A Step-By-Step Guide To Designing A 70-20-10 Plan For Remote Learning
Learning in a remote setting is different compared to traditional office environments. When working from home, you can’t learn new skills just by observing a colleague next to you or casually chatting with your manager. Therefore, remote work requires a more intentional approach to Learning and Development, which is exactly what the 70-20-10 model does. As we’ve already discussed, the 70-20-10 model suggests that 70% of learning happens experientially, 20% through social interactions, and only 10% through formal training. But how do you apply the 70-20-10 model in a remote setting?
The key is building a structured but flexible learning plan that fits your personal goals and the challenges of remote work. Without a clear plan, it’s easy to sign up for the wrong online courses and never finish them or to feel isolated and unable to apply what you learn. Don’t worry, though; we’ll walk you through how to create a step-by-step 70-20-10 remote learning plan and balance all three components of the model to make the most out of it. Whether you’re an employee looking to earn that promotion at work or an organization hoping to foster a stronger learning culture, the steps below will make the process so much easier.
Guiding You Through Your Own 70-20-10 Remote Learning Plan
Step 1: Assess Your Learning Habits
Before creating a 70-20-10 remote learning plan, take a step back and observe your learning habits. Have you ever tried learning something that eventually didn’t stick? Have you signed up for an online course you never finished? Or have you read a lot about a topic but still failed to apply the knowledge? This assessment of your learning habits helps you figure out how you learn best before you invest time and effort in creating a learning plan. Ask yourself how you learn skills best, what learning methods work for you, and if you prefer structured courses, hands-on practice, or social learning. If you’re unsure, you can think about past learning experiences, ask managers for feedback, or take an online assessment to figure out your learning preferences.
Step 2: Set Clear Goals
Without direction, it’s easy to feel lost with the amount of information available or even switch between different courses without making real progress. That’s why you need to define what you want to achieve. First, set the short-term goals that are going to motivate you. Maybe you want to learn a new project management tool within the next few weeks. Long-term goals, on the other hand, take longer to achieve. Where do you see yourself in five years? Do you want to earn a promotion, change careers, or look elsewhere for another position? These goals give you a sense of purpose, making sure your learning efforts actually contribute to your growth. Once you align your personal and professional goals with learning ones, it becomes easier to stay focused and motivated. This is because you’ll know exactly why you’re learning something and how it helps your future.
Step 3: Implement The 70-20-10 Framework
The 70-20-10 remote learning plan is all about finding the right balance between hands-on experience, social learning, and formal training. Most of your learning, about 70%, comes from doing. So, look for real-world projects you can work on, volunteer for new responsibilities, take on side projects, or find creative ways to apply new skills. If your current role doesn’t allow much experimentation, find case studies, try simulations, or even ask colleagues to let you observe them in order to pick up new skills. Next, 20% of your learning should come from social interactions. Thus, find a mentor who can offer guidance, join online communities, do brainstorming sessions with your peers, or start collaborative projects to gain knowledge and learn from other perspectives. Finally, formal learning makes up 10% of the model. Online courses, certifications, and webinars offer valuable knowledge, but they work best when combined with hands-on applications.
Step 4: Create A Realistic Schedule
Finding time to learn in a remote setting can be tricky. Between meetings, deadlines, and personal life, adding a full-on learning program to your schedule can lead to burnout, hence making it ineffective. But the secret to making it work is not to overload yourself; instead, create a realistic schedule that fits into your routine. What you want to do is treat learning like an important task, so block time for it. For example, set time slots, such as 30 minutes in the morning, instead of leaving it for the afternoons when your energy runs low. Similarly, if you’re a night owl, a quiet evening session with a course or book might work best. The key is to keep it consistent. Another thing to remember is milestones. Learning is a process, so break it down into manageable tasks, and don’t forget to celebrate the small wins.
Step 5: Make Adjustments
Being consistent with a 70-20-10 remote learning plan is great in theory but can be hard in practice. This is because the workload can increase, you may lose motivation, or you might forget a module or two. That’s why you need to be flexible with your approach and make adjustments along the way. How are you going to do that? By measuring your success. This way, you’ll know how you’re performing and whether you’re applying what you learn. Ask your managers and peers for feedback, and even check your metrics yourself in your LMS. Now, if your progress isn’t up to par, make adjustments. Maybe you realized that a specific course isn’t for you, or you’re spending too much time on theory and not enough on practice. So, change things until you find what’s working best for you and until you’re completely satisfied with your remote learning plan. And remember, as you evolve, so will your needs. Therefore, check in regularly and don’t hesitate to experiment.
Conclusion
The best way to start building your 70-20-10 remote learning plan is to see how you’re already learning. Are you practicing a lot? Do you learn best from others? Or do you rely mostly on courses? Once you know where you stand, you can start making small changes. However, take it easy with one adjustment at a time. In general, remember to stay consistent, track your progress, and refine your approach. After all, learning is continuous, and if you don’t try different approaches, you’ll stay behind.
