Why did Cigna move to an open online learning model?

Cigna shifted its approach because its previous training courses were expensive, outdated, and had low usage and poor ratings from employees.

What is open online learning in a corporate context?

It is a strategy that replaces static internal courses with a curated collection of dynamic, relevant, web-based resources such as articles, videos, and MOOCs.

How did Cigna's new learning strategy emulate learning at home?

The strategy was based on how employees use search engines, YouTube for skills, and MOOCs like Coursera and edX for career-oriented development in their personal lives.

How many resources does Cigna offer through its new learning program?

Cigna curated a group of over 900 free courses, articles, and videos accessible via its LMS, and provides links to thousands of other courses through 19 additional providers.

Corporate MOOCs & Open Online Learning Strategy

This article is a summary of a presentation by Eric Kaulfuss, Learning Manager at Cigna, on the company's adoption of open online learning.

The Challenge with Traditional Corporate Training

Cigna's leadership analyzed the usage and ratings of their skills-based learning and found them to be poor. The existing model relied on static, high-cost, and often outdated, presentation-driven courses. This led the learning and development team to seek a more effective and engaging alternative.

A User-Centric Approach to Employee Education

To find a solution, the team took a user-experience-based approach, asking a fundamental question: "How do our employees learn outside of Cigna, and can we replicate or improve on it?"

The research showed that for personal and professional development, employees often turn to easily accessible digital resources. This includes:

Search engines and YouTube for immediate, skill-based needs.
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), like those from Coursera and edX, for more advanced, career-oriented development.

Implementing Open Online Learning

Based on these insights, Cigna transitioned to a new strategy centered on curated, web-based learning experiences. The goal was to mirror the dynamic and relevant nature of learning outside the corporate environment.

The implementation involved:

Replacing Content: The top 100+ courses by volume, along with entire programs like Project Management, were replaced.
Curating a Digital Library: The company now provides a curated collection of over 900 free courses, articles, and videos that employees can access on-demand through the existing Learning Management System (LMS).
Expanding Resources: Through its "Great Places to Learn JAM group," Cigna offers links to 19 external providers that host thousands of additional free courses.

Future Direction

The new learning model is designed to evolve. Cigna plans to work directly with employees to help identify new materials and assist in the content curation process, ensuring the resources remain relevant and valuable.

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MOOC’s and Open Online Learning