There are many types of barriers when you try to learn from a virtual classroom. One of them involves receptive barriers. This typically refers to the factors that can compromise the openness of participants in accepting an online training program. Although it is clear that online training programs are helpful, it is not always viewed as such. More often than not, these are considered to be a disruption that will keep the employee from completing their usual tasks.
Of course, we know better than that. Although it will disrupt their usual schedules, it will help them in the future. The disruption is a temporary setback that they need to deal with. But then again, you need to prove that to them. The challenge is how you will make them want to learn despite the way it can ruin their daily schedule.
To solve this problem, you simply have to know the elements that you will place in the virtual classroom to make the participants more receptive. Here are tips that you can use.
Keep the online group collaborations open.
Sometimes, we cannot see our own imperfections. We need the opinion of others in order to see that we do need certain lessons to improve our productivity. The thing is, you need to setup a platform that will allow participants to interact with each other so they can get this valuable feedback. An online group collaboration is the best way to do this. As you observe, you can also benefit from the insight that you will get out of every discussion. You can get hints on what the participants are expecting from the course.
Be clear about the real-world benefits.
If the virtual classroom will take the employees from their usual tasks, it is important to give them a valid reason why this is worth their while. That means you need to show them the real-world benefits of the course. It has to be very clear. Do not explain it, show it to them. A simulation should be a great tool to use at this point.
Give them options.
This makes participants feel like they are in control. They should be able to choose when to access the virtual classroom when it is convenient for them. In case the course requires all participants to be online at the same time, at least give them the option to go back to certain parts of the course. That way, they can go back to the parts that they did not fully understand. You should also make the course accessible across multiple platforms. Making them feel in control of the learning process will allow them to feel less stressed despite the many responsibilities that they have to juggle.
Make it look fun.
Finally, you have to make sure that it will look fun. If they have to disrupt their work, it has to be something that will make them enjoy. That means you need to use elements like gamification or social media. In gamification, you are making the course competitive and entertaining. Not to mention the fact that games can make the virtual classroom engaging and interactive. When it comes to social learning, we humans love to interact. Use it to your advantage by tapping into social media platforms. Use social media groups, online discussion, etc.
Consider these 4 when you are creating the virtual classroom that you will use to train employees. The more they see the value of the course, the more receptive they will be to complete it.
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