Custom eLearning Custom eLearning
  1. What We Do
    Custom eLearning Learning Consultancy Performance Campaigns Mobile Learning Performance Support Microlearning
    Video and Animation Rapid eLearning Games & Gamification Flash-to-HTML ILT and VILT Value Added Services
  2. Who We Are
    About Us Leadership Awards Press Releases Clients Careers Contact Us
  3. Our Work
  4. Insights
    eBooks Whitepapers Reports Presentations Case Studies Webinars Infographics Newsletters
  5. Podcast
  6. Let's Talk
  • What We Do
    • Custom eLearning
    • Learning Consultancy
    • Performance Campaigns
    • Mobile Learning
    • Performance Support
    • Microlearning
    • Video and Animation
    • Rapid Learning
    • Games & Gamification
    • Flash-to-HTML
    • ILT and VILT
    • Value Added Services
  • Who We Are
    • About Us
    • Leadership
    • Awards
    • Press Releases
    • Clients
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • Our Work
  • Insights
    • eBooks
    • Whitepapers
    • Reports
    • Presentations
    • Case Studies
    • Webinars
    • Infographics
    • Newsletters
  • Podcast

Training in a Corona-Hit World

 

eLearning  |  6 MIN

Training in a Corona-Hit World

Written by Sonal Sheth

COVID-19 has interfered with virtually every aspect of our lives and functioning – talk about a virus that really knows how to be unpopular!

Given the magnitude of change we are all dealing with in our organizations, naturally L&D teams are also hard-hit. Almost every organization has some part of the learning curriculum delivered by classroom training. Even in primarily eLearning-driven companies, you would find typically at least the leadership development programs having a classroom component. Sometimes, with a large frontline or very service-oriented industry, again, classroom trainings for certain topics have been indispensable.

With the way things have suddenly been disrupted by COVID-19, Virtual Instructor-Led Trainings or VILTs are a training format worth considering anew. Training cannot stop in a crisis; if anything, effective, supportive and timely interventions can become absolutely mission-critical.

Before we delve into VILTs, let’s consider other similar terms that are used. We at Upside prefer the term ‘VILT’. The reason for this will be clear once we look at the other similar formats: you may have also heard of online lectures, webinars, and online training.

Online Lectures:
Online lectures imply exactly that – you watch the instructor like you are attending a lecture, only you’re seeing them on a screen and not directly before you in real life. This is a format very popular even with huge virtual universities like MIT Open Course Ware.

Pros:

  • As you can see from the example, these online lectures can be a complete, scholarly experience with supporting assignments, assigned reading and so on.
  • They can be a one-off or a sustained series.

Cons:
While you have the illusion of being in a classroom because you get to see the teacher in action as though you were there, you miss out on a critical component of classroom engagement as a student – you’re not there, this is not synchronous, and so you don’t get opportunities to interact during the lesson.

Webinars:
Second, we have the webinars. Webinars are more common in a corporate context but they serve a slightly different purpose – they are meant to be informative not pedagogical. The focus is on the subject than the teaching or the audience. Typically, the webinar format is a slideshow that is accompanied by elaboration and perhaps a little explanation. These are synchronous sessions although recordings might be preserved for reference, so audiences may get to interact (albeit in limited ways).

Pros:
Webinars are useful when the learner’s purpose is knowledge acquisition through information gathering. They assume that the learner has the requisite grasp of foundational concepts and terminology, and is capable of independently applying metacognitive techniques to drive their own learning once they are offered information.

Cons:

  • Webinars deliver information without any scaffolding or necessarily considering the audience mix or level of prior knowledge.
  • There is very limited opportunity for audience interaction – typically, while there are Q&A portions, these are usually for short durations so that the presentation can be delivered as intended. Think of webinar dynamics as similar to meetings.

