I was talking to a client today who was asking me about my opinion on the efficacy of virtual training as compared to face to face. My initial comment was that at best virtual training is about half as good as face to face. And that’s only if it is very good virtual training.

I believe there are a number of mistakes that organisations make when it comes to virtual training:

1. It’s a financial decision rather than a strategic learning solution.
2. There’s an attempt to replicate what happens physically, virtually.
3. Powerpoint is still the primary visual communication method.
4. It is a primary delivery mode rather than part of a blended approach.

If you are considering incorporating virtual training as part of your learning strategy there are number of factors to consider to make it viable. AND, these are neither simple, or inexpensive. Getting virtual training RIGHT requires:

• • An engaged community - people who understand the medium and are ready, willing and able to learn using it.
  • Skilled Facilitators - they need to be trained fully in the difference between physical and virtual.
  • Relevant content - as always people will only show up if you are delivering things that are of interest to them.
  • Practical Platforms - virtual training doesn’t just mean instructor or facilitator led. What other supporting platforms (many of which are available for free on the internet) do your learners have access to.

This means we have to retrain our teachers and learners to have the right MINDSET when approaching virtual training.  Our SME’s and teachers need to have the right CAPABILITY to be able to deliver relevant content in a way that works in virtual training. Finding the right TECHNOLOGY that supports the content we are delivering and making it easy to access for learners is important for virtual training. Integrating the virtual training into an existing learning ENVIRONMENT is the key to utilisation and engagement.