Designing Digitally
04/20/2021
Over the past few years, the online learning industry has seen steady growth. At present, more businesses than ever before are using eLearning tools to grow employee efficiency and encourage knowledge acquisition while boosting job satisfaction and employee retention rates. Despite the increasing popularity of virtual training, unevenly equipped organizations struggle to convert instructor-led training (ILT) to remote training.
Before discussing the main eLearning conversion tips, it's essential to clarify why switching to online learning is necessary to redefine your business during these trying times. With worldwide lockdowns still in place, employees from all industries suffer drastic work-related changes. Although proving continuous growth, the remote work industry is visibly under pressure due to the global coronavirus pandemic.
Working from home and remote training sessions can have a different impact on each of your staff members. Some might feel more relaxed due to having more time to spend with their loved ones and even empowered towards professional growth. Others might feel overwhelmed and lost, mainly if they are not very tech-savvy. In any case, remote work is here to stay. The best first step forward is converting ILT to eLearning to ensure your employees stay connected to the workplace community and know their jobs.
Transitioning from ILT to remote training implies having or building a platform onto which to transfer information. If you have hired an instructional designer or professional eLearning developer then you are one step ahead of the competition. Your designer will be able to assess your employee learning needs, formulate a plan for converting whatever programs you already have, and recommend the right platform for your needs.
Learning about your employees means taking an active initiative in improving your business. This step is even more critical when converting ILT to eLearning. You will need to figure out what proficiency your employees have with the online platform they will use for remote training. You'll also want to ensure they are doing all right throughout the transitional process. Building an online community is an excellent way to keep everyone connected and engaged.
In this step, you or your developer will assess which existing training courses are transferrable, which are not, and which will need a complete revamp. It is the perfect time to create a database of assets that employee trainees can access whenever they need a recap.
There are many details to be worked out, but most likely, the kinks will start coming out during your testing phase. Some companies do not have the luxury of two or three weeks. So the more experienced your remote training developer, the better. They'll be able to problem solve as you go, ensuring minimal wasted time.
You can then run the program as a complete course and collect all data on employee proficiency, user interface, and overall course completion. Fix what needs fixing and move on to the next iteration.
You might notice that employee learners will need further help and support after training completion. Make sure you're offering them a space for discussion and constructive criticism, as well as extra resources for deepening their understanding. Try to have a remote support team ready to answer all queries regarding the training program, or at the least, a comprehensive Q&A section for them to browse.
It is fair to assume that the world was already heading in the direction of predominant online work, but the coronavirus pandemic has expedited the process. Not everyone can quickly transfer employees to remote work overnight. Preparing your workforce for remote training can be easier if you follow these eLearning conversion tips. For more help with training your remote employees, download our eBook, Preparing Your Remote Workforce: Tips and Tricks for Virtual Employee Training, today!
If you want to talk with an expert, contact us for more information. We are happy to help you find the best solution for your learning and development needs.
Please note this article was updated by our team on 4/20/2021.
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