Virtualised! A decade of lessons in online learning

In March 2020 social distancing resulted in an unexpected yet extremely successful rebrand for online learning. The fact that we were suddenly propelled into a world where we couldn’t be together face to face shifted the perception of what could or couldn’t be done online quickly and dramatically. Zoom famously saw a sudden increase of users from 10million to 200 million in the month of March alone. Mural became a household name and video-call fatigue became a known thing.

Virtual learning, online learning, remote training – whatever you want to call it, it was here!

Yet virtual learning isn’t actually new. I’ve been working in the evolving online and virtual space for more than a decade. Not because of a global pandemic, but because there are times when it is the best option for learning.

Here are just a few of the things I've learned along the way:

Purpose Matters - Why are you doing it and what do you want to be different as a result? If you are super clear on this the rest of the decisions get easier.

Interesting content with no coherent thread or obvious outcome will make it challenging to make design decisions or create any meaningful participant engagement.

Cool content becomes useful content when we know why it’s being shared, how it might be relevant and what if anything we’re expected to do with it.

As a starting point, do you want people to walk away knowing new things or doing new things as a result of what they’ve learned?

Get super clear on the why of your learning experience and what you hope will be achieved.

It’ll create a much better experience for you and your learners.

Still a ‘Space’ – The virtual space is still a ‘space’. Think of it like one. The same way you would if you were in-person.

This means you consider and do a lot of the same things that you would if you were physically in the same room.

Start in a meaningful way, create opportunity for participants to connect to each other, interact together, share experiences and reflect.

You show up fully and invite participants to do the same whilst you hold the space.

Creating a space where people will connect, share, collaborate, create and feel psychologically safe online is just like walking into an unfamiliar room. You need to adjust to your surroundings, but once you get your bearings it’s entirely possible.

Virtual is not worse - It's different. You can create connection & meaningful learning of a high calibre. But you need to believe this is possible.

I've run experiential exercises, interactive fireside chats, leadership and team development sessions online. As someone who values the importance of human connection it's been amazing to realise how much we can do in the virtual space.

In facilitation, an awareness of what you believe matters. Without awareness it will unintentionally influence what you do in some way.

If you believe virtual is worse than in-person, it will be. Choose a different belief.

Ignore Prep time at your peril - It will take more time to prepare than you anticipate. Allow that time.

Online learning in many ways can be more committing than an in-person session. Whether you’re sharing content that people access on their own, or running a live session on Zoom, it’s simply more challenging to tweak your content as you go.

Your content is posted online, your slides are uploaded, timing is much less flexible and it’s more challenging to pull out a flip chart and pivot mid-session.

As a guideline, the 80/20 rule probably applies here where 80% of your time is prep, planning & practice, and 20% is actually running a session.

Allow that time. You and your learners will be grateful for this.

Intentional beats shiny – Including the right content, activities, structures, questions, and conversations will beat shiny but irrelevant tech or tools. Every time.

We’ve all experienced this in some form. The trainer has clearly learned some new process or has new tools, so we’re using chat, collaboration tools, interactive activities, new video tech, and breakout rooms. Cool right!

Except when they’re not actually adding any value to our learning experience.

Don’t get me wrong, the tools we have available now are amazing!

Yet having the tools at our disposal isn’t the same as choosing when and how to use them.

Once you know your intention, let that guide your decision on the best way to achieve it given the tools at hand.

Letting go – Online content creates opportunity for high-levels of learner autonomy and ownership. Embrace this!

When you don’t have people in a room with you it can feel like you have less ‘control’ over the learning experience. That’s because you do.

And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

I often give participants solo reflection time during a session. To do this I need to trust that they will use the time wisely, trust that they will ask if they need help, and (this is the super important bit) trust that they will come back.

Creating learning isn’t about control. Our learners are adults. Embrace their adultness.

Instead of trying to control in order to ensure engagement, make what you do so good that they choose to engage.

Frictionless – Make it easy. Complicated is not better. Super easy to access, understand and navigate is more likely to be embraced. This includes before, during and after.

Beforehand this looks like straightforward instructions, choosing technology people know or can easily access, and setting really clear expectations.

There’s nothing worse than logging onto Zoom to discover the workshop is a ‘camera-on intimate & interactive’ session when you’re ready for a ‘pyjama wearing camera-off webinar’.

A colleague of mine at Google refers to this as “Making it Frictionless”. Do everything possible to reduce friction and increase the likelihood that they’ll engage throughout.

You want people to be compelled to engage, not forced to.

Be More…Clear. Directive. Concise. Deliberate.

This is one of those small things that can make a really big difference.

When it comes to inviting and valuing contributions, being more structured and directive than you might be if you were in person will go a long way.

Particularly with large groups or new groups.

Vague open questions, and a lack of structure often fall flat on video.

Simple techniques like you choosing the next person to introduce themselves or creating a structure for how to answer a question can dramatically shift the dynamic of your session.

Being more clear and deliberate keeps people engaged.

It also creates a sense of ‘we’re in this’. There’s no place to hide!

Be brave – Play, experiment and have fun!

Playfulness and experimentation are important aspects of learning and facilitation.

And if we never pushed the boundaries of what could be done, we wouldn’t have the vast array of options and experience to draw on for virtual learning that we have today.

Plan to try new things.

Create space for participants to experiment.

Make time for a more light-hearted elements and time to be playful.

There is a difference between experimenting and poor preparation. Lean into the unknown in a way that increases engagement and doesn’t waste people’s time.

Laugh, be brave, and push the boundaries of possible.

Facilitation matters - Facilitation is (still) a Game Changer!

It’s probably not surprising to hear me say that. But it’s based on real experience.

Having lots of great tools and someone who isn’t equipped to engage with participants, create the space, and read the space will not create a meaningful learning experience.

In the same way that a technical expert isn’t always able to help people learn their area of expertise.

Great Facilitation will make the experience.

If you have to choose between investing in lots of tech & tools or fabulous facilitation, choose facilitation.

Always.

My final learning, dare I say it, is that some things are still better in-person.

There is still value in being together in the same physical space and doing things together.

It is easier to create connection, build relationships, create engagement and read the room when we’re in the same room.

This fact doesn’t however mean we can’t create meaningful online experiences with people.

And that’s important.

What became clear to me in writing this list was that each item is relevant whether we’re together or apart. They’re things we can think about in our facilitation and when creating learning no matter what the physical format. When it comes to developing people we should be as deliberate in the space we’re most comfortable in, as we are in the space that’s new to us.

If virtual has you on your toes, that’s great news! It’s a chance to challenge yourself to discover what’s possible, to become more aware of your own preferences or habits and to take everything you learn to become even better at creating learning that is engaging, meaningful and purposeful.

If you want support creating purposeful virtual sessions get in touch for a free 30min (no obligation) brainstorming session

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