Online Training:
In intent, compared to the other terms we’ve seen, online training is closest to VILT, though it is still very misleading a term because online training can be so many more things! Online training is simply when teaching happens online – that can even be through pure eLearning with no facilitator, a simulation, a learning game… So, if you know your online training, ‘online training’ is a poor term! If you don’t, I guess it’s at least clearer than the others. For the purpose of this discussion though, let us take it at face value intent and say it means ‘having a person teach you, but it happens online instead of face to face’.

Because it’s so fluid a term, it makes sense to skip this one’s pros and cons and instead directly consider VILTs next.

VILT:
A virtual ILT happens just like a classroom session, only you aren’t in a physical room with the other learners and facilitator/instructor, and you use a virtual space as you would in a web meeting. It’s synchronous, you have to be there for the session at the planned time (although a recording may be made available for later reference). You can engage as you would in a classroom, raising doubts, offering ideas or perspectives, asking for clarifications, answering challenges set by the instructor, and so on. There could be group work, assignments, individual tasks, resources, supplementary or pre-requisite materials depending on the design chosen by the instructor.

Pros:

  • There is opportunity for customized feedback to individual or groups of learners; opportunity for learners to learn from each other’s questions, and feedback.
  • As a learner, there is also opportunity to freely engage as much as you would in a classroom.
  • A good design makes this a very rich instructional format, with adequate supporting ‘e’ elements of training, such as pre and post assessments.
  • The classroom format, even with the virtual component, is best for cognitively complex subjects and performance needs.
  • This is also a fantastic format to consider when the human element is significant (e.g. for a topic like conflict management, critical stakeholder-facing or customer-facing tasks)

Cons:

  • Session design has to be smartly done, or the instructor will end up under a much bigger workload – there is simply a lot more to track on the screen during delivery than just making a presentation.
  • A set of technical skills and knowledge which has nothing to do with training or teaching are still required to implement this option successfully.
  • The set-up of the classroom requires careful planning and preparation. For example, when we have migrated to online remote working during this crisis, a simple consideration – we may not all have whiteboards at home to write as we teach!
  • You cannot see the body language of learners as you teach – you can only evolve some intelligent design features to compensate for the lack of this big source of feedback on engagement and understanding
  • As a learner, you have to stare at a screen for way longer than an online meeting. Hopefully the instructor or instructional designer considers this and designs the session appropriately!

So… What’s Next?
Well, that was quite a bit to think about, wasn’t it. What we’re going to do, is offer a series exploring various aspects of VILTs in depth, keeping in mind the non-ideal and ad hoc circumstances under which most of us are working now. If your company already has a better setup in place, great – you have more options! But if it doesn’t, we’re going to help you ensure that you can still successfully run effective trainings even with minimal infrastructure and even by just ‘making do’.

Looking to Go Virtual?
Talk to our Digital Learning Experts to understand how can we help you transform your ILTs to Digital Learning quickly and on a budget. Or write to us at elearning@upsidelearning.com

Tweet

Write a Comment



← Evolving to the New Normal of eLearning Can you play Flash after 2020? This is how →
Subscribe for updates

