The Motivation Engineered in LinkedIn Learning

This project was developed for Prof. Chris Dede's Motivation & Learning class during the Spring of 2022.

LinkedIn Learning has become one of the most used platforms among professionals. LinkedIn was founded in 2002 and launched in 2003 as a professional network targeted at adults in the workforce or looking to enter it. In its early years, it established itself as a platform to look for jobs and for users to connect with peers and colleagues in diverse areas of interest worldwide. LinkedIn has leveraged its platform and numerous users to launch LinkedIn Learning, which provides access to online programs on various topics, from technical to managerial skills. In addition, their acquisition of Lynda in 2015 strengthened LinkedIn Learning’s offering and positioning as an online learning provider. LinkedIn Learning currently offers over 16,000 online courses in 7 languages (LinkedIn Corporation, 2022).
With such an extensive offering of online programs and the rapid change in the nature of jobs, one of the many challenges that working adults, and even young learners, face
is determining the skills that will be relevant in five, 10, and even 15 years from today, and thus prioritize their learning and development whether to enter the workforce or continue growing in it. Dondi et al. (2021) have identified 56 foundational skills needed for the future of work and led a study to determine skills with the lowest and highest
proficiency amongst adults. In the study, the authors have determined that there are four groups of skills where the 18,000 individuals surveyed presented the lowest skill levels:
● Software use and development
● Understanding digital systems
● Planning and ways of working
● Communication

For this analysis, I selected two LinkedIn Learning courses that address skills within these groups. The skills prioritized are planning and ways of working; and
understanding digital systems. The courses selected are Cultivating Mental Agility and Introduction to Data Science, respectively.

Skills have become the new currency in the job market, as they have a critical role in helping workers perform in response to the accelerated digital transformation. Programs that support the development of skills relevant to the current status of the job market and that meet the needs of adult learners, such as flexibility and applicability, can help reduce the skills gap and improve personal and professional performance.