From the course: Converting Face-to-Face Training into Digital Learning

Challenges of converting in-person training

From the course: Converting Face-to-Face Training into Digital Learning

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Challenges of converting in-person training

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- [Instructor] You are going to run into challenges as you include elements of digital learning. Let's cover some of the big ones. If you know what they are beforehand, they'll be less daunting when they appear. The biggest challenge is that you'll have far less face time with your students. This will make it harder for you to check in with them to see who needs additional feedback, to who's struggling. Also, when you're not there to constantly check up on them, it's easier for students to disengage. But perhaps the biggest challenge about the reduced face time is that you'll miss it. Another challenge is the time required to skill up on new technologies, and the frustration that arises when technical glitches pop up. And troubleshooting technical issues will arise. When you're just starting out, troubleshooting can be very frustrating, especially if you're working remotely. I remember when I was building out my first large e-learning project. I ran up against some audio-related glitch. It took me two days to figure it out. Two days in which I made no progress on the project, doubted my ability, and asked myself if I really had the stomach to regularly perform such troubleshooting work. Robust and reliable technology is rarely free, which is another issue you'll run up against, especially if your organization isn't used to paying for learning technology. The last challenge is gaining support from all the groups that are involved in the training. Digital learning, more often than not, is a blend of formats, and thus, a team effort. For example, let's say you've designed an onboarding curriculum for new sales people at your company. The program consists of two basic parts, a series of online modules that serve as a prerequisite to your weekly virtual training. The success of your virtual training depends on learners having completed the modules. However, the learners don't report to you, so you don't have control whether they complete them or not. In this instance, you'll need the support of the sales people's manager to make sure that modules get done. To gain the necessary support for a digital solution, you'll need to explain to every group involved what the training consists of, and what their role is in making it successful. This may require a bit more project management than you may be used to. Every learning format has its challenges. And now that you know the important ones you'll face, I think you'll find them a bit easier to deal with.

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