Using Technology to Support Different Learning Styles in Training

What if you had a personal learning support system with custom AI helpers guiding you, challenging you, and giving you just the right practice at the right time? At work, I’ve been exploring strategies for using AI agents to deliver more personalized learning. With AI agent-driven experiences, you’re not just interacting with a chatbot, you’re learning through focused, goal-aligned support. Each agent plays a specific role: one might give you practice activities tailored to your skill level, another might offer feedback on what to improve, and another helps keep your learning aligned with your bigger goals. It’s not about dumping content. It’s about giving you the right nudge, the right challenge, or the right reflection at just the right time. That got me thinking… what if I built one just for me? Just for something I love and want to build my skills more on like 3D printing and laser cutting. This way not only do I learn more about AI ecosystems but something I enjoy. So I've added to my personal learning roadmap to start a side project to build an AI agent ecosystem that helps me learn through doing. One agent might quiz me on printer maintenance. Another could challenge me with a new project idea or walk me through troubleshooting a tricky print. Another might generate custom practice activities based on what I’ve struggled with. Because sometimes, the best way to level up is to design your own way there. #InstructionalDesign #GenAI #LearningDesign #eLearning #AIinLearning #CourseDevelopment #DigitalLearning #IDStrategy #EdTech #eLearningDesign #LearningTechnology #InnovationInLearning

On Monday, I had a moment that made me realize that the responsibilities of L&D professionals will continue to evolve rapidly. I recorded a walk-through video using Google Gemini 2.0. It helped me insert a video into Camtasia, which is not too bad for performance support. Today, I asked Gemini to create a five-minute training lesson. Listen to the interactions. (Thanks, Marjan Bradesko, for the inspiration!) What happened next was a glimpse into the future of corporate training. Google Gemini understood my context, provided visual guidance, and adapted its instructions based on my responses. More importantly, it showed me how close we are to AI-powered training systems. Imagine this scenario scaled up: Your employees need to learn a new software platform. Instead of traditional eLearning, they interact with a multimodal AI that: ◾Watches their screen interactions in real-time ◾Listens to their questions and frustrations ◾Generates custom tutorial videos on the fly ◾Provides hands-on practice scenarios ◾Adapts its teaching style based on their learning patterns The core technology exists today: ◾Real-time screen analysis ◾Natural language understanding ◾Dynamic content generation ◾Behavioral pattern recognition ◾Adaptive learning algorithms What's missing? Gemini controls the screen to highlight areas/objects, create practice assets on the fly, automate lesson scheduling, and connect to platforms to coordinate and track these activities. But those barriers are falling fast. This means L&D professionals need to start thinking differently about their roles. We're moving from content creators to human/machine performance analysts. SLOWLY. Our value won't be in creating standard training materials but in designing the frameworks and scenarios that AI will use to generate personalized learning experiences. The implications for corporate training are enormous: ◾Just-in-time learning that works ◾Truly personalized learning paths ◾Real-time skill assessment and adaptation ◾Immediate application of knowledge ◾Continuous performance support that evolves into deeper learning I've spent 30 years in L&D, and I've never been more excited about our field's future. The tools we're seeing today are just the beginning. What do you think? How are you preparing your L&D strategy for this shift, or is it more of the same for 2025? Are you already experimenting with AI in your training programs? Drop a comment below. ---------------------------- Want to learn how to implement this multimodal functionality? I'm holding an AI Intensive program at the end of January. Link in the comments.

Most training content is generic: the same videos, the same slides, the same quizzes. An employee sits through a PowerPoint presentation, then takes a basic test... But they don’t help; very few learn effectively that way. Because they don’t create engagement — They just throw information at the worker. You might say, “Our content is informative and detailed.” 💡But that misses the point: You can’t enhance learning without understanding the learner's unique needs. And if effective training is the goal — You need AI to tailor your training sessions. That’s why modern presentation software with AI features is a game changer: 1️⃣ Learner Profiles: AI analyzes communication preferences + learning history. It’s not just about what they learn, but how they learn best. If you understand this, your training will be more effective. 2️⃣ Content Customization: AI suggests the right type of content. Visual learner? More videos and infographics. Narrative learner? Engaging stories and examples. 3️⃣ Optimal Timing: AI determines when learners are most receptive. Maybe after a series of successful sessions, introduce more challenging content. Use gamification to gauge learning intent and adapt accordingly. We take these variables and tailor around your staff’s individual needs. It requires some initial setup, but it beats generic training by a mile. And I get it — traditional methods are familiar (you’ve used them for decades). But the answer is definitely not one-size-fits-all ➡️ it’s customized and adaptive. AI is changing everything — and learning and development isn’t an exception.