In today’s world of virtual offices, mobile employees, BYOD culture and telecommuting, virtual classroom training may seem like just another digital communication medium. But is virtual classroom training worth the investment in time, resources and technology? Most importantly, will it work for your particular business in your specific industry? Here is a look at virtual classroom training.
Virtual classroom training results in high retention rates and quick implementation.
Layered, Multi-Sensory Training
Virtual classroom training may incorporate slideshows and video like an in-person presentation, but it may also include screen-sharing and other interactive features. Virtual classroom training has all of the benefits of teleconferences (no travel or waiting for other participants to get started) but without the shortcomings – and the shortcomings of many remote-training platforms are significant.
Accept No Substitutes
If you choose virtual classroom training, don’t let yourself be talked into anything less. As discussed in the article “A Virtual Reality: Fear Not Distance Learning,” business would be wise to avoid dated substitutes. Conference calls, for example, are not a comparable alternative to virtual classroom training. They are one dimensional, and they are not nearly as useful for several reasons.
Conference calls are often disjointed, confusing, and prone to interruptions and technical glitches. In some cases, participants may be distracted or in an environment that isn’t conducive to learning, like driving a car. Background noise can distract and disrupt. If you seek virtual classroom training from a vendor, and that vendor attempts to convince you to use a conference call or any other inferior method, it is time to look for another provider.
The Benefits of Virtual Classroom Training
Virtual classroom training is less expensive than in-person instruction, but the fact that it is cost-efficient doesn’t mean it is less effective. Virtual classrooms are shown to boost retention levels and improve deployment times more dramatically than training that is folded into a physical business meeting.
Tips for a Great Training Session
Live video works well in small groups of no more than five, but only for short sessions. When using live video, keep the presentation under three hours. Don’t get too big for your – or your IT department’s – capabilities. Gamification, for example, is an interesting and promising concept, but one that can come with demanding bandwidth requirements. Stick to whiteboards and chat features instead.
Use virtual classroom training to get personal presentation results at a much lower price.
Virtual classrooms are controlled by subject matter experts or trainers, just like physical presentations. Quality and effectiveness are not sacrificed in exchange for the reduction in price. Virtual classroom training adds layers not possible in basic audio presentations and achieves better results through interactive learning.