Engaging online training

The article was written as part of the implementation of the Quality in Education in the Vocational Training Sector project
funded by the EEA Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 No. EOG/19/K3/W/0010.

Recently, most of the activities undertaken by trainers have moved to the Internet. Google statistics also clearly indicate that interest in the topic of remote training or e-learning has increased significantly (about e-learning these days here). The reason for this trend is well known to all of us and, with a greater or lesser love for this form of learning, one has to face this reality.

What characterizes the education industry in the broadest sense is development - so it didn't take long for newer and better proposals for conducting remote training. These solutions are, of course, aimed at the most effective transfer of knowledge. However, as is usually the case, implementing new methods comes with new challenges and uncertainties. One such challenge is the issue of sustaining the listeners' attention and, consequently, making the content conveyed memorable - and this is no small feat, due to the limitation of body movement and numerous external temptations...

Dependencies are noted, which - regardless of whether the training is conducted stationary or online - negatively affect the absorption of knowledge. We have already mentioned distractions. Few people will manage to take solid information from a lesson when their attention is focused, for example, on browsing social media. And while the listener may be physically present in class, his divided attention leads to a failure to remember most of the information being conveyed.

The second issue concerns the visible benefits of learning. If you are training employees and they don't see content directly related to their jobs or career development, they are likely to lose concentration and fail to consolidate the information in their memory.

What can you do to deliver effective classes?

• Make sure your materials are visually appealing

Nearly 65% of people are visual learners, so it is worthwhile - in addition to communicating substantive issues - to make sure that the content presented is pleasing to the eye. Focus on colors, give a different color to the information that you think is most relevant and worth remembering. It is also worth remembering that contrast inherently attracts the human eye, such as bright text on a black background and vice versa. Using presentations during a lesson is convenient for both parties, displaying pictures, questions, instructions or tasks has a positive effect on audience engagement.

• Variety is important

Recall or imagine a lecture where the presenter sits at a desk and reads the text displayed on the presentation in a monotone voice. At the very thought it gets boring! Today we have access to a vast array of apps and teaching aids that can make our lessons more interesting. The lesson should be summarized with virtual surveys and quizzes, also in the form of a competition - Google Forms, Kahoot or Microsoft Forms will help us with this. Simple changes, such as text of different sizes or styling elements in the middle with a different color than the rest of the content, can make them stand out and be remembered. Also opt for multisensory, meaning engage sight, hearing and touch: write in chat, listen to recordings, draw associations - just add variety!

• Get involved in the topic

Lots of questions and interaction with listeners will make them more alert. After all, they don't know at what point they will be asked for their opinion or answer. Critical thinking is essential for actively processing and remembering content - so encourage listeners to form their own conclusions, brainstorm and learn from each other.

Creating engaging content will probably take a bit more time. There may also be concerns about whether such a diverse form of learning will appeal to listeners. Each of us is different and each of us learns in a slightly different way that is appropriate for us. But don't be afraid to try! The development of your students is also your development, and the more you focus on original presentation of materials the better. Test different solutions and see what appeals to your listeners and what appeals to you.

Good luck!