How To Create A Support System For Your Online Training Mentors
Online training mentors face numerous challenges trying to improve the knowledge of their mentees. These obstacles are compounded in corporate environments, as employees are pressed for time and have little room in their schedules for one-on-one training sessions. Thus, online training mentors have to find new and creative ways to enhance engagement and increase the productivity of trainees. In turn, online training mentors must have their own support system to open up the lines of communication and facilitate knowledge sharing. Here are 8 top tips to give your online training mentors the assistance they need.
1. Offer An Online Resource Library
The easiest way to provide online training mentors with the latest updates and training topics is to develop an online resource library. This way, they can always access a variety of electronic databases, researches, and analysis to help them prepare for tutorship. You can add important statistics, mentoring guidelines, and compliance related knowledge. This online resource library is perfect due to its constant availability, which means that online training mentors can find necessary information any time they need it.
2. Organize Webinars
A virtual webinar is a great way to gather online training mentors to discuss the most efficient teaching practices and tips. These live events allow for information exchange, and give online training mentors the ability to express their opinions and ideas. Webinars open up dialogue, alleviate concerns, and facilitate timely eLearning feedback. Mentors get the chance to benefit from the wisdom of their peers and explore different perspectives, such as innovative ways to expand their mentees' practical skill sets.
3. Incorporate Gamification
Gamification helps online training mentors and their mentees to adopt new knowledge much more effectively. It features game mechanics such as levels, achievements, bonus points, and leaderboards. Gamification has the power to boost mentor motivation, as they are able to earn rewards by broadening their own knowledge and, in turn, pass this knowledge onto their subordinates. They can also use it as a valuable tool in their own teachings. For example, award points or eLearning badges to employees who excel.
4. Start Social Media Groups
The advantage of mobile development is that online training mentors can maintain communication with colleagues round the clock. They can create social media groups, online discussions, or Facebook communities to exchange information. It allows them to make comments about the latest developments and overcome potential mentoring obstacles. While webinars can serve as exclusive, one-time events, social media groups enable participants to interact continuously. Of course, these groups must serve a specific purpose in order to stay relevant and reduce cognitive overload. It's also wise to dedicate a closed social media group to online training mentors, where they can share insider tips and techniques.
5. Equip Online Training Mentors With Instructional Aids
Always provide your online training mentors with tools so that they can impart knowledge to their peers. For example, data visualization aids that improve comprehension and make the online training content easily digestible, such as charts and infographics focusing on a job-related task. Videos and demos also leave a lasting impression. A variety of rapid eLearning authoring tools feature built-in eLearning templates which you can use to create visually stunning content. Best of all, online training mentors can also use these aids to refresh their knowledge and upskill on their own time.
6. Teach Online Training Mentors Everything About The LMS
Before you launch your online training sessions, make sure that online training mentors are well aware of all the key features and functions. Keep in mind that they are the ones who typically help team members access and utilize the online training tools. Thus, they must know the ins and outs of the Learning Management System to provide clear instructions. For example, online training mentors are there to guide employees through the login process, or to highlight certain online training courses or activities that may be of interest. Create online training tutorials, demos, and walkthroughs so that they can delve into every aspect of the tool. You can also develop a Q&A forum that covers all the basics which they can use as a quick reference.
7. Organize Online Surveys
Conducting a periodic survey among trainees is the most effective way to find out how successful your online training is. They will give you the most relevant feedback about teaching methods, content quality, mentoring skills, and the overall online training satisfaction. With the results on hand, you have the power to identify areas for improvement and maximize mentoring effectiveness. For example, include questions that focus on mentor involvement, communication, and their willingness to offer guidance. Encourage employees to be honest about their interactions with online training mentors and then use the data to develop targeted mentor support resources.
8. Gather Mentor Feedback
Mentee input can help you improve your online training and create more relevant mentorship resources. However, you should also gather eLearning feedback from your online training mentors directly. They'll be able to tell you what online training resources are lacking from your current online training library, as well as the challenges they face on a regular basis. As a result, you have the opportunity to customize mentorship online training aids based on their needs and expectations. For instance, online training mentors feel like the social media group or online discussion isn't utilized enough. Thus, you might consider more frequent posts that feature tips and resource links or encourage them to add their own prompts or questions to the online discussion.
The corporate world is ever-evolving. Companies must keep up to date with the latest trends and technologies in order to stay competitive. This puts pressure on online training mentors, who need additional help to improve employee performance and proficiency. These 8 tips can help you create an effective support system for your online training mentors so that they can offer support, in turn.
Do you need more helpful tips to create a successful mentorship online training program for your organization? Read the article 7 Tips For Developing An Effective Mentorship Online Training Program to discover 7 bits of advice to add online mentoring to your corporate eLearning strategy.
