In the midst of the pandemic, remote work was essential to maintaining day-to-day operations. Post-COVID, there are fewer travel and work restrictions preventing businesses from resuming operations as usual. Though most organizations are now able to transition back, many have chosen fully remote or hybrid operations—not just for the day-to-day work, but also for training workshops.
Virtual or hybrid training can often be just as effective as in-person sessions when the trainers have been trained for virtual delivery and the learning has been designed for a virtual medium. The trainer’s virtual training skills are often the difference between an effective learning experience and one that was a waste of the learner’s time. Here’s why:
The Challenges of Virtual Learning
Communication is one of the most important aspects of learning new skills, retaining information, and aligning expectations. The way we communicate in person is different from the way we communicate virtually.
During in-person sessions, it’s easier to read non-verbal cues, open the floor for discussion, and ask questions. Presenters can also deliver information without interruption or technological error. In a virtual setting, it’s not always clear who has the floor. Open dialogue can easily become disorganized and confusing. When there are communication barriers, it’s more difficult for presenters to align their expectations with learners who feel they are unable to ask questions when necessary. In addition, complex concepts or information is challenging to deliver when the trainer can’t read the learner’s body language to gauge understanding. Finally, technology systems can crash, and calls can drop.
Why Virtual Learning?
When trained properly, virtual trainers can overcome these potential barriers and provide learners a quality learning experience. Virtual training enables trainers to develop their presentation and facilitation skills, as well as their ability to coach and manage from a distance. Virtual training allows trainers to master new technology and troubleshoot and enables them to effectively deliver information, assess learners’ progress, and reinforce new skills.
Looking to develop virtual learning programs? Want to transition in-person workshops into virtual resources? The professionals at Romar Learning Solutions can guide you through this process. Contact us for more information.
