How Training Online Changed Trainers for the Better

It wasn't COVID-19 that created online training. Trainers have been using online mediums of delivery for decades, for example: distance learning courses.

The pandemic magnified various aspects of online training. Over years, a single job title of a trainer requires professional growth in order to develop a collection of online training skills. It demonstrates the intricacy of the field of online learning in the business world.

Technological infused training events bring many new ideas and evolving mechanisms to enrich the trainer's range of offerings to online learners.

With online training, trainers shift to virtual and digital versions of training content to suit the features and functions of online platforms that hold training events. For example: Converting hard copy handouts to PDF formats when handling online training in Zoom videoconferencing software.

Changes also happen through the whole training cycle. The main areas changed for the better with trainers performing the online training skills are listed below:

• In-depth needs analysis of organizations to see what the ideal response and right solution to a challenge would be.
• Automated needs analysis instruments with speed and accuracy in real time, such as Google Form shortens the time to prepare questions while collecting data for training needs happens at the same time when respondents reply.
• Create scripts and storyboards for self-paced e-learning courses.
• Create and write e-learning courses using a ready-made authoring package.
• Use Adobe Flash to create challenging simulations and games.
• Use immersive 3D role-playing software, such as Second Life.
• Create collaborative, just-in-time training environments using web 2.0 technologies with intuitive features.
• Examine organizational structures and formulate a relevant training and development with performance strategy.
• Create synchronous and asynchronous learning-based remote learning events that can be used at the convenience of online learners.
• Develop online teaching and learning materials for adult learners with different technological abilities.
• Oversee content curation and online learning communities in the social media networks, such as managing groups in Facebook during the course of online training.

As trainers, we all believe in a variance of job description for online training abilities that differs from in-person face-to-face training events. Regardless of what you precisely do, we usually describe ourselves as practicing trainers adding value to online training events.

In conclusion, a lot of diverse skills sets need to be added into a trainer's competencies list when the training profession evolves with the changes around business as well as workforce.