Common Questions About Virtual Training

What Is Virtual Training?



Before we get into the benefits and considerations for virtual training, let's define what virtual training is. It is training delivered over the internet, using technology to connect live instructors with live students remotely. The "classroom" is a technology such as Microsoft Office LiveMeeting, GotoMeeting, Adobe Connect, or Webex. The students can see the instructor's desktop and hear the instructor. Students will typically log into a remote environment to work hands-on with the technology and do lab exercises.


Is Virtual Training As Effective As live Classroom Training?


Pro: While I certainly can't speak for everyone, studies, surveys and student feedback indicate that the answer to this question is Yes. Some students report that they are actually forced to interact more in a virtual setting, and some instructors have said that students ask better, more focused questions in virtual classes than in a live classroom. The remote environment that students use to practice and do their lab exercises typically remains available around the clock, allowing students more time to work with the technology.


Con: Students are more directly responsible for the quality of their learning experience, and they must be more self-motivated in their desire to learn. In addition, the instructors cannot see the body language of the students to get a feel for how their message is being delivered.


Should I Expect to Pay More, Less, or the Same for Virtual Training as Opposed to a Live ILT Course?


Short answer: The same. Virtual courses use the same resources to deliver a class as a live setting would. The instructor's time is the same, courseware is the same, and while the vendor delivering the course isn't outfitting a full classroom with 12 or more computers, they are supplying the technology for the virtual lab environment and likely paying for licensing for the webinar software. Keep in mind, however, that you're saving on travel costs in a virtual class.


How Long Should a Virtual Training Class Be?


The course itself will ultimately be the same duration the equivalent ILT class. However, you should expect the virtual class to be broken up into shorter segments delivered over a longer period of time. For example, a five day ILT course might be scheduled from 9am to 12 noon, Mon-Wed-Fri, over 4 weeks. The reason for this is that the virtual setting does not lend itself to the intensive schedule of 5 consecutive 8-hour days.


Final Thoughts


- Keep in mind that the most important aspect of any training course is the quality of the instructor. A bad instructor won't get better in a virtual course.


- Do your homework. When you're shopping for the right training course for your needs, whether it's ILT or virtual, read reviews, review the prerequisites, and make sure that your real-world business issues will be addressed in the course.


- Leverage your volume. If you have multiple employees who need the same course, you may be able to run a private course. A private virtual classroom operates the same as a private live course; you can customize content, mix lessons from other courses, and add in custom content just as you would in a live class. A private virtual class allows students from different physical locations to attend the same event without travel, and you may be able to record the class and archive it on your network for reference.



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