New Trainer Skills/Competencies Required?

by Susanne Conrad

Today I participated in a webinar on Online Learning hosted by a company that offers online training venues. Most interesting how sophisticated - and easy to use - this type of software is becoming!

Interestingly, the moderator polled participants with this question: "Do you currently offer online training courses?" Response rate was as follows:
Yes - 63%
No - 37%

In this economy, there are, of course, many reasons for trainers to turn more and more toward online training delivery. I'm finding more and more clients moving to, at the least, a blended learning approach to save both time and money. And, oh yes, for a more rounded learning experience.

The challenge for trainers is to continue to provide a valuable learning experience when they are not face-to-face with their audience
. This requires trainers to learn new skills/competencies themselves - for example:
> Generating content suitable for online delivery
> Adjusting interactivity and interaction for online delivery
> Technical savvy
> Ability to gauge learning given a distance learning relationship

HERE ARE THE QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION THIS WEEK:
1. What new skills/competencies have you personally developed given the rise in online training delivery?
2. How have you gained these skills/competencies?
3. What primary skills/competencies should trainers add to their personal skill sets to be effective in this online environment?

Comments

[Renie McClay]

I participate in online training on a regular basis. One of the things I notice is that most facilitators do not have the same sensitivity online that they have in a classroom. It is so easy to read groups and react when you see them face to face. Harder when it is just a voice.