Cindy Huggett - Virtual Training Basics

2018 ASTD DBA the Association for Talent Development (ATD)
All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America.
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ISBN-10: 1-947308-64-5
ISBN-13: 978-1-947308-64-0
e-ISBN: 978-1-947308-65-7

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ATDs Training Basics series recognizes and, in some ways, celebrates the fast-paced, ever-changing reality of organizations today. Jobs, roles, and expectations change quickly. One day you might be a network administrator or a process line manager, and the next day you might be asked to train 50 employees in basic computer skills or to instruct line workers in quality processes.

Where do you turn for help? The ATD Training Basics series is designed to be your one-stop solution. The series takes a minimalist approach to your learning curve dilemma and presents only the information you need to be successful. Each book in the series guides you through key aspects of training: giving presentations, making the transition to the role of trainer, designing and delivering training, and evaluating training. The books in the series also include some advanced skills, such as performance and basic business proficiencies.

The ATD Training Basics series is the perfect tool for training and performance professionals looking for easy-to-understand materials that will prepare nontrainers to take on a training role. In addition, this series is the consummate reference tool for any trainers bookshelf and a quick way to hone your existing skills.

I once worked with a client who had a Basic Tactics for class that he knewfrom both experience and researchhis trainees needed. Very few people signed up for it. After scratching our heads and doing more research, we figured out that while trainees needed it andeven betterthey knew they needed it, they didnt want their boss to know that they needed it, because they were already supposed to know that material. It was assumed that they knew it.

Before I share what we did to transform results, let me tell you why I think youre smarter than the trainees in this story. One, unlike the employees in the story I just shared, Ive never met a trainer who wasnt hungry to be a learner themselves. Two, unlike the 100-year-old industry in the story, virtual classroom technology is relatively young historically speaking. Its OK to be learning the basics right here and now. For real trainers, learning the basics is not a sign of weakness; its a sign of wisdom and strength.

Ive known Cindy Huggett a long time because were both old pros when it comes to the conferencing technology that powers virtual classrooms. Youre in good hands. Virtual Training Basics is brilliantly put together. Youll learn more stuff than you even knew to ask about; plus, the books organization itself reveals a lot about how virtual training works, and how to navigate the choices in front of you. Best of all, for a seriously scant amount of money, youll grow your mastery and add a new modality to your repertoire.

Oh, and the magic fix for the low response rate of the course in my story? Changing the titleand only the titleof the class to Advanced Tactics for. The content didnt change, but both attendance and smile-sheet ratings for the course increased.

You can add that one to your bag of tricks, too. Because if youre smart enough to buy this book, youre smart enough to beg, borrow, or steal a good idea anywhere on your own journey to mastery.

Enjoy!

Roger Courville
Chief Content Officer, EventBuilder
April 2018

The concept of e-learning in many formats has been around since 1997, as Cindy aptly describes in her first chapter. Age, however, isnt a precursor for maturity, and repetition isnt a synonym for expertise.

So while the training profession is moving into its second decade of practicing the concept of e-learning, and more specifically virtual learning, few of us have been perfecting our design and delivery. As Vince Lombardi said, Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect. Cindy gives us the tools in this book to begin to perfect our virtual training skills.

Why is this important? Most organizations are seeing an increase in the use of virtual training. Travel restrictions, budget cuts, and an increasingly technology-savvy workforce have led most organizations to rethink how they continue to meet the learning needs of their employees. Organizations are asking their trainers to deliver more content online. Trainers are expected to have the skills to design and deliver virtual training.

Unfortunately, the concept of virtual learning is still not very well understood by either organizations or practitioners. Virtual training often falls short of the quality standards expected in traditional settings. Most of these instances are due to a lack of appropriate design and limited knowledge of the skill variations required. It seems that many are still under the misperception that virtual training is simply classroom training set to a different tune. Although almost anything can be taught virtually, those who design and deliver training have not always attended to the translation considerations for both the material and the delivery skills required. Cindy addresses these differences in a way that every reader will understand.

Too often I pick up a book about technology that is way over my head. I may be lost while reading the first chapter! The most unique aspect of this book is that it doesnt assume the reader knows anything about virtual training. It starts with the basics, including definitions and explanations of the necessary hardware and software. It walks us through every aspect of virtual training, from how to set up for a class, to what the trainer needs to know about technology, to what to do when everything goes wrong.