While I had planned to focus on experiential approaches to environmental health and safety (EH&S) programs, recent circumstances necessitated a pivot. Uncertainty about remote work arrangements and organizational adaptation has made virtual training a pressing concern.
Go Virtual Immediately. Virtual instruction through platforms like Zoom, Go To Meeting, and WebEx has become essential. Despite some organizations having distributed workforces, many haven't adopted virtual training as part of their learning toolkit.
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Recognize Quality Differences in Virtual Sessions. Organizations must avoid simply transferring classroom content online. Many organizations make the mistake of conducting "information dumps"—presenting material to dispersed audiences without interactive elements. This approach typically proves ineffective. Instead, organizations must consider desired behavioral changes and adjust virtual strategies accordingly.
Replicate Classroom Activities Virtually. I recommend specific techniques: Use chat and video for group discussions. Employ virtual hand-raising and polling for consensus-gathering. Utilize virtual whiteboards for "parking lot" questions. Allow participants to write on screens during activities. Use muting and hand-raising functions for room management. Implement breakout rooms for table activities. Schedule follow-up sessions with time for on-the-job application.
Organizations can achieve significant cost savings from virtual training. Clients have achieved full return on investment after just two implementations.