Canva made all staff down tools to spend a week learning AI

Description

I was asked to speak on the value of intensive mode teaching in the workplace to learn about artificial intelligence (AI).

"The intensive week-long upskill program is gaining popularity with businesses trying to tackle a collective feeling of being overwhelmed and the breakneck pace of AI change.

"Dr Marilyn Mitchell is an assistant professor at Bond University and has written about the use of intensive teaching techniques for adult education. She also worked at IBM in the 1980s and ’90s, where she says the company held week-long intensives twice a year.

Regular sessions

“They were very good at it; this method works very well in the workplace,” she said – with some caveats.

"Mitchell said it was important to do a “needs analysis” to ascertain where your people are and what skills gaps to focus on before you set about designing the week.

"She emphasised that while an intensive week was a great way to kick-start a learning journey, or rapidly upskill a primed workforce, real learning still happens over time so it was crucial to reinforce that week with repeated and regular sessions in the following days, weeks and months.

“Managers will need to be trained, too, so they can reinforce the new training when people come back into the office,” Mitchell said.

Subject

Use of intensive mode teaching at work to learn about artificial intelligence (AI).