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Staying on schedule can be a challenge in both our personal and work lives. Unexpected things can arise, and you may have no choice but to deal with them in the moment. Throw some training into that mix and your plate might become full and overwhelming.
Now, imagine how our learners feel. As trainers, we want to be respectful of our attendees’ time. With that in mind, here are my three top tips to help manage time in the virtual classroom so our learners know what to expect when they log in. Show them their time is valued!
Send Out Pre-Course Emails
Sending a pre-course email is helpful to attendees as it explains what they should expect in the session, how to log in and connect, what to expect for timing, and what, if any, reading or work is to be done beforehand. This information will save time in the virtual classroom as participants should have completed the expected material and know what is coming up in the session.
Start On Time
To ensure your attendees get the most out of training, and can take advantage of every minute they have in the virtual classroom, always start on time, and do your best to avoid any delays. Encourage learners to log in early to test their connection and settle in. This way, any issues that need to be resolved can be addressed before the session starts. Being proactive and prepared will prevent the session from running later than expected. And your learners won’t leave upset because they had to stay late!
Let Learners Know Start and End Times
Creating and communicating the schedule will allow attendees to clear their calendar in preparation for the workshop. It will also help them stay focused and more engaged, as they’ll know they’re committed to the session for a specific amount of time.
Keep these tips in mind to help move things along as seamlessly as possible, manage time in the virtual classroom, and be mindful of your attendees’ schedules. What are your top tips to manage time in the virtual classroom?
Learn 15 tips for staying on schedule, how to deal with unexpected timing, flow, and content-related issues, and more in The Virtual Trainer workshop.
