Posted by Virtual instructor-led training (VILT) is an ideal method for reaching a large target audience. Most of us may already be familiar with virtual instructor-led training (VILT) sessions, by way of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and industry webinars.
Converting ILT to VILT is more than merely hosting a webinar with a PowerPoint deck. It takes deliberate planning to harness the power of online learning through VILT. By going beyond merely connecting instructors and learners online, virtual training provides great opportunities to harness a more robust training strategy.
In this blog post, we explore how converting ILT to VILT can make training fun, engaging, and effective for learners.
Virtual instructor-led training (VILT) enables scalable training for a geographically dispersed group of learners. This mode of training can help save considerably on expenses incurred, time and effort. Let us look at a list of advantages that VILT provides to organizations and individuals:
Table of Contents
Improved flexibility
VILT makes open enrollment possible. Classes need not be convened at a specific time. Participants can enroll at their convenience. Learners can also learn from anywhere in the world, across devices. This makes VILT easily accessible and scalable to a wide group of learners, irrespective of their learning preferences and styles.
Facilitates an immersive learning experience
VILT allows trainers to leverage the best training modalities available to them. There are several methods to improve learning effectiveness and retention of knowledge. Methods such as microlearning and simulated learning environments can be used to improve the learning experience.
VILT is not cost-intensive
VILT can be delivered directly to the learners on their devices. It does not require a specific location to conduct the training or specialized equipment. Therefore, virtual training can help cut down organizational training costs considerably. For a vast number of learners spread across the globe, VILT can make a world of difference, cost-wise.
Track and measure learning outcomes with ease
VILT content can be often broken down into microlearning nuggets of short modules including quick facts, exercises & assessments. Strategically created microlearning nuggets can help with specific learning outcomes. This makes it easy to track and measure the progress of learners as well as pain points in the training process. Such insights can prove invaluable to training managers to measure the success of their investment.
Best Practices for Converting from ILT to VILT
While there are many ways to conduct VILT sessions, let us explore some key best practices that can be implemented to achieve the desired results from your next virtual training program.
Learning Objectives
The most important facet of any learning program is clearly defined learning goals. This holds just as true in the case of virtual instructor-led training. Defining goals should take precedence when developing a module or an entire course. Well-established learning goals lend structure and direction to the VILT program.
Learner Engagement
An engaged audience will learn better and retain information longer. As such, learner engagement is a vital component for the success of a training program. While transitioning from ILT to VILT, the challenge of learner engagement is perhaps more pronounced. Virtual training also provides several tools and techniques that can be leveraged to promote engagement. Training should go beyond flashing information on screen with a voice-over. While a trainer can gauge audience engagement with visual cues in a classroom environment, it is very easy to not detect whether learners are paying attention in VILT.
While elements of interactive learning lend themselves well to virtual training sessions, online training must contain multimedia content. This can take the form of instructional videos, images, and interactivities that promote engagement. By including a variety of content formats, trainers can increase learner engagement metrics.
Microlearning Modules
Virtual training requires a fundamental overhaul of the structure of a program. Remote learning attention spans are limited and continually declining. It is necessary to add bite-sized modules. Coherent and logical breaks help to learn and retain concepts.
Microlearning modules can be SCORM compliant thereby allowing learning managers and training to track the learner’s progress. As mentioned earlier, microlearning can be a quick assessment embedded with every snippet to identify pain points and offer personalized feedback to the learners.
Repurposed VILT Sessions
VILT provides lots of opportunities to repurpose the content. With VILT, training ceases to be a one-and-done mode of learning. Participants have the content organized into cohesive concept and knowledge maps that can be reviewed and reused as needed.
Gamified Virtual Training
Adding game-based elements to a virtual training program makes learning exciting and interactive. In gamified environments, feedback is instantaneous, helping reinforce learning. Leaderboards, learning paths, and rewards can be used to propel learners towards training objectives.
Instructor-led Training to VILT
To harness the full potential of virtual training when transitioning from ILT to VILT, it’s in your best interest to start afresh and develop a training program that is specifically tailored to a virtual mode of delivery.
Our experts at Origin Learning rapidly transform your in-person training (ILT) into exciting, scalable VILTs. Sign up for a demo here to explore how we can transform your training program.