Virtually There Session Recap

For the last 20 years, and especially over the past two months, our team has repeated a singular mantra: “one does not simply move a course online.”

But given the state of the world today, it feels imperative that we quickly adapt learning to the virtual learning environment. And while digital learning requires nuance, planning, and an awareness of both technology and instructional options, the transition can happen under pressure.

Virtually There Session Recap

For virtual classrooms to become successful and viable, we have to move beyond webinars and toward true training experiences. But how can we accomplish that lofty goal when under pressing deadlines and during a time of global change?

To start, we recommend purposefully increasing learner engagement in virtual learning sessions. Scenarios provide an easy, quick, and thoughtful way to foster environmental engagement, nurture emotional engagement, and stimulate intellectual engagement.

Would it surprise you even more to learn that, despite the perceived importance of increasing

engagement in learning initiatives, this same study revealed that L&D professionals only spend

“15% of their time promoting their programs?” Understandably, solid instructional design and

memorable delivery often occupy our efforts, frustratingly leaving little room for marketing considerations. 

Virtually There Session Recap

Think back to the first time you ever facilitated a webinar, virtual training session, or a meeting. How did you feel about it? Most people, including members of our experienced team, found the process stressful. The very technology that allows for creating connections across great distances, intimidates seasoned pros. And even if the virtual classroom platform works without a hitch, we often wonder, “did learners get anything from that experience?” 

Karen Vieth, InSync’s lead facilitator, joined the Virtually There series on February 19 to share her insights into how advanced delivery can mean the difference between simple interaction and true learning in the virtual classroom. 

Virtually There Session Recap

It’s that time of year – many of us have identified and are now trying to stick to New Year’s Resolutions. Whether these resolutions encompass lofty ambitions or seemingly small improvements to our lives, this type of goal setting calls for unlocking bold change in our behaviors and mindsets.

To start 2020 off productively, the Virtually There webinar series warmly welcomed Coach Monique DeMonaco, an expert in helping people reach their full potential, for a January 14 event. What insights did this one-hour session provide? Our team compiled highlights and next steps for readers.

Virtually There session recap

At some point in your career, you will have to give a presentation or run a meeting.

If you work in the Learning & Development space, there’s a good chance you will have to facilitate training content.

Regardless of whether you assume a role frequently requiring live delivery or one that very rarely demands public speaking, you should know how to capture people’s attention.

Virtually There Session Recap 

How can learning leaders and other stakeholders better engage their workforce?

Gaining emotional and professional buy-in from employees requires a structured approach focused on communication. The language used to share corporate updates, train new skills, and clarify company values can fundamentally change how the target audience receives the message.

In global companies, language matters tremendously: it’s not just word choice that matters, but the dialect of delivery can either create a sense of inclusivity or ostracize entire subgroups.

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.

Virtually There Session Recap

“How many of you have a dynamic learning performance ecosystem in place today?”

Expert Gary Wise kicked off his recent Virtually There session with this thought-provoking question.

Most organizations have a learning ecosystem that attempts to change based on business and learner needs. The modern learning landscape requires some level of training content adaptability and personalization.

Virtually There Session Recap

Virtual classrooms make up just one piece of the modern digital learning experience. Facilitators have the tall order of creating learner engagement in this complex, technical, and sometimes distant-feeling learning environment.

Karen Vieth, Lead Facilitator for InSync Training, has nearly two decades of experience overcoming these challenges and helping others build their skills as virtual instructors. During her recent Virtually There session with Jennifer Hofmann, she shared three advanced facilitation tips that have become cornerstones to her instructional approach.