When your company is ready to take on the world of virtual training, it requires a two-part system to get everyone ready for the process. First, you need to get the business, or the trainers, ready for the virtual training. Then, you need to prepare the employees to take on the virtual environment of training. If you are skeptical about virtual training, download the free ebook, The Skeptic’s Guide to LMS eBook to get ideas on how to prepare and implement your virtual training.

Preparing the Company for Virtual Training

Virtual training preparation

Here’s a three-point system for getting ready for virtually training employees.

1. Trainers have to train.

Training in a virtual environment is different than training face-to-face. Before trainers can teach the topic at hand in a virtual environment, they first have to learn everything there is to know about training virtually. This includes getting to know the system they are using to administer the training. Additionally, trainers have to discover the challenges that virtual training creates and uncover the ways they can overcome them to make the training sessions as effective as possible.

2. Be knowledgeable about the technology.

Trainers need to understand every button, link, tool and function of the training system they are using. Trainers have to focus on the training without allowing the problems technology can introduce to get in their way of delivering the material.

3. Engage participants in a variety of ways.

Engagement is probably the most difficult part of virtual training. It is challenging for trainers to engage audience members when they cannot see their faces or even hear their voices (in some cases). Trainers can continuously engage learners throughout the training by posing questions, encouraging chatting between attendees and by keeping the content fresh and exciting.

Preparing the Employees for Virtual Training

It is also the trainers’ jobs to prepare the employees attending the virtual training sessions. This is also a three-point system to get ready for virtual training.

1. Define the meaning of virtual training.

Employees can be familiar with training, but virtual training is a different experience for them. To prepare employees for virtual training, you have to teach them what virtual training entails so they know what to expect from the experience.

2. Establish objectives and ways to accomplish them.

Make it clear to attendees upfront what you want to accomplish with them during the training. Set an objective for each training point or an overall objective for the training. Design the ways you plan to work with the trainees to accomplish each of these goals.

3. Teach the technology.

Make sure attendees are familiar with the technology prior to the training sessions beginning. Technology should not be a challenge or a barrier to attendees learning the topic they are there to learn. One way to accomplish this is to have technology training sessions on a date and time prior to the actual kickoff of the training. During this training session, trainers can provide an overview of how to use the technology and answer any questions attendees have on using the system.

Virtual training can be a challenge for the trainers and the attendees of the training. Knowing what the challenges are upfront allows you to prepare both the trainers and trainees for virtual training.

Since many organizations are new to using virtual training as a complement or supplement to their traditional training programs, we invite you to take it one step at a time. First, create a free virtual training account and see how this new paradigm will work for you. Feel free to contact eLeaP 877-624-7226 if you have any questions.

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