How virtual learning can be just as effective as classroom learning

We have provided virtual learning for many of our clients for some time now, but for some it is a completely new concept and therefore some are a little apprehensive or overwhelmed by the solution.

Evidently, the current pandemic requires interaction, collaboration and education virtually as we all need to socially distance ourselves. Many organisations, with our help, are therefore now moving classroom training and development programmes to online. There is a raft of technology out there that can enable you to connect and develop your teams such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Adobe Connect. But is it as effective as classroom face to face learning? Well, yes, it is! Based on the virtual programmes we have delivered, the feedback from our clients and delegates have been extremely positive. Here are just some of technical and overall benefits:

Technical capabilities:

1. Video: Seems obvious, but being able to see all the delegates, and they can see the facilitators and their counterparts, once you get over the initial introduction of the virtual world, you soon get absorbed it in and feel you are in the room with them.
2. Sound: Likewise, sound gives the same feeling of be present. Gone are the days of bad connections and Dalek sounding voices as we now all have super-fast broadband. As a facilitator, you can also control who you hear from, by muting others microphones centrally.
3. Share presentations/videos: As you would in a live classroom, the technology enables you to showcase your slides or videos, at your pace. You control the presentation.
4. White Boarding: Many of the platforms enable you to have interactive white boards. The facilitator or delegates can draw or write on virtual white boards to aid in engagement and interaction.
5. Chat Rooms: Many platforms enable you to set up chat rooms for the session; here delegates can type in any questions or thoughts, which you can either address in the session, or ‘car park’ for later.
6. Breakout Rooms: Adobe Connect for one, allows you to split your delegates into groups and work together to different exercises before re-joining the main room to share their outputs. Adobe allows lead facilitators to move ‘between rooms’ to check in on progress.
7. Performance Trackers: Adobe also gives you an engagement monitor. You can see which delegates are engaged or indeed are looking at something else on their laptop rather than your slides. You can then call them out with a question, to draw them back into the learning.
8. Recording: All sessions can be recorded, and reviewed at a later date, or re-used as a resource for others to learn from.
9. Downloading: Delegates can also download relevant files from the platform ‘in the moment’ so they have all the resources they need.

Overall benefits:

1. Accessible: Anyone with a laptop/tablet and a Wi-Fi connection can access the learning. Many of the platforms do not you require to sign up or pay a joining fee. The cost is with the host.
2. Affordable: Virtual learning means no travel costs, room hire, food and beverage costs.
3. Convenient: Some learning resources you can study at your own convenience which makes this type of learning preferable for those with young families, those with full time jobs and those who have other responsibilities that require input at specific times or places.
4. Necessary: With the current climate, this is a great way to continue to engage with your people, ensure they are managing their time effectively and growing their knowledge and therefore the business.

If you would like to move some of your development programmes to virtual, or indeed want to create some from scratch, please get in touch at help@pureblueocean.com