Getting the most out of online learning!

The rise of online learning is one of the best (professional) developments of our strange new world.

Organisations have pivoted their hiring and on boarding strategies and revolutionised the way they train and develop.?

What is easy in the classroom or at the desk doesn't always translate to an online medium however.?

Training sessions need to be shorter to reduce the chance of Zoom fatigue, we need to be smart about how we encourage healthy discussion and interaction, and topics that previously would need a practical application need to be workshopped in a way that still lands.

So whilst you can guarantee that your Trainer is working their socks off to ensure your training sessions are still fun, engaging and successful, what should you, the Trainee, be doing to also ensure you get the most out of your online training?

So here we go, my tips for you, the Trainee, to ensure you are maximising your opportunity for success in an online learning environment!

Number 1- KEEP. YOUR. VIDEO. ON.

I am at risk of going off on a tangent with this one, so I have restrained myself and broken it down into three key points:

1. It creates accountability for you to stay engaged and not get distracted by your phone, email, the fridge etc?

2. It makes a big difference to the Trainer to be able to read your energy- 80% of communication is non verbal! It's extremely hard to know when you need a break, when a topic isn't landing, or when you have hit capacity if you can't communicate with us.?

3- It's rude- there I said it. I have my video on, you have your video on, this is a two way conversation. It makes me feel uncomfortable talking to a blank screen, and it makes other attendees, who have their videos on, feel uncomfortable too. And if you aren't in an environment where you can have your video on, are you in an environment where you can actually take in the learnings either?

Make notes-?No you cannot have my slides. You will NEVER look at them.

I promise you. Taking down notes is proven to help imbed information. You don't need to write down everything. Just the key points that resonate. Read them straight after. Create an action plan to implement at least 1 or 2 of them. Develop a notes system that you will actually want to revisit. You never know when you might need them.?

Know your limits- All of us have different concentration levels.

If you know you are easily distracted, have you set yourself up in an environment where you will reduce the chances of that happening? Have you armed yourself with (healthy) snacks to keep your energy up? Are you hydrated? Is your partner/dog/Mum likely to have a chat with you in the middle??

Jokes aside, as someone diagnosed with ADHD, I fully understand how difficult this can be.?

If you are concerned about concentrating for the length of the session, discuss this with your Trainer- they may be able to introduce more breaks, reduce the session time or work out a strategy to help you. If we don't know, we can't tailor to your needs.?

Ask questions- There is never a stupid question. Ever.?

If you are thinking about it, chances are someone else is too. Be brave. I always encourage questions. Sometimes you might even prompt me to cover something I hadn't even thought of. The trainee becomes the trainer etc etc.

Provide feedback. It is hard to provide constructive feedback- it's even harder to receive it.

But as the receiver of the Training, you are in the best position to provide objective feedback. And I want it. I want my training sessions to be the best they can be. So that you will actually learn.

If you only take one thing from this article-turn your video on. Pretty please.?