Training Industry Magazine - Spring 2016 - (Page 24)

TOOLS FOR THE MIXED PHYSICAL & VIRTUAL CLASSROOM By Howard Forder, MCSE, MCT, MCITP, A+ AS VIRTUAL CLASSROOMS BECOME MORE AND MORE PREVALENT, THE NEED FOR A STANDARD SET OF PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES FOR TRAINING DELIVERY HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY APPARENT. THE VIRTUAL CLASSROOM IS A DIFFERENT LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FROM THE CONVENTIONAL CLASSROOM. Mixing both the physical and virtual classroom together is a challenge to keep everyone engaged and focused, oftentimes resulting in low review scores. But it doesn't have to be. With some modifications to the way we present the program, it is possible to create an effective learning environment in a mixed classroom of virtual and physical students. LACK OF ENGAGEMENT Trainers have to be many things: technically adept, knowledgeable about their course and products, great at working with people and, most of all, engaging to the students in order to facilitate learning. If the trainer fails in any one area, it is reflected negatively in the entire course review. Add to that the dry and sparse slide decks that comprise many of the courses that trainers are asked to deliver. The big question is, "How can we engage the virtual student more?" The lack of student satisfaction is tied to two different problems: (1) the limitations of a virtual classroom versus a physical classroom, and (2) the lack of communicability on the part of the student. LIMITATIONS OF THE VIRTUAL CLASSROOM Lack of engagement is the root cause of a dissatisfied student, but why is that exactly? The virtual classroom and physical 24 classroom differ in a variety of ways and, oftentimes, the virtual student is missing some of these key benefits: c Visual accountability: The trainer can read students' body language to gauge whether students are bored, confused, tired or happy. c Commitment to timeliness: A physical classroom elicits more urgency for students to be on time, and also helps them focus on the content without distractions from home or work. c Engagement: A trainer in the physical classroom, by his voice, body language and movement about the room, draws students' attention to the slides, demos and other training aids. c Interactivity: Physical students can raise their hand and speak anytime. c Live discussions: The physical student can participate in group discussions, brainstorming, sidebar conversations and help others in the classroom. LACK OF INTERACTION FROM VIRTUAL STUDENTS Most virtual students do not speak during training sessions, as they are using laptop speakers and if they try to use their microphone, it gives them feedback. So

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Training Industry Magazine - Spring 2016

Training Industry Magazine - Spring 2016
Transforming the Classroom Experience
Table of Contents
Onboarding Successful Leaders
Will the App Become the New Classroom?
The Evolving Classroom
Developing Micro-Learning for Micro-Moments
Testing the Waters with Mobile Learning
Incorporating Instant Messaging into Communciations Training
Tools for the Mixed Physical and Virtual Classroom
Training a Diverse Workforce
Next Generation Classroom: Providing the Ultimate Learning Experience
Meeting the Five Moments of Need
Save the Learners: Build a Serious Game Strategy
Universal Design for Learning
Cars.com: Revolutionizing the Classroom Experience
Crossing Cultural Training
The Changing Face of Training Outsourcing
Design Learning so Everyone Gets an 'A'
Creating Brain-Compatible Materials
Four Ways to Become an Agent of Learning, Not Change
BizLibrary Invests in the Science of Memory
Company News
What's Online
Training Talk

Training Industry Magazine - Spring 2016