Virtual training programs gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, though normalcy has returned, online tutors have realized their unexploited value.
So, if you are a tutor or coach looking to offer courses online, this article is for you!
We’ll cover virtual training best practices, core elements, and common mistakes to avoid.
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What is Virtual Training?
Virtual training is among the most common types of virtual events.
The term ‘virtual’ means the training takes place in a ‘non-physical’ environment.
Here are the major differences between virtual and traditional training:
- First, virtual training occurs online, while the traditional format requires in-person attendance in a classroom setup.
- Second, virtual training supports asynchronous learning, unavailable in traditional classrooms.
Benefits of Virtual Training
Why offer virtual training programs?
Below are the main advantages of virtual training:
- Global Access: Virtual training lets you attract participants from across the world.
- Convenience: Online classes are easy to schedule or reschedule without inconveniencing you or other students.
- Flexible Programs: You can personalize the experience to individual students for effective learning. Also, students can choose to learn as a group or opt for self-paced attendance.
- Effective Engagement: You can leverage technology, like gamification, interactive simulations, and collaborative tools, to enhance engagement.
- Scalability: You can accommodate more students than anticipated without significant overhead costs.
- Advanced Analytics: You can monitor performance metrics, such as assessment scores, completion scores, attendance rates, and user journeys. You can use the analytics to refine your virtual course for better engagement.
Key Components of Effective Virtual Training
Here are the core elements of an effective virtual training program:
Structured Curriculum
The course should be well structured, outlining the main topics, learning outcomes, and evaluation criteria. Organize the topics into modules and have a logical sequence.
Also, the content should be spread across the learning period so as not to overwhelm students.
Clear Learning Objectives
A virtual training program should have well-defined objectives and KPIs. The objectives should be SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound) for effective performance tracking.
Virtual training programs could include a ‘needs assessment test’ to help learners establish whether their goals align with the learning objectives.
Interactive Learning
A good virtual training program should utilize diverse media, such as videos and infographics, and interactive learning materials, such as simulations and live quizzes, to foster student engagement.
Tutors could also offer downloadable materials like worksheets and guides to facilitate self-paced learning.
Learning Management System
Virtual training programs should run on a Learning Management System (LMS) for effective course management, content delivery, and performance tracking.
Other essential LMS features include scheduling tools, discussion boards, and shared dashboards for group work.
Assessment Mechanism
A well-structured virtual training program should include regular assessments to evaluate learning progress and teaching effectiveness.
Learners can take the tests at the end of each module, followed by a summative assessment when completing the program.
Virtual Training Best Practices
Below are eight proven methods for running a successful virtual training program:
1. Pick the Right Platform
Select a platform with user-friendly features to reduce students’ learning curve when navigating the system. Also, ensure compatibility with different devices and browsers.
Finally, pick a platform that lets you manage the course from a centralized dashboard, including controlling how students access the content.
Need a platform for managing and distributing your online course?
Hello Audio lets you share your online courses as private podcasts, encouraging students to consume the content on the go. Even better, you can learn how to repurpose content, convert past tutorials into private podcasts, and share them as new courses.
Learn how one of our clients, Lisa DeLugo, enhanced her coaching courses with private podcasts using Hello Audio.
Next, schedule an instant demo and learn how to use Hello Audio to grow your virtual training program.
2. Collect Learner’s Feedback
Use surveys and feedback forms to collect feedback from course participants.
For example, you can employ pre- and post-course surveys to gauge whether the training met the learners’ expectations and ways to improve in preparation for the next cohort.
3. Encourage Student Interactions
Include tools like Q&A sessions, quizzes, and live chat features to reinforce learning.
You can also include group discussions and oral presentations to encourage participation.
4. Pre-Session Preparation
Plan your sessions and allocate time for various activities. This helps ensure undisrupted training.
Also, test your devices, LMS platform, and internet connection and seek confirmation that participants can access the session or content using the provided details.
5. Utilize Microlearning
Break the course down into bite-sized modules to make the content digestible. For example, you could organize the content into topics and cover each in a session.
Microlearning also enhances engagement as participants perceive each completed module as a milestone.
6. Leverage Technology
Use AI to personalize the virtual programs to individual participants.
To stimulate engagement, you can also integrate gamification features, such as leaderboards and treasure hunts.
7. Include Breakout Sessions
Provide breakout rooms for networking and social interactions. Breakout sessions also allow students to take a break when they feel saturated or overwhelmed by content.
