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.

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.

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.

What do you need for Virtual Instructor-led training?

2. TechnologyA tool for distributing training materials

1. Content Online training materials

3. Delivery Something to connect the facilitator and learners

• 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

Three key differences between instructor-led and virtual instructor-led training

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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

• 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

Articles and guides

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

• 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.

Summary of tips