Professional development: how do you organise motivational virtual training courses?

In this day and age, more and more are finding professional development activities online site. Where we used to come together in one space to learn, brainstorm, discuss and practice, we now mainly meet virtually. Although the form has changed, this of course does not mean that we will postpone or cancel professional development training courses.

No, professional development remains extremely important, for this reason:

You professional developmental is part of your overall personal development. It refers to the process in which you, as an employee, become increasingly aware of your own skills and talents, so that you can make optimal use of them in a company.

So we want to make sure that, as a trainer, we make an impact and that we enthuse and keep our students engaged. As a company or organisation, we want the budget we spend to professional training activities is used well and provides optimal results. And as a student, we want ourselves personally developing, in a way that is just as fun and interesting as when we were still allowed to go out.

How do you provide motivational virtual training courses for professional development?

Use mobile phones to your advantage

Mobile phones and other devices (laptops, tablets, etc.) can sometimes cause irritation for trainers and teachers. Today's students are simply busy and easily distracted. And that's where the phone pops up again. Do the students still listen to what is being said?

You can also turn this around and let the mobile phone capabilities work to your advantage. There are so many useful and fun apps you can use to motivate yourself for personal growth to let it rise.

For example, how about keeping a poll, actively using social media (Facebook groups, a private Instagram account) or creating a joint bulletin board?

Encourage as much interaction as possible

There are many ways to personal interaction to stimulate as much as possible and to imitate face-to-face training courses. Have a brainstorming session where you track the “results” on a digital whiteboard, host a debate, role-play applying learned skills, start a chat discussion, or use group activities. Also, encourage participants to get to know each other better and to make and keep in touch. This way, they can practice or discuss what they have learned at any time. Or even motivate and consult each other outside the training.

Use “break-out rooms”

Break-out rooms are ideal for facilitating group work. Because students work together in smaller groups, they get to know each other better and can focus on a defined theme. Did you know that using break-out rooms:

• Intrinsic motivation raises
• Contributes to achieving learning goals
• Reduces stress and anxiety during the learning process
• Stimulates critical thinking and reasoning
  

So many reasons to use break-out rooms when you provide training about personal growth!

Provide help and support

It is important for students to feel and experience that they are not alone and that they can ask for help from fellow students and/or the trainer at any time. A number of ways to facilitate this are:

• The ability to ask questions in the community
• Giving a Q&A
• Creating infographics
• Provide access to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) at all times
• Creating visual checklists
• Making short instructional videos
  

So don't leave your students to fend for themselves, but make sure they know where to go with questions or comments. A convenient way to achieve this is by using a digital learning environment. Here, your students will find all the necessary information and contact options in one place.

Reward commitment

Who doesn't like receiving a medal or certificate? Or a gift card or other prise? Using rewards, no matter how small or funny, contributes positively to students' motivation to participate in the course. Add game elements, organise a competition and reward positive efforts.

Want to know more about adding game elements? Then also read: 3 examples of gamification in e-learning.

Want to know more about self-development?

In short, there are many fun and active ways you can also virtually encourage students to attend professional development to participate.

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