You can divide participants into groups and assign case studies to enhance peer-to-peer learning.
8. Post-Training Engagement
Share follow-up resources like note summaries and additional reading materials to help reinforce learning outcomes.
Also, encourage participants to keep in contact with you even after completing your virtual training program. This helps build an online community for your brand.
Leverage online community platforms like Hello Audio for effective engagement and moderation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Virtual Training
We have highlighted common mistakes to avoid when offering a virtual training program:
- Accessibility Issues: If your course is inaccessible, you lock out potential participants with visual or hearing disabilities. This can harm your brand’s reputation. We recommend integrating accessibility features like video captions to cater to a larger audience.
- Bloated Courses: Avoid cramming excess content into one session or course. Usually, participants get overwhelmed and attend the courses passively. Instead, cover the most important content and include the remaining topics as suggestions for additional reading.
- Incompatible Platforms: Picking a platform that doesn’t support your course content hurts the participants’ learning experience. Compare different platforms and select the option whose features match your training needs.
- Extended Sessions without Breaks: Skipping breaks leads to fatigue build-up. You might notice reduced engagement as participants become easily distracted or leave the session. Include a short break every hour to allow participants to re-energize.
- Ineffective Presentation or Facilitation Techniques: A monotone delivery makes sessions dull. Deliver the content dynamically, incorporating multimedia content and gamification to make the sessions lively.
How to Measure the Success of Virtual Training Programs
You can assess the effectiveness of virtual training programs with the proven methods given below:
Satisfaction Levels
Use surveys to assess how participants perceive the training, including content relevance, session structure, and delivery method. Evaluating satisfaction levels helps determine whether the session matched learners’ expectations.
You can then use the gathered feedback to refine the program before the next session or enrolment.
Knowledge Assessment
Give pre- and post-training tests to evaluate knowledge and skill level changes after undertaking the program. Alternatively, use formative and summative assessments for a more comprehensive knowledge evaluation.
This can help you understand the specific modules participants excelled at or struggled with to guide future course recommendations.
Engagement Metrics
Engagement metrics measure how participants interact with course materials. They track attendance, assignment completion, missed deadlines, and time spent on specific modules.
High engagement rates mean the course matched participants’ expectations and often correlates with better knowledge assessment scores.
Course Completion Rates
Monitor how many enrolled participants complete the program and meet the learning objectives. A high completion rate means attendees found the course content relevant to their learning goals.
Pro Tip: We also recommend collecting feedback from participants who dropped out to identify whether the reasons relate to the program and ways to mitigate them.
Return on Investment
As the program owner, you can calculate the return on investment (ROI) by comparing the generated revenue against the cost of creating, marketing, and delivering the course.
Companies that organize virtual training workshops for their workers could assess ROI based on various metrics, such as increased productivity, reduced safety incidents, and improved customer satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This section provides answers to common questions we receive about running virtual training programs.
How Can You Integrate Feedback into Future Virtual Training Programs?
There are various ways to integrate feedback into future virtual training programs:
- Update or refine the training content to make the course more relevant to participants.
- Adjust delivery method to enhance learning and engagement.
- Monitor participants’ reactions to the changes and iterate.
Can Virtual Training Replace In-Person Training Sessions Entirely?
Yes, virtual training can entirely replace in-person training sessions. Features like gamification and breakout rooms allow participants to interact like they would during in-person sessions.
What Tools Help Facilitate Virtual Hands-On Training?
Below are various tools you can use to facilitate virtual hands-on training:
- VR/AR: Create interactive and immersive environments for participants. ClassVR and Meta Quest are good examples of this category.
- Gamification Tools: Reinforce learning and keep people engaged. You can use tools like Gametize or Funifier to incorporate gamification.
- Collaboration Tools: Support real-time collaboration and participation in group activities. 360Learning or Docebo are good tools for seamless collaboration.
- Virtual Labs: Provide simulated environments for scientific training. Tools like HPE vLabs or Azure Lab Services can offer seamless virtual labs for your training course.
Conclusion
You now know the proven methods and pitfalls to avoid when running a successful virtual training program.
The highlighted strategies should help you deliver an interactive virtual training experience.
However, if your students have tight schedules and cannot spare more than half an hour at a time, we recommend delivering the training through private podcasts.
The format is convenient, allowing participants to consume the content on the go!
Record the training sessions and use Hello Audio to export the content to platforms like Spotify and Apple.
Ready to launch your next virtual training course? Sign up for our 7-day free trial!
