We still have a way to go to build on our initial forays into virtual training. We now know we can do it (because we had to!), but how do we do it well? How do we move from surviving to thriving? Creating the right experience is one of many challenges, others that spring to mind are:

• If the content is so subject specialised it needs to be delivered essentially as a lecture, how can we make this an engaging and interactive learning experience?
• If the content is varied and sophisticated how can it be delivered as successfully virtually as it would have physically?
• If the training is complex and to be rolled out to thousands globally, how is it best adapted for virtual?

Having run LiveTime Learning as a remote workplace for our team for the past 11 years and specialising in virtual classroom training for the same period, I’ve developed some ideas about how these questions can be answered successfully.

To avoid ‘the lecture’, two key things are key

First, assume less involvement, but make it count. Concentrate interactions on specific problems to solve, based on the content, not simplistic involvement like ‘asking for comments’ in the chat.

Second, ensure the specialists delivering the content know that it lives or dies with them, so they have to make time to rehearse well and hone their delivery.

For varied or sophisticated content, break it up.

This is not just about mixing self-study with learning – though the modular approach blended with self-study is always a winner. It is much more about getting people into teams (usually in breakouts) to work on sophisticated challenges that test their wits, build close relationships and facilitate learning from each other.