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| Photo by: Taruna Goel |
Efficiency versus effectiveness?
When designing learning programs, what is more important? Efficiency or effectiveness? And why?
The statement that I always go back to is:
"...the
question is not how to make training more efficient but how to make learning
more effective.”
-
Brigitte Jordan, Ph.D.
I agree with Dr. Jordan that the focus should be on making learning more effective rather than solely concentrating on making training or educational programs more efficient. The
statement highlights the importance of prioritizing the quality of learning
outcomes and the overall effectiveness of the learning experience.
There is
no denying that when designing learning programs, both efficiency
and effectiveness are important factors to consider, and their relative
importance depends on the specific context and goals of the program. However, I
am of the view that:
"Effectiveness trumps efficiency."
Let me
explain why.
Efficient Learning
Efficiency
is how well a learning program utilizes resources such as time, effort, and
cost to achieve its objectives. When designing learning programs, we want to
minimize rework/waste and maximize productivity. So, with limited
organizational resources, tight budgets, and time constraints, efficiency
becomes an important goal. Efficiency in training programs often pertains to
optimizing resource utilization, minimizing time investment, or reducing costs.
While efficiency has its merits, only striving for efficiency in learning may neglect the
core purpose of learning, which is to promote deep understanding, application
of knowledge, and meaningful skill development.
For
example, let's say an online training program uses a multiple-choice exam as
the final assessment. The exam grade is automated via the LMS and a high volume
of exams can be processed efficiently. However, an MCQ-based exam can only
assess a certain type of knowledge and may not be the most effective assessment
of deeper knowledge and the participant's ability to apply the knowledge in a
real-world context. That goal would need the use of more authentic assessment methods beyond
just the MCQ exam.
Effective Learning
Effectiveness
refers to the ability of a learning program to achieve its intended learning
outcomes to produce the desired results. In that sense, an effective program
focuses on the quality of learning and on the application of that learning to
impact performance. The primary goal of any learning intervention is to impact
performance through skill development and meaningful learning. And these skills
need to be applied in real-world contexts. So, essentially the goal is to
enable learners to transfer what they have learned to their work or daily
lives. An effective program does that by keeping learners engaged, motivated,
and participative.
Generally speaking, I advocate for prioritizing effectiveness over efficiency, especially when the quality of learning outcomes and the long-term impact on learners are the key measures of success. By shifting the focus to making learning more effective, educators and instructional designers can explore various strategies and approaches to enhance the quality and impact of the learning experience. This includes designing engaging and interactive activities, promoting active participation, providing relevant real-world examples, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and ensuring that learners can transfer their knowledge to practical situations.
Needless to say, in an organizational context, we often need to strike a balance between efficiency and effectiveness. For example, let's say after participating in a learning program, employees are able to apply the knowledge to real-world tasks and show some improvement in performance. However, the training took exorbitant amounts of time and resources to design/deliver. If this is the case, the sustained use of the training can't be justified.
Ultimately, the best approach is to aim for an efficient program that optimizes resource utilization while ensuring that the learning experience is effective, engaging, and meaningful for the learners.
