Efficiency versus Effectiveness of Learning

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.