Virtual Instructor-Led Training (vILT) is synchronous learning i.e. a group of people learning at the same time and in real time so it can be interactive and participative. The key difference is that participants and instructor are not in the same physical location as with traditional classroom training. In today’s global work environment with an escalating amount of employees working remotely, the need for live virtual training programs is steadily increasing. One of the most important first steps is determining what virtual classroom platform will provide the best learning experience for your organization.
When choosing a virtual classroom training platform it is best to understand the features and benefits that each product offers so you can make an informed decision that will best suit your organization’s corporate learning requirements.
The following are examples of common platforms leveraged by our clients:
Adobe Connect is a versatile platform that can provide a complete solution for rapid training and mobile learning, enabling rapid deployment of training accessible from anywhere, anytime, on virtually any device.
There are the following features:
Highlighted feature and how to use it to increase interactivity:
You may be reading the features and nodding your head, but Adobe Connect offers some unique capabilities that if utilized correctly can increase retention rates and provide unique interactivity.
Breakout sessions: This feature allows participants to divide into smaller groups to complete a learning activity. In this group, they can share documents, collaborate, and share a whiteboard. The meeting instructor can move to each breakout session to provide feedback and increase participation (just like in classroom training).
Cisco WebEx Training Center is a hosted online training solution that makes it easy to deliver highly effective, live instruction- to anyone, anywhere.
There are the following features:
Highlighted feature and how to use it to increase interactivity:
Even though many of the virtual classroom platforms have whiteboards, not all are equivalent. Unlike Cisco WebEx Training Center, some platforms do not have participant annotation privileges which can limit interactivity.
Whiteboard: The virtual whiteboard acts just like a conventional whiteboard or flip chart by allowing you to brainstorm and take notes. Participants will see everything you write or draw and, if assigned annotation privileges participants will be able to use the whiteboard as well.
Whiteboard activity example: Have your participants simultaneously write down one word to describe their experience with vILT, or divide the whiteboard into columns to brainstorm how the training will impact the organization.
Microsoft Teams has new innovative features that make it easier than ever to connect with your learners or team members wherever they may be. This product does not have some of the same interactive training features as several of the other platforms, but it provides a quick and easy way to reach out via video, call or IM to your learners, or team members.
There are the following features:
Highlighted feature and how to use it to increase interactivity:
Chat Function: This is a great tool to use for day to day meetings, conversations and connections with your team mates. Check in to see how someone is doing, or if they have finished that project for you.
Zoom is an interactive virtual meeting tool, that many of us have become accustomed with. Video-conferencing is the way of the future as we use it more and more. It allows personal and work calls to be facilitated over an internet connection that supports both audio and video. Zoom is widely popular because it offers users a variety of high quality features – even to free users.
There are the following features:
Highlighted feature and how to use it to increase interactivity:
End to End Encryption and Password Protection: This is a great feature, especially for the security conscious or for those who work with sensitive information such as healthcare or the banking industry.
When conducting a live virtual training course, it is especially important to be organized during each step of the process.
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