2/19/2021 10 Virtual Training Features That Mimic In-person Training - Training Industry

REMOTE LEARNING

10 Virtual Training Features That Mimic In-

person Training
May 15, 2019SponsoredMiguel Palma4 min read

Today’s virtual training software provides a nearly identical teaching experience for
instructors — and, arguably, a better learning experience for all learners. The innovative
virtual training tools that make up training delivery software have taken instructor-learner
interactions to a whole new level. When you combine these tools with virtual training labs
(also known as a lab environment), you create an effective combination, especially for IT
and technology training.

Because engaged learners are better learners, several software vendors have
developed virtual training tools — such as chat, help queues, screen-sharing,
whiteboards and breakout rooms — to promote interactivity with and between learners.
These valuable features help instructors achieve the best possible visibility, monitoring
and control of learners’ systems within instructor-led online training.

Making the shift from face-to-face teaching to virtual training can sometimes feel
challenging. Here’s a guide to help you navigate the transition from face-to-face
classrooms to virtual training. Use these handy features to replicate in-person
interactions in an online training environment.

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1. Lab overview is the most popular virtual training tool, especially in virtual instructor-led
training (VILT). It’s a feature that enables instructors to see all of the learners’ desktops
simultaneously. This way, they know where each learner is in the course, see what each
learner is doing and offer assistance to learners who are falling behind.

Lab overview is the most popular virtual training tool, especially in

virtual instructor-led training (VILT).

2. Virtual training labs: To prepare learners for real-life scenarios and reinforce the
material, it is important for them to learn via hands-on, practical experiences. Cloud lab
environments emulate the way humans are meant to learn — by doing. These virtual
labs provide a safe and secure replica of software for learners to practice on. By
incorporating virtual training labs (sometimes referred to as IT training labs) into a
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course, instructors can help learners become high performers in a short period of time.
Without virtual machine training, learners end up learning the theory but gain zero
experience actually using the software.

3. Public and private chat enables conversations between and among instructors and
learners. With the public chat tool, learners and instructors can access the public chat
area for class-wide updates or issues. Public chat is useful for announcing the start of
class and breaks or for providing information that the entire class might need.
Meanwhile, the private chat feature gives instructors and learners the ability to have one-
on-one conversations with each other. Offering both public and private chat options is
important, because some learners prefer to ask questions in private.

4. Messaging enables instructors to send an automatic pop-up message to all learners

— or to selected learners — within the VILT software. It is an easy tool to let learners
know when there is a break or to provide quick “FYIs.” For example, instructors can use
pop-up messages to notify learners when a break is coming to an end so that the
learners all return to class at the same time, and the course can continue on schedule.

5. Whiteboards provide a drawing/writing tool and an image library. Instructors can use
the whiteboard feature to show flowcharts and process maps and draw network
configurations or other technology architectures. They can also use them to point to
specific sections of the course material or highlight which section of the syllabus the
course is currently covering. For example, instructors sometimes use the whiteboard
feature to highlight a specific portion of a PowerPoint slide, graph or table.

Instructors can use the whiteboard to show flowcharts and process

maps and draw technology architectures.

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6. A help queue enables instructors to prioritize learners who need assistance, to track
the learners who requested help and how long each learner has been waiting for help,
and to assign a help request to an assistant instructor if one is available. Requests for
help are a vital part of traditional and virtual training, and virtual training companies
created this feature to enable learners to ask for help anytime.

7. Follow-up list: Similar to an agenda, the follow-up list keeps instructors organized
while giving online instructor-led training. Follow-up lists allow instructors to create tasks,
lists and reminders. They typically use this feature to track learner questions that require
after-class research.

8. Screen-sharing: With in-person training, instructors often use a projector to share their
screen with the class. In virtual training, the projector is replaced with the screen-sharing
feature. Within the training delivery platform, instructors can share their desktop with
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learners or share a learner’s screen with the entire class.

9. Breakout groups: Similar to traditional classroom training, VILT software enables

instructors to divide a classroom into smaller groups. While learners are in groups, they
can collaborate on case studies and lab exercises or resolve a challenge — and then
present their findings to the entire class.

VILT software enables instructors to divide a classroom into smaller

groups.

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10. Audio requires little bandwidth and is specifically developed for training. When
platforms offer multiple audio modes, instructors have full control of how they want to
handle audio content in the class.

Effectively using these virtual training tools will allow instructors to engage all of the
learners in their classes. When learners begin “raising their hands,” participating in
discussions and sending chat messages, requesting help, and responding to
assessments on time, instructors will know that their learners are engaged and invested
in the learning experience.

Switching from in-person to virtual training can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be.
This article is a starting point to help instructors understand the features that are
available to make switching to virtual training easier.

#Learning Technologies

#learning technology

#online training

#vILT

#virtual instructor-led training

#virtual training

#virtual training labs

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Miguel Palma

Miguel Palma is responsible for leading ReadyTech’s marketing efforts. ReadyTech has
been a leading training delivery service and solutions provider for over 25 years.

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