Learning Excellence

In recent years, we have built up a unique expertise in the field of ‘knowledge worker learning’ in professional organisations. Fundamental scientific research has mapped the learning features of knowledge workers.

A ‘learning competence monitor’ has been developed, providing us with a unique insight into the learning features of knowledge workers enabling us to fine tune their personal learning trajectory. More information about this learning competence questionnaire can be found on: www.lerenbovendemaat.be .

Our research project, ‘Learning Excellence’, is a cooperation with the Antwerp University and is supported by the Flemish authorities via a ‘Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship’ innovation mandate

‘Learning Excellence’ finds its origin in the fact that the learning benefit of classic professional group training activities (in other words: all forms of classic training) is extremely low. Our research project has provided us with findings that allow us to make this benefit “excel” beyond classic standards.
Our research allows us to offer these specific products (among others):

Learning competence monitor	Mapping the personal learning features of knowledge workers, including tips for more efficient learning.	Individual knowledge workers Managing and HR professionals Trainers
Toolbox	Concrete advice about tools and approaches in order to go about learning in a more powerful way. Adapted to the specific learning features determined by means of the learning competence monitor.	Individual knowledge workers Managing and HR professionals Trainers
Didactic placemats	Placemats in well-considered shapes, inspiring learners during their training sessions to apply the learning content in the workplace, to discuss it with colleagues or to communicate it on a wide scale.	Individual knowledge workers Trainers
Trainings and workshops in learning for knowledge workers - several subthemes	How do you become the architect of your own learning trajectory? How do you set up a supportive learning environment that empowers the learning activities of all cooperators? How do you facilitate team learning? How do you facilitate network learning? How do you facilitate information learning?	Individual knowledge workers Managing and HR professionals
Architecture of complex learning environments?	Advise and co-creation	HR professionals

When companies invest in a building or machine, they consider their investment meticulously. When, however, the professionalisation of cooperators is at stake, the money often disappears abundantly down the drain. How many senior managers have been spotted tapping on the keys of their tablets answering their emails at totally unnecessary but “mandatory” leadership trainings?

By mapping the learning features of all participants before a group training, the trainer is able to shape his training according to the learning features of this group, giving it a strong and very beneficial personal touch that increases the motivation as well as the benefit of the training.
The innovative research project ‘Learning Excellence’ aims at improving the learning benefit of formal professionalization activities.

Learning benefit:

The learning benefit is interpreted widely: not only the gain in knowledge and skills (cognitive benefit), also the eagerness of taking part in the professionalization activities and the well-being of the participants (active benefit) are being constantly targeted.

Knowledge workers:

‘Knowledge workers’ are, to our understanding, all cooperators with a “creating” aspect in their job. They enjoy a certain extent of professional freedom which means that they do not have purely executive tasks to fulfil.

These are mainly cooperators who use their (expert) knowledge, insights and skills to:

· gather information,

- analyse information,

· use information for the creation of optimized or new products and services,

· spread information internally as well as externally

in favour of the organisation they are working for (Roy, Falardeau & Pelletier, 2001). Creative thinking and non-routine problem solving are crucial elements of their daily tasks (Reinhardt, Schmidt, Sloep & Drachsler, 2011). Knowledge workers are self-motivated to fulfil these tasks with a distinguished preference of steering their learning process themselves. (Drücker, 1999).

This definition clearly shows that we do not define knowledge workers by their highest degree or by their function in the organisation. We define them by their behaviour. Consequently, the word ’knowledge worker’ is no “definite” definition. It is a” flowing” definition that can change in time. Most Flemish employees are, to a certain extent, knowledge workers.

‘Learning Excellence’ is evolving constantly. New research questions and issues are the basis for further (scientific) research. Do not hesitate to join us in co-creation, starting from your specific research questions concerning the knowledge workers’ learning process.

Curious for more information about ‘Learning Excellence’? Make sure you go to www.lerenbovendemaat.be or conctact us for a personal meeting.