As our organizations expand, we will rarely create a training program that will only have one delivery run in one location.

The very nature of multinational corporations demand global learning initiatives. Even businesses classified as “small” now include dispersed team members (ours does – InSync’s 70 practitioners live and work on almost every continent).

Problematically, many stakeholders believe that rolling out global training just means “deliver existing content to every cohort.”

This weekend, I purchased something new at a local farmers market: delicata squash.

It came highly recommended as an easy winter squash to prepare, with a nice light taste.

As I was getting ready to cook it, I had a couple of quick questions. At what temperature should it bake, and for how long?

The InSync Training team has designed, delivered, produced, and managed live online training events for over 20 years. It’s hard to believe that organizations have had the virtual classroom as a learning environment option for over two decades.

Change underlies this now-commonplace technology. Virtual classrooms from the past look very little like the reality of today, which indicates a radically different future.

So what can we learn from the evolution of the virtual classroom?

When should we record live virtual classroom sessions, and how can we design quality, engaging recordings for on-demand audiences? 

I’ve never been fond of recording all virtual classes and making them available on demand. I’ve always felt that devalues live virtual instruction. After all, if there is no difference in the learner experience for someone to attend a live program versus a recording, then why deliver any live content?

Nevertheless, whether it’s an information-dense webinar or a hands-on, collaborative virtual lesson, most organizations have thousands of hours of recorded sessions in their training libraries.

The modern classroom brings with it many tricks.

Technology failures, webinars-that-could’ve-been-a-job-aid, and lecture-heavy sessions with few opportunities to practice new skills can plague blends.

But, in spite of all the possible horrors, blended training can still treat learners to meaningful professional development.

Recently, we explored the theory behind how facilitators can quantify and qualify learner engagement in the virtual classroom. A theoretical foundation provides a jumping off point for practical application.

Our team relies on a number of tried-and-true facilitation methods to connect with live online learners more deeply and more meaningfully. For virtual facilitators, effectively “reading their audience” ensures learning actually happens.

These three techniques allow you, the facilitator, to move beyond basic presentation skills and towards more effective instruction that encourages learners to synthesize ideas and apply what they’ve learned in the protective classroom environment.

Virtually There session recap

Recently, a number of high-profile and previously well-respected organizations have come under fire for seemingly tone-deaf corporate action. Starbucks, Gucci, and Sephora all had well publicized racial and gender-equality missteps.

These organizations could have avoided these costly PR stumbles with the right Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) training approach. During their recent Virtually There session, experts Daila Boufford and Vani Narayana shared how a thoughtful D&I strategy can not only create more welcoming teams, but also evolve corporate culture.

More organizations than ever have transitioned from traditional face-to-face training to virtual classrooms. And since no training element stands alone, most blends include live online components of some kind.

But, even as technology becomes more ubiquitous in corporate learning, decision makers and practitioners have questions about its efficacy.

My team compiled the questions they most commonly hear in their day-to-day work. When I reviewed them, I recognized that the answers speak to core best practices and the value platforms like Zoom, WebEx, and Adobe Connect contribute to enterprise training.

Good modern learning facilitators possess virtual classroom literacy, are technically savvy, and practice good time management skills.

All three of these characteristics contribute to a solid foundational skillset.

But taking your competencies from good to great involves an advanced approach to learner engagement, platform management, and content delivery.

Happy Virtual Classroom Producer Day! Our annual celebration honors those working behind the scenes to ensure effective, efficient, and engaging live online learning events.

We’ve long sung the praises of producers – they offer technical support to learners, launch breakout rooms and other collaborative activities, keep training on track and on time, and act as back-up facilitators when necessary. And while technologies continue to change and requirements evolve, the role of a producer remains fundamentally the same.