Delivered by FeedBurner

Featured PostsTags
L&D Go Beyond Podcast: How can L&D Pivot from Learning to Performance?, with Laura OvertonGabriella DanielsDriving Learners toward Better Outcomes with Scenario-based LearningAlesiya KhanL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Bridging the Gap between Learning and Performance, with Charles JenningsGabriella DanielsIncorporating Spacing within Digital Learning InterventionsVidya RajagopalL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Strategies for Effective Learning in Retail Sales, with Ramakrishna RaoIsha SoodThe Journey of the Curious UpsiderGabriella DanielsL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Moving ID to LXD, with Clark QuinnIsha SoodL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Post-Pandemic Workplace Learning Strategy, with Shantanu BhattacharyaIsha SoodWhy Learning Design Should Incorporate SpacingVidya RajagopalL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Secrets to Being Smarter, Faster, with Arun PradhanIsha SoodThe Power Of Testing: Testing As A Tool For LearningSonal ShethL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Challenges and Opportunities for Measuring the Impact of Training and Learning, with Kevin M. YatesIsha Sood18 and Fabulous – Upside Learning Completes Another Glorious Year of Enabling Enterprises for Better Workplace LearningIsha SoodL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Instructional Story Design, with Rance GreeneIsha SoodStoryboarding – You Gotta LUV it!Neeti SudumbrekarL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Gamifying Workplace Learning the Right Way, with Karl KappIsha SoodL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Workplace Learning in the Post-Covid World, with Sam Taylor, Jr. and Rick HouslerIsha SoodDesirable Difficulties: Making learning slow, to improve performance fastShreyas KoradL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Learning for L&D Professionals, with Joti JosephIsha SoodBetter learning experiences lead to better employee engagement in the modern workplaceAmit GargL&D Go Beyond Podcast: The Ten Questions You Must Ask at The Start of Any Learning ProjectIsha SoodA little forgetting before retrieval makes memory stickier for workplace applicationAlesiya KhanL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Writing Better Multiple-Choice Questions to Assess LearningIsha SoodTime to onboard the great learning modernizationAlesiya KhanBeyond mere conversion, virtual ILT is an opportunity to modernize learningAmit GargModern workplace learning needs new wine in new bottleAmit GargIt’s Fun, But Is Netflix Right For Workplace Learning?Amit GargCan gamification level up your employee onboarding experience and boost outcome?Amit GargSolving before Learning: A Case for Inverting the Way Courses are DesignedShreyas KoradL&D Go Beyond Podcast: AI and The Upskilling Imperative for L&DIsha SoodLooking Back at 2021 with Gratitude: A Fulfilling Year with Many Reasons to CheerIsha SoodThe Forgotten Art of Exploratory LearningShreyas KoradDeep, durable learning ensures adept, adaptable workplace performanceAmit GargL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Design for How People LearnIsha SoodL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Chatbots in Workplace Learning & PerformanceIsha SoodL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Curiosity & Learning in the WorkplaceIsha SoodL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Curation & Learning Ecosystems – Dealing With the Complexity That Damages Learning CultureIsha SoodL&D Go Beyond Podcast: How to Solve the Right Problems in L&DIsha SoodL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Innovation in L&DIsha SoodL&D Go Beyond Podcast: How to Bring Performance Focus to TrainingIsha SoodL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Design Thinking for Learning EngagementIsha SoodL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Building Learning Programs that EngageIsha SoodL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Learning Engagement in Supply Chain TrainingIsha SoodThe Living Root Bridge of Learning EngagementAmit GargAuthentic, holistic tasks ensure engaged, applicable learningAmit GargThe Curious Role of Spaced Practice and Staggered Retrieval in Learning EngagementAmit GargWhy Interleaving is a Significant Practice for Learning EngagementAmit GargUnderstanding Learning Engagement – The Missing Link Between Learning and PerformanceAmit GargWhat is Learning?Amit GargEngaging eLearning is Effective LearningAmit Garg
Mobile Learning (140)eLearning (115)mLearning (98)Instructional Design (50)Game Based Learning (42)Technology (35)eLearning Development (35)Workplace Learning (33)Learning (26)Learning Games (26)Design (25)Upside Learning (24)Learning Design (22)eLearning Technology (21)Social Learning (20)ipad (19)DGBL (17)Best eLearning Links (16)augmented reality (15)eLearning Outsourcing (15)Games (14)HTML5 (14)Innovation (13)LMS (13)Responsive Authoring Tools (13)Mobile (13)UL Fun Cartoon (13)Future (12)IPhone (12)Future Learning (11)UL Fun e toons (11)Informal Learning (11)elearning weekly digest (11)Responsive eLearning (11)Flash (10)Development (10)Top eLearning Links (10)eLearning On Tablets (10)Learning Technology (10)Weekly Digest (9)Top eLearning Posts (9)Blended Learning (9)GBL (9)Mobile Learning Technology (9)eLearning Weekly Finds (8)Tablet Learning (8)Multi Device eLearning (8)eLearning Weekly Find (8)Mobility (8)elearning in a multi-device world (7)Learning and Development (7)Trends (7)Rapid Authoring (7)Training Outsourcing (7)Engaging eLearning (7)Custom eLearning (7)Performance Support (7)Mobile Technology (6)Casual Games (6)Serious Games (6)
eLearning Learning

