9 Ways To Make Virtual Training Sessions More Engaging

VILT (Virtual Instructor Led Training) is one of the most popular modes of learning as it enables interaction, discussion and thereby better engagement. VILT is going to be widely adapted as the preferred mode for employee learning in the present and near future. However, it can still be a challenge to engage learners in virtual training programs if there is a lack of immersive learning experience.   

Here are 9 ways to keep the learners engaged during virtual training sessions.  

Set Expectations up Front 

When you begin the session, tell the learners that they are expected to participate actively throughout the program. Encourage them to disable notifications and close other browser programs. Include this information in the pre-event communication as well. It establishes the tone for the exercise and reminds the participants to concentrate. 

Engage Within First Few Minutes 

Participation and engagement are essential components of an interactive training session. Encourage participation at the start of the session to establish the expectation that you will be soliciting engagement throughout the session. 

Ask for Engagement Every 10 Minutes 

Aim for participation every 10 minutes to keep them engaged throughout the program. Drop questions every few minutes and set expectations to keep it interactive throughout. This way the learners will be active and on their toes. While it may appear that there are a lot of engagements, they don’t always have to be formal; in fact, casual engagements work best.

Wait for Responses 

You may encounter learners who are tough to draw out at times. You’ll have to wait till someone responds if you ask for participation and don’t get any. You’re telling participants that they don’t have to answer your questions if you just move on without a response. 

Create Feedback Loops 

When you ask for feedback or questions, incorporating the responses into the training shows the learners that their input is valuable. Find ways to respond to your audience’s comments so that they understand how important it is, and utilize it to change how you do the training. 

Use Technology That Works 

You can take advantage of the technology that works best for your company. Use the technology that will give the participants the best experience. Make sure to test everything, including video streaming, audio quality, and screen sharing before starting the session. The poll feature, breakout rooms, and live question and answer capabilities are some of the tools available at your disposal. 

Use Pre-Recorded Videos and Games 

You may utilize videos to communicate with your audience in a powerful way. Go ahead and enlist the services of a video vendor if you can. Ultimately, it’s about getting the idea across to the students so that they get the concept and can apply it to their work. Gamification, scoring, and leaderboards can also be used to engage learners in a fun way. Games can help learners stay engaged in class by breaking up the monotony. You can utilize games to get the necessary attention from your students. 

Be Conversational  

Keep the tone friendly and casual. Try not to recreate the school environment. Your learners will benefit from a relaxed atmosphere where they can feel comfortable engaging with you. Informal learning will prompt more responses and knowledge sharing.

Use Breakouts

Breakout sessions are an excellent approach to increase virtual training engagement. Some participants are hesitant to speak up in front of a bigger group, thus breakout sessions allow everyone to engage. 

Virtual instruction is a proven and effective mode of training. You must be purposeful in establishing an engaging setting as a virtual trainer to encourage participation and keep the audience interested. The good news is that when properly organized and implemented, virtual training experiences can rival the quality of in-person sessions.