How To Provide Ongoing Learner Support In Online Training
Just because everyone is active on social media doesn’t mean they know how to use LMS platforms. Most LMS platforms are built to be simple to use and navigate but not taking the time to train corporate learners could deny them the chance to gain maximum value from the LMS platforms. This is just one of the ways that organizations miss the mark and fail to provide adequate support. Thereby, denying their employees the chance to enhance their skills and knowledge base through online training. A lack of support could also result in the corporate learners dropping online training altogether. To prevent this from happening, here are 6 simple ways to provide ongoing learners support.
6 Tips To Provide Continual Support
1. Offer Orientation To New Corporate Learners
This is the first thing that eLearning developers should do to make sure that corporate learners are familiar with the online training program. An orientation will provide corporate learners with the chance to examine the online training materials and to learn how to use the LMS. They can ask questions at this time and get further clarification on issues pertaining to the syllabus, as well as the procedures for accessing online training materials on the LMS platform. You should never assume that everyone can use the LMS, no matter how simple or straightforward it might be. Make it a priority to orient new users when deploying your online training program and follow up periodically. Explain how corporate learners can log in, where they can find the relevant online training resources, and what’s expected of them. For example, they must review the instructions, complete the online training activity, then finish up with a pop quiz.
2. Create A Moment Of Need Repository
Expand your support scope. Online training should not be strictly for new users. It should be a continuous effort so as to ensure that corporate learners retain knowledge and skills. eLearning professionals should also carry out user training when they update their systems and when they introduce new courses to the online training programs. Online training can be done using pre-recorded videos, audios, tutorials, or live stream links. You can also provide an online training library so that corporate learners are able to quickly get the information they require. For example, 5-minute demos that refresh their memory and reinforce favorable behaviors, such as how to address a customer complaint or complete a sales transaction.
3. Community-Based Learning Is The Way To Go
Online learning communities are also great in providing ongoing learners support. Members receive help from their peers on issues such as how to access online training materials and how to take tests on the LMS platforms.
Online learning communities support collaboration and ensure that corporate learners maximize the benefits of online training. They can also use these tools to participate in group collaboration projects. When members take up an assignment as a group, they will come up with different solutions to the problem. This goes a long way to enhance their skills and knowledge base. Offering ongoing learners support is not all about teaching corporate learners how to use the available resources, but to facilitate community-based knowledge sharing so that they can seek out information on their own.
4. Encourage Personalized Learning Plans
Corporate learners can only gain maximum benefits from the online training programs with active participation. This requires a lot of discipline and commitment but unfortunately, not everyone is blessed with these qualities. To help corporate learners in this regard, organizations can encourage them to set their own schedules and focus on time management. Most companies do this at the orientation stage. However, the best thing would be to do it continuously to make sure that corporate learners stay up to speed.
It’s also important to note that corporate learners probably have different work obligations and as such, a uniform schedule would not be ideal. eLearning developers should, therefore, get to know the employees before helping them to develop their online training schedules. The next step would be to help them cultivate the best learning strategies. This entails sticking to their schedules no matter what. Corporate learners may get overwhelmed if the online training content is too involved or time-consuming. Organizations can help corporate learners by dividing online training sessions into manageable bits that they can consume separately.
5. Host Monthly Q&A Sessions
Invite corporate learners to participate in monthly Q&A sessions where they can voice their opinions and concerns. This also gives them the opportunity to clarify confusion and overcome learning obstacles. Encourage corporate learners to submit their questions beforehand via social media. Then open the virtual floor to last-minute questions at the end of the Q&A event.
6. Schedule Live Support Events
Schedule weekly or monthly webinars where corporate learners can interact directly with online instructors/facilitators and peers. Ensure that every event focuses on a specific topic so that it’s easier to categorize your online training library. For example, the online training event for this week centers on customer service challenges. You can record the webinar and then post it on your repository for future reference. Thus, it becomes an ongoing support resource, in itself. Especially if you pair it with supplemental online training activities and microlearning online training tools.
Conclusion
These 6 tips can help you provide ongoing learner support so that they get all the benefits your online training course brings. Bear in mind that no two corporate learners are alike, which means that no two support plans should be alike. Research your audience to identify their needs and preferences, then create a support plan that works best for them.