Upcoming Events

Archives

Resources
Compliance Training: Stop Ticking the Box
Compliance Training: Stop Ticking the BoxesHave a compliance program that’s not as effective as you’d hoped? Or wondering where to start to design an effective one? Find the answers to all your queries in this eBook.
Read More and Download
The Ultimate Guide to migrating eLearning from Flash to HTML5
The Ultimate Guide to migrating eLearning from Flash to HTML5This eBook is meant for organizations who want to migrate their eLearning from Flash to HTML5.
View Recording
Tips for Designing, Testing and Delivering eLearning in a Multi-device World - eBook
Tips for Designing, Testing and Delivering eLearning in a Multi-device WorldA collection of highly useful tips on the various aspects of designing, testing and delivering multi-device/ responsive eLearning.
Read More and Download

GET INSIGHTS AND LEARNING DELIGHTS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX, SUBSCRIBE TO UPSIDE LEARNING BLOG.

Delivered by FeedBurner

Published on May 5, 2020
Topic : eLearning

Don't forget to share this post!

  • Snow
  • Snow
  • Snow
  • Snow

Related Blogs

L&D Go Beyond Podcast: How can L&D Pivot from Learning to Performance?, with Laura Overton
Podcast,   Workplace Learning    | 2 MIN
Gabriella Daniels
Driving Learners toward Better Outcomes with Scenario-based Learning
Upside Learning    | 5 MIN
Alesiya Khan
L&D Go Beyond Podcast: Bridging the Gap between Learning and Performance, with Charles Jennings
Podcast,   Workplace Learning    | 2 MIN
Gabriella Daniels

GET INSIGHTS AND LEARNING DELIGHTS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX, SUBSCRIBE TO UPSIDE LEARNING BLOG

Delivered by FeedBurner

  • Snow
  • Snow
  • Snow
  • Snow

Follow us on

  • linkedin
  • Facebook
  • Snow
  • Slideshare
  • Feedburner
  • Youtube
to be in trend with latest happening in the elearning domain.

More from Our Resources

  • eBook

  • Whitepapers

  • Reports

  • Presentations

  • Case Studies

  • Webinars

  • Infographics

  • Newsletters

Snow
Forest
Mountains
Mountains
Mountains

WANT TO FIND OUT HOW OUR SOLUTIONS CAN IMPACT
YOUR ORGANISATION?
CLICK HERE TO GET IN TOUCH

Custom eLearning

Upside Learning Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Punakar Complex, Survey No-117,
Bangalore Pune Highway, Warje,
Pune, India

Tel: +91-20-2523 6050 / 51 / 52

Email: elearning@upsidelearning.com

FOLLOW US

GO BEYOND
What is Go Beyond Compliance Training Sales Enablement Measuring Learning
Effectiveness
Microlearning Gamification Learning Engagement
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Learning Strategy Solution Design and
Development
WHAT WE DO
Custom eLearning Learning Consultancy Performance Campaigns Mobile Learning Performance Support Microlearning Video and Animation Rapid eLearning Games & Gamification Flash-to-HTML Conversion ILT and VILT Value Added Services
WHAT WE ARE
About Us Our Work Leadership Awards Press release Clients Careers Contact Us
QUICK LINKS
Insights Blog Submit a RFP Schedule A Call Client Login Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2022 Upside Learning Solutions Pvt. Ltd.