Going Virtual

Here are a few simple tips to help make the conversion of classroom training to virtual training easier.

Classroom training and synchronous virtual training have several similarities; however, they are two distinct mediums to provide instruction. You can use these tips to smooth the way.

Know your Web-Hosting Software

Become proficient with the software you use to host your virtual training sessions. There are many choices available today to help. Each one offers slightly different services and, more importantly, how you control those services. Just as participants can be engaged or distracted by a facilitator in the classroom, the virtual environment and how it is managed during the virtual training session has the same effect.

Two is Better than One

Use a facilitator and a producer to provide a better virtual training session. I liken it to walking, talking, and chewing gum. The more we try to do at once, the more we degrade each aspect individually. Using both a facilitator and a producer, one can concentrate on the delivery of information to the participants. At the same time, the other can focus on managing the virtual learning environment, including items like monitoring the chat, launching polls, or Q&A’s.

To leverage my “two is better than one” suggestion, have the facilitator and producer cross-trained. This extra level of preparation will ensure that when Murphy comes, you are best prepared for what he may bring.

Structure, Structure, Structure

Be disciplined to find success. In classroom training, a great facilitator can make the driest of subjects exciting. In virtual training, the material and how you deliver it is more important.

Revisit each of your learning objectives. You may need to rethink the best manner to convey that information to your participants in your virtual classroom. Classroom environments can hold training sessions that last the entire day. Virtually, you will want to keep your sessions between 60-90 minutes. Provide the facilitator time cues for each content chunk they deliver to ensure that they stay on track.

Size Does Matter

The classroom size in a virtual classroom is dependent on the web hosting service you choose. Some can host 500 people or more at a time. Just because you can have that many people attend does not mean you should. I have heard it said that the virtual classroom size should mirror the same size as a regular classroom. My view is that smaller is better. I would run three virtual sessions of 6-7 people rather than one 20-person session. There will be a learning curve on what works best for your facilitators, producers, and participants

Practice Makes it Possible

Teaching in a virtual environment is not the same as teaching in a live classroom. Your facilitators will need time to get comfortable in the new environment and to work alongside a producer. Have them runs sessions together without participants. Record the sessions, and then the facilitators and producers can go back through the recordings for what worked and what needed changing. This extra step will also allow you to audit timeframes and make revisions on what can be covered in the timeframe.