In May 2023, Access Bank reached out to New Leaf Technologies requesting a demo of our blended learning solution, the aNewSpring Learning Platform. Their goal was to conduct regulatory and compliance training for their employees and improve their L&D function.
By September 2023, we had successfully rolled out the POPIA course — the first of many we would provide for Access Bank with the aNewSpring LXP.
The LMS & LXP Systems for Blended Learning
Two of the primary systems used for blended learning in corporate spaces are Learning Management Systems (LMS) and Learning Experience Platforms (LXP). The primary difference between the two is that an LMS focuses on the content being delivered, while an LXP prioritises how the content is delivered.
Where an LMS will have preloaded content set up in a linear teaching framework, an LXP will use algorithms and AI to tailor a user’s learning journey to their individual pace and learning objectives. An LXP also allows the learners to engage with their peers on the platform, whereas an LMS may only allow one-sided communication from the teacher to the learner.
In a corporate environment, where the learners are full-time employed adults who may not have the time or concentration to commit to studying a prescribed course, an LXP can be a game-changer. aNewSpring uses multiple strategies, including quizzes, memory-retention exercises, and adaptive learner tracking, to bolster online and offline learning.
From Classroom to LXP
Prior to 2023, Access Bank conducted regulatory and compliance training via in-person presentations and the manual completion of attendance registers — essentially a traditional classroom setup.
This teaching model, however, has a number of drawbacks, particularly in a corporate environment. Firstly, it’s a one-size-fits-all approach; it doesn’t take individual learner journeys into account. When fast learners are not stimulated with challenging material, and when slower learners are not given sufficient support, the risk of losing attendance and slowing down course completion rates increases.
For a company like Access Bank, which needed its staff to be fully up to speed with increasingly complex regulatory criteria, the new focus needed to be on providing each course participant with an individualised training program that was interactive, responsive, and motivating. This made it clear to us that the optimal path to take was not that of the linear LMS but rather that of the more dynamic LXP. This was where aNewSpring came in.
Transitioning to aNewSpring
The first step in moving from a traditional learning setup to aNewSpring was to facilitate a seamless transition. We ensured this with an initial training stage, during which we showed Access Bank staff how to use the platform while providing ongoing support. The platform’s user-friendly interface and intuitive design contributed to a smooth learning curve. We started training in August; by the end of the month, all course participants were fully equipped to use aNewSpring.
The aNewSpring product ensured that Access Bank employees undergoing compliance training were able to:
- Learn new information in simple modules: Challenging concepts were broken down into easily digestible sections.
- Build on previous concepts: Complex ideas were built up slowly in order to ensure a scaffolded learning approach.
- Review earlier lessons: New Leaf Technologies’ trademarked MemoTrainer™ tool adds a form of adaptive learning that helps learners store knowledge in their long-term memory faster and more effectively.
- Stay engaged: aNewSpring’s gamified learning system kept learners motivated and gave them fresh goals to aim toward.
Melissa Strauss, Access Bank’s Compliance Manager, says that moving to aNewSpring significantly improved the learning experience and greatly improved Access Bank’s Learning and Development function. Learners found the platform more engaging and interactive than traditional methods, and the flexibility of accessing training materials online at their convenience was a notable advantage.
“Our experience with New Leaf Technologies and aNewSpring has been highly satisfactory. The combination of their advanced learning platform and dedicated support has transformed our training approach and yielded tangible benefits for our organisation. Additionally, peers and competitors have acknowledged our adoption of innovative learning strategies,” said Melissa.
The Return on Training Investment (ROTI) has been huge for Access Bank. Not only did employees return positive feedback on their experience with the initial POPIA course on aNewSpring, but Access Bank has successfully rolled out several more courses since then. Access Bank is seeing attendance and course completion rates that are bigger than they’ve ever been and can stay reassured that employees’ retention of regulatory and compliance knowledge is up to date.
New Leaf Technologies has a range of scalable LXP solutions available for companies of all sizes and industries. If you’d like to see how blended learning systems like aNewSpring can help your company improve its Learning and Development function, contact us today.
