Converting Face-to-Face Classroom to Virtual Learning
by Cynthia Clay
|
As we move into 2010, NetSpeed Learning Solutions is assisting many clients who are making the move from face-to-face to virtual classrooms (using web conferencing platforms such as WebEx and Adobe Connect Pro). There are a multitude of approaches to the conversion dilemma but not all of them are effective. Here are a few that we've encountered:
Option #1: Teach the same content, in the same way, in the same length of time, online... just have people log in from their desktops to listen to a speaker. It may be boring but, hey, you can start to roll out virtual programs tomorrow!
Option #2: Teach the same content but remove the experiential exercises and discussions... instead of a four-hour course, you can shave that virtual class time down to 30 minutes, send them a list of bullet points, and get everyone back to work quickly.
Option #3: Thoughtfully consider how to achieve similar learning objectives with engaging, interactive, peer-to-peer learning, delivered in 60 to 90-minute facilitated web sessions, lead by a skilled virtual facilitator.
Which option do we recommend? If you selected Option 3, you're on the right track. Taking the time to carefully "repurpose" a face-to-face classroom event for the virtual arena means that you:
- Review and rewrite the learning objectives
- Rely on adult learning principles to make the content relevant and meaningful
- Create a design outline that strives to build interaction every 3 - 5 minutes of the facilitated web session
- Enhance the PowerPoint slide presentation with effective photos, graphics, and illustrations
- Ensure application and practice remain an important part of the design
- Blend asynchronous online activities (such as blogging) with live facilitated sessions
- Support learning transfer with online reinforcement tools
When you're engaged in the conversion process, you need to pay attention to the design process, as well as the web conferencing tools at your disposal. To achieve success in the conversion of course content, you must select a web conferencing platform that:
- Provides a variety of interaction tools, including chat, polling, and annotation
- Incorporates break-out rooms for lively small group discussions
- Offers two-way communication (through VoIP or teleconferencing) to engage learners
- Supports the use of multi-media (video and audio)
- Handles sophisticated slide presentations that include animation and graphics
- Is easy to learn, master, and apply by the Presenter
- Presents few challenges or barriers to participants new to web conferencing
If you're ready to make the leap to virtual learning, NetSpeed Learning Solutions is ready to help.
|
Hot off the presses...
Do you want your trainers to conduct engaging, cost-effective webinars that lead to learning transfer? Pick up a copy of Cynthia Clay's new book, Great Webinars: How to create interactive learning that is captivating, informative and fun, now available at our web site and at online book retailers like Amazon.com. Watch an interview of the author, and read a book chapter or check out some of the reader testimonials. Cynthia Clay is the president/CEO of NetSpeed Learning and a nationally recognized expert in virtual learning methodologies.
|
Speed Read Recommendation
It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy
Captain D. Michael Abrashoff
|
The story of Captain Abrashoff and his command of USS Benfold have become legendary inside and outside the Navy. When he took over the ship it was armed with every cutting-edge system available, it was like a business that had all the latest technology, but only some of the productivity. Knowing that responsibility for improving performance rested with him, he realized that he had to improve his own leadership skills before he could improve his ship. Within months he created a crew of confident, inspired problem solvers eager to take the initiative and take responsibility for their actions. The slogan on board became "It's your ship," and Benfold became recognized far and wide as a model of naval efficiency. In this book, Abrashoff shares his secrets of successful management.
This recommendation comes from the Leadership Book Club by Frumi Barr, a certified NetSpeed Learning Solutions consultant based in Newport Beach, CA.
|
| The Seven Separators of Great Facilitation - What separates top facilitators from average ones? |
By Michael Wilkinson, Managing Director, Leadership Strategies, Inc. and author of The Secrets of Facilitation and The Secrets to Masterful Meetings
What is it that separates great facilitators from good ones? Sure, every facilitator needs to know about establishing ground rules, using the appropriate tools and maintaining a safe environment. But are there a set of skills that seem to distinguish the best facilitators from the rest of the pack?
We say, "Yes!" As facilitators and facilitation trainers, we have had the opportunity to work with and train over 12,000 facilitators since releasing our training class The Effective Facilitator in 1993. While some facilitators were beginners, most were experienced, and many were very experienced. It is through working with this wide variation in proficiency that we have identified what we believe are The Seven Separators - the key skills that seem to separate the top facilitators from the average ones.
It takes numerous skills to be a great facilitator. But for facilitators who are already good at the mechanics and are seeking to increase their facilitation excellence, we recommend that they focus on these seven skill areas. (Continued...)
Read the full article on NetSpeed Fast Tracks...
|
|
 |
| What's New |
New: Virtual Facilitator Trainer (VFTC) Course
Reduce your training costs with web conferencing. The Virtual Facilitator Trainer Certification program is a four-week intensive course designed to give you all the skills you need to lead powerful, interactive, engaging webinar training. Our Spring 2010 sessions begin on March 1 or on May 3, respectively, and run over the course of four weeks. Learn more. Ask us about customization options for private course offerings.
|
| Upcoming Events |
You're invited to a complimentary webcast: Tuesday, January 19, 2010
From Blah to Aha: Ten Best Practices for the Virtual Classroom
Many organizations are moving rapidly to "repurpose" their face-to-face classroom for delivery online. If you are helping your organization make this change, don't miss this webinar.
See what is possible in the world of engaging, facilitated online learning. Adopt ten best practices to help you move from Blah (boring, talking head presentations) to Aha (engaging, interactive classroom facilitation).
Cynthia Clay, the author of Great Webinars: how to create interactive learning that is captivating, informative, and fun, has successfully repurposed traditional classroom exercises for high interactivity in the virtual classroom. She is committed to creating peer-to-peer learning environments that encourage learning transfer.
Join us in this complimentary one-hour webinar Tuesday, July 21, 2009 from 1pm - 2pm Eastern (10am - 11am Pacific). Learn more or register.
Would you like to see how our tracking and reporting tools work?
Learn more about our online reinforcement, and measurement/tracking tools by arranging for your own web demo. See our most recent enhancement feature: the third party evaluation utility.
For more information, complete our contact information form and include "Web Demo" in the "Additional Comments" box.
|
|
|
