Digitising your face-to-face training

Digitising face-to-face training is a challenge we’ve all faced recently. This time last year we were adapting to a new way of working. We’d packed up our desks and went to ‘work from home’. Little did we know, a year later we’d still be here. Although some have started returning to their offices, blending WFH with office-based work, many organisations still need to digitise their face-to-face training. And this need isn’t going anywhere. As we embark on Industry 4.0, our world will become increasingly digital and mobile, and our training needs to follow suit.

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So that’s why I’ve created this ‘Take 5’ video for you. Sharing with you my three top tips for converting your face-to-face training programme to online learning.

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1. Reduce cognitive overload

Reducing cognitive (and emotional) overload is paramount to successful online learning. Firstly you should provide the ‘bigger picture’ stance to your learners before they set off on their learning journey will provide them with context of what they’re learning and why. Then, while they’re progressing through whichever digital learning platform you use, give them lots of signposts, so they always know where they’re going and what they’ll get out of it.

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2. Give learner’s autonomy

Once you’ve empowered your learners by implementing tip #1, you then must give them autonomy over their learning. This might be uncomfortable for you as the trainer. You might feel you want more control. But the more control you give your participants, the better it’ll be for everybody. For instance, you might give them choices about what topics they want to research and explore. Or, you might give them the choice of which breakout room they go into (if you’re using breakout rooms, which I thoroughly recommend). Or you might give them choices on how they provide feedback from those breakout sessions. For example, one group may feedback using a cartoon on the whiteboard, another might create a diary in the style of Bridget Jones, and the last group may use a process flow. Let these factors allow your learners to choose which group they go into.

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3. Introduce physicality

Just because we’re digital, does not mean we can’t introduce physicality to our programmes. Use props and items that you can actually show, and do not just rely on your PowerPoint slide deck. You can use a prop to introduce yourself, for example, and better still, you could invite your participants to do the same. This will improve the learning experience for all involved, as despite being behind a screen, your brain will recognise and understand the object much better than they can a screen.

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So there are my three top tips for digitising your face-to-face training. I wish you the best of luck implementing these tips. But I’d also love to know if you have any other suggestions you’d like to share. Let me know on LinkedIn – and let’s start a learning revolution together.