Training Industry Magazine - January/February 2021 - 47

difficult to duplicate group exercises and
encourage participation in a webinar.
Audience size, audience composition
and time to learn often change based
on method of delivery. As a result,
converted training doesn't always
translate well. Conversion isn't just a
matter of presenting the same materials
and information via a web-conferencing
system. Successful conversion does not
compromise the learning experience.
Learning leaders should collaborate
with subject matter experts (SMEs) to
ensure that they are respecting the
design process. Consider that the way
we approach and execute training
now has implications for how it will be
regarded by our audience long term.

Don't erect too many unnecessary
barriers for learning, and be mindful of
approvals and prerequisites. They can
be discouraging.

Do Build in
Interactivity
Learners want an opportunity to discuss
their opinions and provide feedback,
and these tactics are important drivers
for learner retention. Learning and
development (L&D) professionals know
that learners retain only a fraction of
what they learn from books, manuals and
presentations. It has long been accepted
that providing learners with opportunities
to put new information to the test
reinforces knowledge acquisition and
application of new information on the job.
Interactivity is often sacrificed when
instructor-led training (ILT) is converted
to the virtual environment. It can be

Interactive components enforce training's
staying power. Online courses are
attractive because of their ability to
get information to a large audience in
an asynchronous manner. Interactive
courses provide learners a selfdirected way of learning and engaging
in meaningful activities that promote
behavior change. Interactivity does not
have to include virtual reality or complex
simulations. Quizzing and live polling offer
opportunities for learners to immediately
put new information to use. Even a
strategically placed, well-written fill-in-theblank can help lock in learning.
Perhaps the simplest way to create
interactive eLearning experiences is to
host subsequent follow-up conversations.
The flipped classroom has gained some
traction as a method for incorporating
live user discussions with prepackaged
content. When that is not an option,
manager follow-up can be paired with
eLearning to culminate in an interactive
eLearning experience. Don't let
operational managers become passive
partners. Most employees will readily
complete training courses if their manager
recommended it or discussed it with them.

Gamification and interactivity elevate
eLearning and webinars. There are
several low-cost and free options for
incorporating these features into live
webinars and virtual learning activities.
Quizzes, polls, word clouds and
more can be added to presentations
and courses to better engage the
audience. Many of these applications
were first created for primary school
teachers but have expanded to offer
corporate options. The tools below
are easy to use, free or low-cost, don't
require a subscription, and require no
advance set-up.

Do Make Your
eLearning Engaging
This is the number one objective that
differentiates eLearning from videos and
presentations. Teaching new information
is more than just presenting it. Consider
how engaged you've felt listening to a
lecturer. Now think about a workshop
that required you to spend a few hours
with peers doing activities and working
with peers. Which had the most impact?
Which felt more fulfilling?
The human components of presentations
- moderated tone, eye-contact and
audience members' attitude toward a
facilitator or presenter - are factors that
automatically set the tone for learning
in a classroom. In-person speakers
and presenters can monitor and adjust
based on real-time audience feedback
and behaviors. Whereas, online learning
is mostly static. In the case of webinars,
participants have the ability to hide
behind their screens. Do not allow
this to happen. Successfully engaging
learners encourages them to participate
in a substantive manner.

T R A I N I N G I N DUSTR Y MAGAZ INE - VIRTUAL LEARNING I W WW. T RAI NINGINDU S T RY . C OM/ MAGAZ I NE

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Training Industry Magazine - January/February 2021

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