through storytelling, peer collaboration, and shared experiences! By bringing these vital social elements into your Gnowbe program, you:
🧠 Deepen understanding: By watching, listening, and working with others, learners expose themselves to new viewpoints and test their own ideas—helping them process and retain information far more clearly.
🤝 Build community: When learners share their journey with others, it breaks the isolation of digital screens, driving higher engagement and completion rates.
🔓 Unlock hidden knowledge: Your learners bring an incredible wealth of real-world experience to the table. Social learning enables your audience to become active co-creators of the course material!
"The tablets never stood a chance, Brenda. They prefer listening to Iggy explain how he handled that mammoth task at work the other day."
The Heart of the Community: The Group Board
So, where do all of these amazing typed responses, videos, and photos go? They go straight to the Group Board!
The Group Board is Gnowbe’s built-in social feed. When answering a Q&A or uploading media, learners can easily choose to post their response to the board, turning individual insights into a shared learning experience. Suddenly, individual exercises become a collaborative learning feed!
This is where the true peer-to-peer magic happens:
- ✨ Inspiration: If a learner is stuck on a difficult prompt, they can scroll through the Group Board to see how their colleagues successfully tackled the challenge.
- ❤️ Organic Interaction: Learners can "like" and reply to each other's posts, starting micro-conversations and collaborative problem-solving right inside the app.
- 🙌 Real-Time Validation: As a Curator or manager, you can jump onto the board to leave encouraging comments, making learners feel seen, valued, and motivated.
🎁 Bonus Guide: Discover 4 practical tips to spark user interaction and drive vibrant group sharing!
By designing Q&As for targeted insights, using media uploads for proof of application, and leveraging the Group Board for social learning, you transform a one-way training module into a vibrant, collaborative learning community!
👉 11: Designing for Behavior Change