More and more firms are migrating to a virtual training environment in the employee training and leadership development industry.
Virtual training is training that is conducted online, either on-demand or with the assistance of an instructor.
Many businesses are switching to virtual training (also known as e-learning) because it is more flexible, less expensive, and when done correctly, more successful than traditional classroom training.
On-Demand vs. Virtual Training Programs
When a virtual training program is on-demand, it means that any employee can start learning at any moment. A live-virtual training program, on the other hand, includes instructor-led content.
In these programs, there are several levels of success. The method and time of delivery are usually critical factors in determining success. Virtual training is a newer concept in the realm of leadership training and coaching that takes what would normally be a challenging classroom experience and delivers it via the internet.
The advantages of virtual training are usually related to accessibility or cost:
- It is less expensive because neither the facilitators nor the participants must travel. There’s no need to rent premises, and there’s no risk of losing production if team members are absent for a lengthy period of time.
- It requires less time than standard training. While the training takes the same length of time as traditional classroom training, instead of a single 1- or 2-day session, virtual training is usually broken down into a number of small modules that may be completed over several weeks, making it more convenient for participants.
- It is more adaptable. Participants can access the learning from anywhere they have an internet connection because the content is supplied through an online platform.
Virtual training programs, on the other hand, are not all made equal.
When it comes to virtual training programs, there is a wide variety of quality. What criteria do you use to determine which programs are the most effective? Here are some features to look for in a virtual training program. To ensure that you or your team is getting the most out of it:
1 – There are Live Facilitators
Avoid virtual training systems that rely on pre-recorded videos to deliver content. These have a low level of engagement, no personalization, and make participants feel as though they’re being “spoken at.”
Having a live facilitator means that participants can ask questions about the information as it is being presented. And that they will always have additional support if a notion is difficult to grasp or if they want to discuss an issue with an expert.
2 – The Training is Interactive
Participants learn best not by merely listening to someone talk about content, but by experiencing and applying that subject themselves, just as they do in a classroom setting.
Finding a virtual training program that engages participants in the dialogue, questions, brainstorming, quizzes, surveys, Q&As, and any other way for them to share their voice and engage results in a far more successful learning environment.
3 – Information is Presented Using Multiple Mediums
Multiple studies show that the more pathways you utilize to record knowledge, the better your memory of that information in a relevant circumstance will be.
To teach new information, a good virtual training program will comprise not only an engaging live, interactive virtual classroom, but also assets such as an interactive workbook, storytelling films, real situation audio clips, coaching calls, and so on.
4 – It Speaks to Each Different Communication Pattern
Everyone learns in their own unique way. The most significant information is bullet-pointed for dominant communication patterns. Expressives and Amiables enjoy applying the information to real people and figuring out how it affects them. Analytical communication styles, on the other hand, prefer detailed information.
For an environment in which each participant learns well, an effective virtual training program will use a variety of teaching strategies that address each of these communication patterns.
5 – It is Coach-Supported
This is crucial if you’re seeking for a training program that will have a long-term business impact.
Each participant in a coach-supported training program is partnered with an experienced coach who takes the program’s curriculum. And helps the participant immediately apply it to their own work environment.
Most coaches will also construct a long-term action or development plan with the participant, creating accountability for the application of new abilities. And most coaches will customize the information for each participant, making it immediately more understandable and applicable.
6 – There’s a Follow-Up Program
According to multiple studies, only 20% of the impact of training comes from acquiring the material; the other 80% comes from reinforcing the information. How the material is reinforced once it is taught as one of the most essential elements of a good training program. This is why we believe that an e-training program should include multiple media and coach help. It also suggests that you should look for a program that includes follow-up as part of their platform, such as:
- Supervisory involvement in long-term growth plans for simple but effective accountability
- Discussion and troubleshooting groups on social media
- Emails of follow-up
- Exercises to reinforce what you’ve learned
