Skip to content
  • HOME
  • LMS
  • BLOG
  • CLIENTS
  • CAREERS

70:20:10 – Read Between the Numbers

admin, January 29, 2018October 12, 2023

Learning is a natural process. Anybody who has been a trainer or a student knows how much the mind can take in at a sitting and how long it retains it.

Everybody’s learning curve and method is different. Yet, research and empirical data show that there is a certain rhythm to the way people imbibe knowledge and skills.

As a trainer, surely you might have come across the 70:20:10 principle. Loosely described, it means:

70% of the learning takes place through real-life, hands-on experiences, and by performing tasks and solving problems.
20% of the learning is imbibed through feedback and from observing and working with other skilled professionals, colleagues, etc.
10% of the learning happens from formal, sit-down training.

The numbers could vary; will vary, in fact. Learning is a very personal experience and the result of one individual will be different from another, within the same organisation, working the same job, getting the same stimulus and even exposed to the same training workshops.

It is not a good idea to rely on 70:20:10 as a sacrosanct formula, but rather, to treat it as a guideline, at best a framework. An organization can structure its training and skills development programme around this knowledge, and use it as a backdrop to accelerate and support its employees’ learning curve.

Re-thinking Learning

However, do not make the mistake of slotting the three types of learning into separate boxes. They are interdependent and together contribute towards holistic learning.

All three types of learning methods, when combined, create a cohesive learning solution. Understand the dynamics of your workplace, study the social and cultural nuances to arrive at the right mix of learning methods that work for your organization.

Just Numbers

There is another school of thought that rejects the 70:20:10 formula, calling it a by-product of an era long gone. And we agree, to some extent.

We can’t stress enough about not relying upon the numbers as sacred. But there is a lot of research that supports the effectiveness of combining on-the-job learning, community learning and formal training. To debate over whether it’s exactly 70:20:10 is a bit futile.

As with any learning, there is a formal and informal element involved. Take children, for example. They learn their subjects in school in a formal setting but learn how to ride a bicycle on the playground, informally.

Your employees function in pretty much the same way.

Bottom line…

70:20:10 is a basic human truth and while the numbers may be flexible, there’s one thing that all trainers seem to agree on – most learning happens at the workplace, on the job and through interactions with colleagues. Formal training must serve as a means to support this on-the-job development.

Just Numbers

There is another school of thought that rejects the 70:20:10 formula, calling it a by-product of an era long gone. And we agree, to some extent.

We can’t stress enough about not relying upon the numbers as sacred. But there is a lot of research that supports the effectiveness of combining on-the-job learning, community learning, and formal training. To debate over whether it’s exactly 70:20:10 is a bit futile.

blended learning Custom eLearning Learner Engagement community learningformal trainingholistic learning

Post navigation

Previous post
Next post

Related Posts

blended learning

Tricking The Mind to Learn: Benefiting From Cognitive Biases

March 28, 2018October 12, 2023

Left to itself, learning is a fairly simple process. We see; we experience; and we learn. Our mind somehow assimilates the information that interests it, and it gets retained. The challenge arises when we look to impart formal, sit-down training. That is when things get tricky. Any training that is…

Read More
Custom eLearning Instructional-Design

Instructional Design Strategies That Help Improve eLearning Engagement

August 20, 2018October 11, 2023

Boring and lifeless PowerPoint presentations or uninspiring videos can make it difficult to retain your employees’ interest in elearning courses. That’s why Instructional Design Strategies are so important.

Read More

Let’s do away with storyboarding…

August 2, 2017October 12, 2023

Not! Imagine starting out on a road trip to a new destination, without a roadmap (or the GPS lady!) – you’ll probably end up regretting starting out at all! It’s the same thing with a storyboard – loves it or hates it, you just can’t do without one. I mean,…

Read More

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • Revolutionizing Compliance Training in BFSI, Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare with Advanced Corporate Learning Solutions
  • How Custom eLearning Solutions Are Revolutionizing Pharmaceutical Workforce Training
  • The Future of Content Development: How AI is Revolutionizing Rapid Authoring Tools
  • Gaming the System: Navigating the World of Game-Based Learning 
  • The Evolution of Custom eLearning: Meeting Modern Corporate Learning Needs

Recent Comments

No comments to show.

Archives

  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • June 2024
  • September 2023
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017

Categories

  • Articulate Rise
  • Articulate Storyline
  • blended learning
  • Cognitive Biases
  • Compliance Training
  • custom e-learning content
  • Custom eLearning
  • eLearning Content Development
  • eLearning Courses
  • eLearning Engagement
  • Future of eLearning
  • Instructional Design
  • Learner Engagement
  • learning management system
  • Mobile Learning
  • Storyboarding
  • Vyond
  • Whiteboard Animation
©2025 | WordPress Theme by SuperbThemes