Live Instructor Led Virtual Training – How does it compare to the Traditional Classroom?

A virtual classroom provides the same four pillars of learning that a traditional classroom provides. First, a live expert instructor - Technology now empowers the live instructor to be heard and interacted with in real-time. Second, content – For a virtual classroom, the content is easy. Just a slight adjustment to ensure few talking points per slide for more interaction. Third, labs - Labs can be done in virtual breakout groups or with real equipment. Fourth, peer interaction - If you can talk and hear your instructor in real-time that means you can talk and hear your peers in real-time.

Between security issues, administrative rights problems, bandwidth challenges, and VoIP concerns, virtual training proved to be a hurdle to knowledge instead of a bridge. The technology was not ready for the intended use. However, now the technology is an enablement - This is the major difference in Live Instructor Led Virtual Training in 2009 as compared to previous years.

The technology works. You get the same product whether live or virtual so what is slowing down the adoption of virtual training? The answer is trust.

Taken directly from the feedback we’ve received from customers and our advisory board, management does not trust that their employee is “actively” paying attention and learning in a virtual classroom. They believe this to a point that they value a virtual training class about half as much as a traditional classroom training program. We were very surprised to hear this feedback.

First we thought that in a live classroom there is just as much chance the employee is “zoning” out as in a virtual classroom - actually there is more of a chance. Virtual instructors are taught how to push interaction as a systematic practice in their training. They work harder at forcing interaction than a physically live instructor does. As a result, we hear feedback from instructors who say they get more student participation in virtual classes compared to the physical classes.

Also, we thought maybe the concern is interruptions - if participants are at their desk, there are more opportunities for interruption. Actually we have found that in today’s world there are fewer interruptions. With today’s technology, such as mobile data devices, employees now have the ability to take all aspects of the office virtually anywhere which leaves more concentration time in the office.

So if you have some time, take a look at Live Instructor Led Virtual Training. You will be very happily surprised at what you find.