7 Ways to Engage Virtual Learners
In today’s remote work environment, virtual training has become increasingly prevalent, allowing individuals to up-skill and learn from the comfort of their homes. However, the effectiveness of virtual training hinges on its ability to captivate and engage learners. To maximise the impact of your virtual training sessions, exploring innovative ways to engage virtual learners is essential. By employing interactive techniques and leveraging the full potential of technology, you can create a dynamic and immersive learning experience that drives retention and application of knowledge. Explore effective strategies to engage virtual learners! Transform your training programmes into captivating and fruitful experiences.
Strategies for Engaging Virtual Learners and Enhancing Training Impact
Virtual training is web-based training using cloud-based technology to run live sessions. More people continue working from home, including attending training to up-skill or learn new skills.
With an appropriate approach, virtual training can be just as effective as classroom-based training. Reading a PowerPoint slide word for word is ineffective in any environment. Even more so when learners sit at a desk by themselves and watch a screen for an hour or even a full day.
Engage virtual learners by:
- Understanding the training objectives. What do learners need to be able to do at the completion of the training?
- Read the content and consider how to deliver it to meet training objectives. For example, should learners read a PDF to themselves or invite different people to read a paragraph at a time and then discuss it as a group?
- Encourage questions using the chat function on the platform and invite learners to take themselves off mute and have a conversation.
- Set training expectations, eg participation, staying on track, respect for others, break adherence, etc.
- Use the technology to run role-plays. For example, using Microsoft Teams, create groups of 3 where 2 people can have a mock call, with an observer to take notes and provide feedback.
- Use music to create energy.
- Be authentic, and share your personality.
Adjusting how you share information with learners can increase retention and application of knowledge.
Training was really amazing! So engaging, including the systems!
Feedback from a virtual training participant of a 2 week new starter program which ran 8-4 everyday.
Transforming Your Training Programs with Engaging Virtual Learning
Incorporating those effective ways to engage virtual learners can transform your training programs into captivating and fruitful experiences. Understand the training objectives and deliver content innovatively for a dynamic and immersive learning journey. Encourage participation, utilise technology for role-plays, and create an energising atmosphere with music. Furthermore, stay authentic to enhance the virtual training experience. With virtual training becoming increasingly prevalent, it’s crucial to maximise the impact of your sessions by leveraging interactive techniques and the full potential of technology. Embrace these strategies to enhance learner engagement, drive knowledge retention, and ultimately achieve training success.