The recent pandemic outbreak has made the remote working culture indispensable for enterprises. However, training a distributed workforce continues to be a concern, especially in a landscape where many businesses are suffering losses and need to bounce back soon. Organizations need to adopt remote training models to continue upskilling their employees. However, simple online meeting tools and PowerPoint presentations are not adequate to meet the training requirements of a distributed workforce.
The most common remote training challenges that you may face when you start training your employees online are:
Lack of face-to-face supervision: Lack of face-to-face interaction and effective communication may lead to difficulty in understanding the actual content of the training.
Lack of access to information: Distributed workforce, especially those who are new to online learning, often struggle with queries like how to access the training content, how to share information with the trainer and colleagues, etc.
Social isolation: Without proper communication, and owing to isolated working conditions, many employees feel less engaged.
Technical challenges: During remote training sessions, technical issues are a common challenge for users.
While selecting a training strategy, enterprises need to consider these challenges and ensure that the chosen training technique helps employees to learn effectively.
Here are six effective training techniques for your distributed workforce:
1. eLearning
eLearning is one of the most popular and effective training techniques. You can provide your employees with secure access to specific modules through a content delivery platform, which they can access from anywhere on their devices. eLearning provides employees with the flexibility to learn at their own pace.
A cloud-based eLearning platform enables you to not only deliver content but also create content and add multimedia elements along with different activities like serious games, quizzes, and so on. These things add a new dimension to eLearning and make it more engaging and interactive for the distributed workforce.
2. Virtual Classrooms
A virtual classroom is the web version of an instructor-led corporate training session. This synchronous learning technique allows both instructors and employees to participate actively in the learning process. Virtual classes are conducted remotely through conferencing software. This training technique encourages collaboration, active participation of the distributed workforce, and engagement through a video-conference platform, helping to create a productive work environment.
The main benefit of virtual classes is the ‘presence’ of an expert throughout the session. It also allows constant interaction and a live learning experience.
3. Simulation
Simulation enables immersive learning. It helps employees to learn by practicing in the virtual environment. This way, they get a fair idea of how the concepts can be applied to the actual job. Despite the initial cost of producing tailored software or technology, simulation training can be an effective way for training a distributed workforce.
4. Learning Videos
Video-based learning is another modern training technique to educate a remote workforce. Different types of learning videos, including animated or with an actual instructor, are equally effective in conveying your thoughts to the learners. Learning videos encourage asynchronous learning, as employees can access learning videos anytime as per their convenience. They can play the videos as many times as they need to understand a concept.
Animated videos, whiteboard animation, text-based kinetic animation, explainer videos, interactive videos, webcast/podcasts—all of these are components of video-based training. Learning through videos is much more efficient than text when it comes to grasping a concept, as graphics-based deliveries are more engaging.
5. Bite-Sized Learning
In this training technique, the content is delivered in the form of small chunks of information that comprehensively addresses one learning objective at a time. This learning technique allows employees to retain information more effectively. Bite-sized learning programs are designed to enable employees to access the learning content quickly and easily while on the go.
6. Mobile learning
When it comes to training a distributed workforce, making sure they can access the content is very important. Mobile-based learning enables learners to access the training content anytime and anywhere. Certain content delivery apps such as KITABOO help learners to access the content even when offline. Using mobile devices to train employees is an effective way to make sure that they always have access to the essential information and can upskill themselves at their own pace.
Conclusion
Today’s remote working culture makes it essential for organizations to have an effective remote training strategy. In many cases, employees prefer digital learning and training as they enjoy the flexibility of eLearning methods. Designing and delivering tailored content in different remote training formats are crucial to develop your distributed workforce’s skills and confidence. To sum up, with the right training techniques, you can increase employee productivity and boost engagement.
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