Facilitate Proceedings » Distance Learning

When Virtual Learning Is Better Than Face To Face

Danuta McCall — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 02:44:16 +0000

Is it possible that virtual learning can be more effective and not just a compromise when budgets get cut? When might virtual learning actually be advantageous? Here’s a list of potential winners – opportunities to accomplish more in a virtual setting than in the traditional classroom.
When you look at it through this lens, transitioning from traditional learning methods to ones that work in the virtual world looks less like a necessary evil and more like an exciting opportunity.

We have just published a white paper entitled Designing Interactive Webinars to add to our webinar and article series on collaborative learning in the virtual workplace.

Collaborative Learning in the Virtual Workplace

Julia Young — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 07:30:50 +0000

Recently I have been thinking a lot about distance learning and virtual instructor-led training. This prompted me to write an article, published in this month’s Chief Learning Officer Magazine, how to make virtual learning more interactive and effective. I suggest four virtual learning strategies drawn from experience facilitating collaborative virtual meetings. These strategies particularly apply to leadership development, professional skills building and other types of learning that would traditionally be conducted in collaborative face-to-face workshop environment. This type of management training is rapidly transitioning to a blended or totally virtual learning experience and trainers will need to keep it highly interactive and collaborative.

Here’s a summary of the four virtual learning strategies. I invite your comments on the full article available online at CLO Magazine August 2009 Feature Article.

7 Steps to Effective Distance Learning in Challenging Times

Julia Young — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:01:04 +0000

Sometimes it’s hard to find the silver lining in a difficult situation – take the workplace in a recession for example. With even the healthiest companies implementing severe cut-backs and staff reductions, those who remain at their jobs often have to take on additional responsibilities. And with training being one of the first expenses to go, they struggle to acquire the skills they need to succeed.

Distance learning is one way to address the problem of building the critical skills and morale of the workers left on the scene. Nancy Settle-Murphy and I have just written an article mapping out several important steps to creating the kind of multifaceted distance learning program that will result in employees who are equipped and ready to take on the challenges during the economic downturn and beyond.