Learner Login
For organizations across the globe, low rates of learning retention can be problematic—especially in driver safety training. Did you know that most learners, when exposed to new information just once, will forget more than 90% of that information within 30 days? This is known as the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve. Applying this concept to driver safety training, it’s clear why one-time sessions are often ineffective. When information is presented just once, drivers never get the opportunity to practice or demonstrate their understanding and promptly forget it within a month (or less). This pattern in learning retention (or lack thereof) costs organizations millions of dollars a year in accidents, injuries, and re-training expenses.
To improve learning retention, especially from a safety standpoint, many organizations are rethinking their driver training strategies. Specifically, some are now utilizing interval reinforcement in their safety training.
What is Interval Reinforcement?
Interval reinforcement, also known as the Spacing Effect, is a training practice that focuses on repeating the presentation of new information at recurring intervals to boost retention and enforcement. By delivering training content in small, digestible, and ongoing formats, rather than all at once, drivers are better able to retain and apply training concepts to their jobs.
How Can Interval Reinforcement Improve Driver Safety Training?
Increase Learning Retention
The greatest benefit of interval reinforcement is increased knowledge retention. Rather than forgetting 90% or more of the material presented during a one-time training, drivers are repeatedly exposed to information at different intervals after the initial training event. This helps fill existing gaps in understanding while providing better opportunities to apply what they’ve learned in real-world scenarios.
Reduce Training Costs
When drivers retain information better, organizations can cut down on training costs. Interval reinforcement is a cost-effective approach, and increased retention reduces or even eliminates the need for re-training. From a safety training standpoint, greater retention also saves money by reducing instances of driver injury collisions, and infractions. Overall, interval reinforcement helps organizations maximize their training budgets, potentially yielding returns of $2 to $6 for every dollar spent on safety training.
Boost Driver Retention
When drivers retain safety training content better, they feel more confident in performing their jobs correctly. This reduces collisions, infractions, and unsafe driving incidents and fosters motivation and productivity, which in turn helps retain the organization’s best drivers. This is another way interval reinforcement can save organizations money in the long term.
Create Safer Work Environments
Above all, successful interval reinforcement in driver training leads to safer drivers, fewer incidents and infractions, and reduced fleet management costs. Critical safety information is regularly introduced and reintroduced to drivers, providing frequent opportunities to practice what they’ve learned. This results in better application of key safety concepts and fewer avoidable accidents and infractions.
Components of a Successful Interval Reinforcement Program
For organizations looking to improve learning retention, maximize their training budgets, and create safer drivers on the road, implementing interval reinforcement in existing driver training programs is a great start. However, training managers may not know where to begin or what the key components of a successful program should be.
Personalized Engagement
Personalization and engagement are crucial when creating an interval reinforcement program. Training managers need to understand that no two drivers will acquire knowledge the same way. Offering training options that cater to individual needs is essential. Some drivers may be better motivated by microlearning modules, while gamification may be more engaging for others. When training is engaging rather than feeling like an obligation, drivers are better able to learn, morale is boosted, and safer decisions are made behind the wheel.
Accessible and Measurable
Successful interval reinforcement training should be accessible and measurable. Drivers should be able to access training components anywhere and at any time; mobile-friendly training modules are beneficial as they allow drivers to reference training material in real-time, regardless of location. For safety managers, measuring training results is essential. Many microlearning models allow managers to track individual drivers’ progress through training materials, making it easier to identify who is grasping the information and who may need additional help. Detailed reporting helps safety managers see the return on investment their training dollars are yielding.
Many safety managers and training professionals may find it beneficial to trust a team of experienced professionals to implement microlearning and interval reinforcement programs within their organizations. By doing so, they can ensure the correct steps are taken to streamline and maximize driver safety training based on specific needs, budgets, and outcomes.
