Get Ready for Virtual Training

As we all adapt to the challenges of COVID-19, we’re eager to assist organizations around the world implement and facilitate virtual training.

We’ve seen dozens of organizations expand their virtual training programs. Others, new to the virtual setting, are onboarding our solutions now.

Virtual training is very useful for many reasons. A few are obvious:

• Virtual training is cheaper than in-person when your teams are dispersed around the globe.
• Virtual training supports remote workers and those joining from remote locations.
• Virtual training doesn’t require facility space.
• Onboarding training can be run more efficiently and affordably.
• Global teams can be trained simultaneously.
• Virtual Training reduces the carbon footprint of a company.
• Has been seen to improve the quality and consistency of training.

The eLearning Guild found that 88% of trainers believe virtual training can be as good if not better than traditional training in the classroom setting.

While the benefits are clear, making the transition to virtual training can feel daunting. Even experienced trainers will face uncertainties.

Here, we want to share resources available to you – FOR FREE – that offer instruction and guidance for getting virtual classroom training up and running.

The Move Online

Moving training into the virtual settings doesn’t have to be hard. But it does require you to consider several important factors.

Here are some of the common challenges we’ve seen our customers experience:

• Content has not been adjusted as teams move training into the virtual classroom
• Faculty or learners are not comfortable enough with the virtual classroom environment
• Learners see the reason for moving into the virtual classroom as cost-cutting
• Learners are multi-tasking because content or delivery is not engaging

These hurdles can be overcome in a number of ways. The most important, though, is to ensure you have the right plan in place.

Our resident expert, David Smith, came up with a 6 step process to prepare for virtual training.

• Define: Ensure the learning goal can be replicated and achieved online.
• Evaluate: Determine if content and practices run in-person can be translated online.
• Create: Map out the learner journey to ensure virtual training is added optimally.
• Re-Purpose: Understand the platform and leverage tools in the medium.
• Engage: Determine how to engage learners in the virtual setting most effectively.
• Execute: After you’ve taken the previous 5 steps, execution hinges on delivering, assessing, and improving.

To get a more in-depth look at these 6 steps, consider downloading our FREE eBook, “Move Your Training Online in 6 Steps.”

Preparing to Facilitate

Half of the battle of virtual training is getting your internal team prepared. Inherently, in-person training makes it easier to gauge audience interest and attention. How effective will your trainers be if they are uncertain how to do so in the virtual setting?

Once you’re ready to commit to virtual training, getting your team prepped should be a primary goal.

It’s an often-made mistake to assume platform training alone will prepare folks to deliver virtually. This type of training IS important. But virtual training requires people develop the right mindset to accompany their toolset. (That’s why we offer a training program to help people develop the right mindset. It’s called Virtual Classroom Essentials.)

The key is to plan, prepare, and practice. Here are 8 tips that can get you started:

• Have a warm-up activity planned
• Make the session about learners
• Don’t lecture – engage!
• Focus on what engages audiences
• Utilize a producer so you can focus on learning
• Leverage the toolset within the platform
• Keep track of interactions
• Design for interaction & engagement

For more ideas, download our free eBook, “Turning Classroom Trainers into Online Facilitators.” We cover three ways to drive interactions; how to best “Plan, Prepare, & Practice;” and general reminders about what factors impact audience engagement.

Making Virtual Training Highly Effective

As we noted above, many trainers believe virtual training can be as effective as face-to-face. It’s all about getting the interactions right.

Virtual classrooms offer plenty of tools for driving interactions. It’s on trainers to make the most of these tools to drive engagement. There are three types of interactions we should always consider:

• Between the instructors & learners
• Between learners
• Between learners & the platform

Get your virtual training ready to take over for in-person with our most loved eBook, “5 Ways to Make Virtual Training as Effective as Face-to-Face.”

Next Steps

Moving to virtual training is within reach! We’re eager to support you along the way.

We have dozens of eBooks & On-Demand Webinars for your consideration. All have helpful ideas coming from industry experts.

If you’d like to learn more about how MeetingOne is serving business continuity needs, check out our resource page.

If you haven’t already, be sure to join our upcoming webinar. It is sure to help you take the necessary steps to prepare for virtual training.

If you’re interested in starting up virtual training but haven’t decided upon a platform, you should consider Adobe Connect virtual classrooms!

The highest-rated virtual classroom by G2, Adobe Connect offers the industry’s best customization & branding opportunities, easy room templatization, and a shared content library.