Human contact is at the heart of every customer service interaction. With the global pandemic, it has been necessary to rethink the approach and structure of a training course; in virtual, it is important to maintain human contact while avoiding the exhaustion of participants to be connected via the web. Certainly, tools like Zoom have been helpful, but the approach of teaching, speaking time, and how to share information has changed.
Here are four important steps to successfully complete online training:
- The trainer must a contagious energy
As participants in online training are each at home, they are less likely to interact with others before the session begins or during breaks. In addition, 1001 things at home can distract their attention; the motivation or enthusiasm to be present is less shared. The trainer is therefore responsible for the atmosphere of the session. With a strong energy, the trainer can influence the group to be present, listen carefully and participate.
- Ensure engagement from all participants
To stimulate participant engagement, it is beneficial for the trainer to ensure that all participants can speak, for example by going around the table at the beginning of the session so that everyone can introduce themselves. During the questions, the trainer can directly ask a specific person for the answer, by diversifying the person chosen during the session.
- Structure the session well and track time
To ensure the attention remains all along, the structure of the session must be announced at the beginning and be respected, both in terms of time for each topic presented and the time of the breaks, for example. In addition, if a manual supports the visual presentation of the training, the consistency with the manual pages must be clearly identified. Being virtual, a 5-minute break every 45 minutes will also help to get more attention and interest from everyone.
- Vary learning methods
Finally, during a virtual training, it is interesting to vary the learning methods. For example, alternating between theoretical learning, hands-on experience through workshops and role-playing using the breakout rooms in Zoom. It is also possible to do live quizzes on Zoom where participants respond individually or even use tools such as Mural so that participants write their ideas simultaneously on a participatory and visual document.
By following these tips, you will already greatly improve the quality of your online training! What will be your ideas and ways to make a virtual training attractive to participants?
