Secrets to Online Learning … in the World of Social Distancing

The future of learning is virtual. Most of us love this convenient option and currently partake in e-books, podcasts, webinars and need-based micro-learning. But for the time being, these “optional” choices are expanding and rapidly becoming a necessity served up as a “safe” learning option.

In American suburbs, driveways host an extra car or two these days, as college and high school students return or stay home … to complete the semester’s coursework online.

For the workforce, it’s a new age of social distancing and working from home, with online training and professional development offering the convenience, accessibility (and 6 feet of space) learners need now.  

How can you get the greatest return from live virtual training?

Here are a few considerations for before, during and after:

Prepare in advance. Before the training, create the right space, have the right technology and go in with the right mindset.

• Your space: When you’re learning online, it’s easy to get distracted. So, consider how to eliminate or minimize those distractions. Choose a quiet space (or consider using headphones or earbuds). Get your snacks and drinks ready at your desk. Turn off your phone so you won’t be interrupted. Log in 10-15 minutes early.
• Your technology: Would a second screen make your experience better? Being able to watch the training while you work through exercises or search for answers enhances your experience. (Use two monitors or two separate computers). You could also use your phone as a second screen in a pinch as long as you have the self-control to avoid using the second screen or device to check email or access social media. You wouldn’t have your email open in an actual classroom, so don’t do it virtually either.
• Your mindset: Consider your training goals in advance … and prepare. Whether it’s HR recertification, new manager skills, software updates, or a hundred other business skills, know what your learning goals are. What do you hope/need to learn? Then consider what you can do to explore the topic on your own in advance. By familiarizing yourself in this way, you’re more prepared and you will retain more information as your brain has already been introduced to some of these concepts in a preliminary way. (Short-term memory is small.)

Participate during. Remember that an online learning environment doesn’t mean you’re alone. It does mean, you’ll need to take responsibility for processing new information (thinking) and staying engaged so new information sticks with you.

• Connect with your virtual classmates, give input, ask and answer questions. Make full use of the instructor who is present. (You can always look for additional answers after the online event if you need to.) As you’re contributing to online discussion, write in complete and clear sentences. Ask clarifying questions as soon as possible, so concepts can be further explained … before the topic moves forward.
• Give the training your full attention. Don’t text or search the web (or try to make lunch for your bored kids).
• Stay engaged by taking notes — writing down key words and phrases, connecting new information to something you already know, and using your imagination to visualize new concepts.

Review, share and explore after. Just as with face-to-face learning, by processing the information, using what you’ve learned right away, sharing it with others and giving yourself additional exposure to it, new knowledge is more easily retained and new skills become habits. 

• Review your notes and then summarize what you remember. Look up the things you couldn’t recall rather than racking your brain for them, suggests verywellmind.com.
• Identify several things you want to incorporate into your work right away. You can jot these ideas in the margins of your notes or highlight them throughout your training session.
• Share what you learned with others. The process of explaining information to someone else helps you better retain it.
• Get more exposure to the topic after the training. At the very least, re-read your notes. Better yet, find supplemental learning materials (books, online articles, etc.) Repetition is important. I once spoke with a woman in a training class I attended who had been to the same class three times as part of a subscription learning platform. She explained her rationale for this repetition. “The first time I did the training it was too early and although it was a great overview, I wasn’t in a position to apply what I learned. The second time, I picked up some of the information, and the third time, I was in the right place professionally and was able to really absorb everything.”

As more and more individuals and organizations consider live online learning as a way to continue developing workers in these uncertain times, know how to get the best from these experiences. By preparing in advance, staying engaged during and reinforcing information after the training, you’ll be able to use more of what you learn.