Resources for

developing
online/virtual
facilitation skills
 Introduction

The purpose of this guide is to provide trainers/facilitators

information on online courses and resources to develop their
online/virtual training skills.

If you are a new trainer/facilitator or want to refresh your skills,

knowledge and competencies to understand the adult learner, you
can complete the Level 1: Award Trainer Skills course on the
Award Community website.
 Difference between instructor-led, virtual training and eLearning?
Instructor-led training (ILT)
• Is the style of in-person/classroom/face-to-face
training that most people are familiar with.
• A facilitator leads a group of people at a
designated time and place, teaching them a new
skill and reinforcing or expanding on previous
skills.
• The Facilitator will monitor the progress of
learners and provide crucial feedback to learners.
eLearning (web-based training)
• Refers to a self-paced online course that can be
completed without any interaction between the
learner and other learners or the learner and the
facilitator.
Virtual Instructor-led training (VILT)
• A facilitator guides the learning of a new skill or
idea from a virtual space, such as a web class
(facilitator and learners are in separate locations).
• This mimics the traditional instructor-led learning
experience, here you can choose between
synchronous or asynchronous learning.
• A synchronous environment will leverage tools like
instant messaging and video conferencing for real-
time interactions.
• Asynchronous environments use email, message
boards, forums, and other tools to communicate
even when the facilitator and learners may be
online at different times.
What do you 2. Technology
need for Virtual A tool for
Instructor-led distributing
training? training materials

3. Delivery
1. Content Something to
Online training connect the
materials facilitator and
learners
Three key differences between instructor-led and virtual
instructor-led training

• The role of technology—while a face-to-face facilitator might use

technology, in the virtual training, technology becomes the main
platform

• Engaging learners—different strategies are needed to engage and

build a rapport with learners the facilitator cannot see

• Multitasking—facilitators need to simultaneously present, engage

learners, and use the technology platform
SECTION TITLE
Online courses

• Foundations of Virtual Instruction

• Online learning series 2018: Facilitation skills

• Tools to support remote teaching and learning

• Cambridge Webinars and online training

• When Face to Face Training Isn’t an Option: 7 Tips for Remote Training
1. Online meeting facilitation tips and
tricks Part 1

2. Online meeting facilitation tips and

tricks Part 2

3. 5 Effective Strategies for Facilitating

Engagement in Your Online Course
Articles and guides

• 5 Tips to Make Remote Learning More Effective With Video

• 7 Tips for virtual training success
• 20 Tips to Facilitate Online Class Participation
• A guide to facilitating remote workshops and virtual meetings
• Boosting Course Design: 5 Easy-to-Follow Course Facilitation Techniques
• A Checklist for Facilitating Online Courses
• Take My Advice
• Top 5 Tips For Online Facilitators
• 25 Tips For Successful Online Course Facilitation
• Engaging Learners in Virtual Sessions
• A Prescription for Virtual Training Success
o THE LOUNGE PODCAST EPISODE
21: VIRTUAL CLASSROOM
TRAINING WITH CINDY
HUGGETT

o Virtual Training is Much More

Than a Presentation

o 21: Virtual Classroom Training

with Cindy Huggett
Summary of tips
• Starting a class can take longer.
• Buffer the start time and allow several minutes for learners to log in, join,
test audio, and prepare to learn.
• Asking learners to introduce themselves in chat, respond to a poll question,
or type a question in chat.
• Important for frequent engagement and interaction online.
• Facilitators can expect learners to respond a few different ways. They might
smile or laugh, speak, sigh, or groan.
• They might raise a hand to ask permission to speak. The facilitator can see,
hear, and respond to all these things.
• Even if online learners exhibit the same audible or body language cues, the
virtual facilitator won’t see them.
Summary of tips

• Facilitator must ask for feedback and build in interactions.

• The facilitator guides are much more in-depth for an online training
than they are for an in-person training because you’ve got to include
all of the technical details.
• Multitasking: the facilitator might need to simultaneously present
information, engage learners, field questions coming in via chat, and
switch between screens and activities.