Summary: As it turns out, evaluating a virtual training program is just like evaluating any other instructional program. The challenges lie in what you measure and how you interpret the results. The good news is that current modern virtual classroom platforms give you a variety of tools you can use to assess the effectiveness of your instructional delivery and its effect on learners.

Anyone familiar with ADDIE can tell you that the last step (the “E”) is evaluation. The challenges that people misinterpret what that step means-not seeking to evaluate the learner, but rather the learning program. Effective program evaluation requires careful planning prior to design to identify key data measures and means to collect the data prior to implementation.

Moving great face-to-face learning to the virtual classroom includes a multi-step process. The first step involves making an effort to understand the value of the learning environment. Next, facilitators and instructional designers have to adapt their approach to maximize engagement and effectiveness.

Underlying these positive attitudes, dazzling designs, and enthralling facilitation approaches lies an important question that requires an answer: who are our key players?

Those leading and managing the change to live online learning have to get to the bottom of this question, as well as the consequences of the resulting answer. Think about three main categories: Learners, Facilitators, and Designers.

Everyday thousands of virtual classroom sessions take place – meetings, webinars, comprehensive training programs. In fact, Microsoft Teams set a one-day record for their platform and hosted 2.7 BILLION meeting minutes in a single 24-hour period this year.

This trend does not surprise us - the world, and our classrooms, have changed. And while instructional design and facilitation approaches need updating, learners also have to adapt to this learning environment. Participation, collaboration, interaction, and contribution look different in the virtual classroom.

Moving learning live online requires a reframing of perspective about the value of virtual classroom experiences and the responsibility of facilitators in this environment. While delivery and corporate learning culture absolutely impact the success of virtual training, we cannot overlook the importance of instructional design.

Virtual learning experiences include layers – each element building on and enabled by the one before it. Instructional design provides the foundation on which the entire experience grows and thrives. Without the stability of thoughtful design, the rest of the virtual training program exists precariously and in danger of collapse.

How can you set your organization up for success with virtual learning? Think through key considerations and dissect your content.

I remember January. Traditionally, January and February are the slowest months at InSync Training. Organizations tend to spend these early months finalizing the training plans for the rest of the year. As always, we wondered what this new year would bring.

Then in February, we started hearing about Covid-19. Aka #TheVirus.

March brought uncertainty to the market… Would we still travel to conferences? How long would we need to worry? Are our children safe in school? Organizations were in a reactive mode - rescheduling or canceling events for the next several months. Many of those events were automatically moved online with little thought to long-term redesign.

What do platforms like Webex Training, Zoom, Adobe Connect, and Microsoft Teams have in common? They all include a variety of virtual classroom tools!

When instructional designers incorporate their use into training programs and facilitators leverage them during delivery, tools can increase learner engagement. Learners feel more connected to their fellow participants, to the instructional team, and to the training content. Plus, when the virtual classroom supports active participation and collaboration, concerns about learning in a new environment fade away.

We all know that organizations have had to quickly move face-to-face training to the virtual classroom. This seismic shift extends beyond instructional design, learner logistics, and technical considerations. It impacts facilitators, too.

Chances are you didn’t dream of being a virtual facilitator, but here you are quite by accident. You might’ve recently graduated and landed a sales position that is now training. Or you’re a traditional trainer and now you’re working online. You probably didn’t think “Wow! I can’t wait to work on the computer and not have learners in front of me.”

But here you are in this position and you find yourself in this unexpected training situation and you’re like, “What’s next?”

Picture this: your boss comes to you and says, “Hey! You know that training program you facilitate in the classroom next week? Guess what?! I need you to teach it live online.” You likely react with panic and surprise. Thoughts run through your head, like:

• You’re kidding, right?
• Will people be bored?
• What platform will we use?
• How do I get organized?

Lately, the virtual classroom has become the most popular kid in school. From team meetings to global training programs, platforms like Zoom, Webex Training Center, Adobe Connect, and Microsoft Teams, have enabled businesses to adapt to the unexpected and unfortunate current circumstances.  

But switching learning environments involves technical, instructional design, and delivery considerations. When asked by clients what a new virtual blend involves, we liken it to a stage production. Behind the scenes, experts coordinate and orchestrate acts to wow an audience, all while making the featured talent look good.  

Not only do current global circumstances demand training go digital, but, over the last few years, industry experts have promoted the value of virtual blended learning. This virtual model offers a number of critical advantages, like:

• Adaptability of programs (designers can update individual content pieces as information changes)
• Personalization of learning experiences (based on the needs of specific learner groups, they can engage in certain blends – or segments of programs)
• Application of knowledge (learners can apply new information within the context of work between live sessions)
• Practicality of design (designers can match each learning objective to an authentic treatment, and order the components in a logical progression)

How can you hit the ground running with your digital blend so it effectively achieves its goals, supports learners’ needs, and instills confidence in its efficacy? Start with solid design and purposeful communication.