Today’s increasingly remote workforce has driven companies to seek out new, innovative technological tools that can improve the productivity and learning of these teams of workers. Although you may distinguish your training atmosphere when you change background in teams, there are other strategies you should adopt to create an effective learning environment.
Building a Sense of Community
People work best when they are in supportive, safe environments where they can interact and connect with other individuals. Your staff can feel overwhelmed by virtual training. As the team lead, manager or owner, it is your job to set the tone in the training sessions.
Set community norms and expectations, and remind your staff of them during each training session. Encourage open communication, questions and collaboration. Set an inclusive atmosphere. Then, use activities to build comradery among the trainees.
Adopting Useful Tools
Your team also needs effective tools to enhance its learning capabilities. Adopting a virtual classroom with the best Microsoft Teams backgrounds can help, but your team needs more to build a sense of community. Your digital learning tools may include virtual video software, instant messaging software and software that helps your employees learn specific tasks.
Importance of Interactivity in any Curriculum
Although some individuals can learn in a strict lecture setting, most require some interaction with the materials to really solidify the knowledge. Therefore, you should find ways to encourage discussions among the staff. You may also assign projects that can be completed individually or through partnerships or groups.
Your curriculum should also be personalized to each team member. Learn what each of your learners’ needs and their expectations of the training you will be providing. The goal is to provide personal and professional growth opportunities while you train effective employees with different levels of expertise. Be sure that each student can increase their knowledge and improve their skills through your curriculum, materials and teaching style.
Encouraging Collaboration
While you are creating an interactive curriculum, provide opportunities for your staff to collaborate. This will help them get to know each other and learn how to build effective teams. You can assign anything from creating an actual product your company would produce to a service you may offer, or you can give them a theoretical assignment.
Although they may need guidance, be sure they move from the brainstorming stage through the planning and final project stages of the process. Just be sure it the collaboration projects apply to the tasks they will be completing after their training is completed.
Provide Opportunities for Reflection
Your training should have an open feedback loop. Consistent feedback allows your trainees to reflect on their work. Reflection also offers your staff the opportunity to develop problem-solving skills. It also encourages innovative and critical thinking.
Therefore, give your students free time out of the virtual classroom. Allow them time to review their work, think and write down ideas. You can also build structured reflection sessions where they can bounce ideas off of the trainers and other trainees.
As you create a comfortable yet professional training environment, consider adopting a Zoom background with company logo.