Moving from ILT to Virtual Instructor Lead Training

Over the years, Mindmarker has helped many organizations move from event-based learning to continuous, adaptive learning. In these projects, Mindmarker has increased training impact both before and after learning events - regardless of modality (i.e., instructor-led training (ILT), e-learning, virtual learning or a blend). In virtual training programs, the Mindmarker platform serves as the adaptive, connective tissue before, during, after (and between) sessions. providing pre-learning, repeated assessments, learning reinforcement, and persistent content. 

During this global crisis, many organizations are trying to figure out how to make the most out of virtual training. The biggest challenge with moving from ILT to virtual is how to deliver the same amount of impact in much less time. Changing 8-16 hours of in-person training into 1-2 hours of virtual training is not a 1:1 fit. Therefore, the instructional designer must boil the content down to the essentials. What skills, competencies, and behaviors or learning objectives do we need to address?

A typical ILT has 2-3 core learning objectives and it can be a challenge to address them all in multiple virtual sessions. By the time you’ve transferred all the knowledge the learners need, there is little time left to teach how to use this information on the job. Mindmarker helps improve the effectiveness of the limited time we have with remote learners through opportunities to apply the learning in the context of their daily work.

How Mindmarker Supports Moving from ILT to Virtual

Before a course or section, Mindmarker can provide foundational knowledge and vocabulary which prepare and empower learners for the training event. Mindmarker can cover the knowledge portion of the training through micro-learning and on-demand resources such as blogs, articles, videos, flip cards, and other types of content.

During and after the training, Mindmarker knowledge and behavioral assessments help the organization understand training impact over time. Delivered throughout the learning journey, assessments show – through at-a-glance charts – how well the learners are understanding and adopting the knowledge and skills giving insight into where learners have gaps in knowledge, skills, and behavior. Knowing this information will help the instructor understand where they need to spend their time to maximize the results from the training.

Once we’ve successfully completed a virtual training, it is essential to reinforce learning objectives post-session. Reinforcement (and learning application) is accomplished with a blend of push and pull; reminder messages where learners apply what they’ve learned in their daily job and survey messages which ask learners to reflect on how they are doing. The gap between virtual events will determine the duration of connective Mindmarker programs. This methodology will help learners continue to develop during this crisis and help organizations move from event-based learning to continuous, just-in-time learning going forward. Mindmarker is helping many of its customers to realize strategic success by implementing continuous learning.

Written by Richard Roach