I’ve been training for just over 25 years, 20 of which I’ve been freelance running a successful training consultancy service. When Covid hit, I like others, had to adapt to delivering training online via software applications like Zoom and MS Teams.
Results and feedback from delegates to on-line training has been fantastic. Here are my top tips for delivering brilliant virtual training on-line:
- Have a maximum group size of six
Remember this is a training session not a presentation. You want delegates to learn and the most effective way to do this is to involve them in the learning. If they’re involved in the session it will not only increase their capacity to learn, it will be more enjoyable, go quicker, and is less likely to be boring!
Having a maximum of six also allows you to observe more closely how each delegate is doing. People learn at different speeds and having groups of 12, 15, 20 etc allows them to ‘hide’ or be hidden where you won’t be able to coach and support them when they need it.
- Keep cameras and microphones on
This will create a feeling of being included rather than excluded from the group. It will also encourage delegates to focus on the session rather than being distracted by emails, their phones, or what’s out the window.
These of course can be turned off during breaks.
- Maximum of one hour training slots before a break
Training can be run for a full day as long as plenty of breaks are built in. Design your training so no more than one hour passes before a 10 minute break is given. This keeps delegates fresh and improves memory retention of what you cover during the training.
Ten / twenty minutes before each break, tell delegates that the next break will soon be upon us in XX minutes time. This gives them a jolt, increases attention, and in turn keeps them alert and more able to learn.
- Make yourself interesting to watch and listen to.
Many of the visual tricks trainers use in face to face training can’t be used virtually like moving amongst the group, looking at individual delegates to engage them.
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been bored to tears listening to a trainer harp on about something and I soon lose interest.
Variety is the spice of life so vary your training style regularly throughout the training.
- Be enthusiastic
Look and sound enthusiastic about what you’re training. Believe in what you’re saying and enjoy what you’re delivering. If you’re not motivated about your subject you can’t expect your delegates to be either.
- Vary your tone of voice
Vary the speed and volume of your voice. Speed up and increase volume to sound enthusiastic; slow down and sound a little quieter with information which needs thought and contemplation.
- Body language
Again, vary your body language, don’t just sit in the same position hour after hour.
Move in your seat, lean back, lean forward, stand or turn to use a flip chart. Use your body language to convey interest in what you’re saying, and draw delegates into you. Lean in towards your camera to show interest in what a delegate is saying. Sit back in your chair for thought.
Remember, when training face to face you use your body language and body movement to control and influence the group. You need to find ways to have this impact on-line in front of a camera.
- Don’t be afraid to use humour
I don’t mean tell jokes, just be yourself and if humour seems appropriate at times use it and encourage enjoyment of the session.
- Design the training to be active and involved
Remember this is a training session not a presentation. As trainers we must remember Kolb’s Learning Cycle and Honey and Mumford’s Learning Styles and design the training event to adhere to these best practice principles.
A big criticism of on-line training is the boredom and monotony of the sessions. You should design your training event so it has theory, discussion, practice, reflexion……theory, discussion, practice, reflexion, repeated throughout the training event:
- Vary the media you use for training delivery:
- tell
- discussion
- syndicate work (use breakout rooms)
- video
- PowerPoint
- flip chart (great for getting you out of or moving in your chair)
- the online white board
- and even typing delegates’ comments and conclusions directly in to a soft copy version of the delegate notes / handouts on screen (these can be emailed to delegates at the end of the training with their notes typed up).
- Use breakout rooms
Split delegates into syndicate groups and put them in to breakout rooms. Zoom has a count down clock so delegates can see how long they have left which works really well.
Keep these breakout sessions short and punchy, this will prevent idle chit chat and keep delegates focused. Depending upon what they’re discussing 10 minutes is usually enough.
Again, breakout rooms encourage involvement and interaction, and acts as a great stimulus to learning.
- Role Play
Use breakout rooms for role play, it works brilliantly and delegate feedback has been very positive to this. Many have found it less intimidating than face to face role play.
- Ask lots of questions
Group involvement is essential with online training, otherwise it becomes a presentation and soon you risk losing your audience, so ask lots of open questions.
As delegates don’t know who you’re looking at, use delegates’ names when asking questions to draw them in, and use lots of praise for contributions from quieter members of the group.