81.7% of the participants are of the opinion that good virtual learning is - and hopefully remains - more than just a stopgap measure.

Home office, homeschooling, but also home coaching and home training (no, not just cycling in the basement): these are immense changes for all of us, but they work. Sometimes better, sometimes not quite as well - that needs to be said openly here. The advantages and disadvantages of virtual learning formats and how to make them work (even) better can be read in this article. In the closing round of my surely over 40 online learning formats (and over 200 participants), I repeatedly ask to what percentage virtual training corresponds to an in-person course? The worst results are at 50% - this came from an older lady (without wanting to fulfill stereotypes) who said at the beginning of the interactive online workshop: "I don't need this modern nonsense." By the way, everyone could hear her because her microphone was on loud... Many participants choose a value around 80%. And there are best scores of 100% and even 110%, with the statement that virtual training is more effective and efficient. The average effectiveness & efficiency of online training formats compared to in-person training, according to my research, is 81.7%! I wouldn't give much more than 90%. Personally, I especially miss the more intense emotional connection and complete relationship with my participants, even though we mostly see each other face-to-face via online video. And a shared, pleasant learning environment in a nice hotel or learning place clearly motivates all participants. After all, these are overall numbers that are quite above the Pareto optimum, confirming the meaningfulness and success of virtual classrooms! Moreover, which in-person training is truly 100% perfect? How we can further increase these values should be shown by the following basic success factors for online further education:

1. Openness of all to engage in the format: we probably all know participants or trainers who do not want to or cannot engage in the electronic medium
2. Content suitable for online delivery: agile methods, for example, are easier to learn via computer than emotional conflict management, which has already been proven successful
3. Trainers or training institutes and participants investing in the necessary hardware: e.g. lighting, high-performance laptops, good internet contracts with fast connections to avoid any freezing or failures
4. Appropriate professional use of the right and suitable virtual tools a) Video conferencing platforms: Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts, Webex, or Zoom as my personal favorite due to the good features and usability for breakout rooms in small group exercises b) Interactive collaboration software: Mural, Google Jamboards, or Miro, which I can only recommend and consistently receive positive feedback from participants

And here are the crucial 10 benefits of virtual live trainings and digital collaboration in general:

1. Global access: I once had a participant from Canada who joined at 1 a.m. his time and voluntarily participated in all virtual modules until 9 a.m. his time!
2. Greater flexibility: learning time and speed can be even more individually adjusted, which of course also requires online small groups (max. 10 virtual participants - otherwise not everyone can actively participate)
3. Quick adaptation possibilities and updates to always stay up-to-date, e.g. incorporating current information via PC of all participants at short notice
4. Reduced travel times & costs as well as no investment in hotel seminar rooms and catering - for companies, participants, and trainers alike
5. A cross-hierarchical, more relaxed digital collaboration: even though I had two groups that still used formal address - I offered my "Du" and stuck to it...
6. Direct saving of results: as downloads, video recordings, or screenshots and PDF results, documentation can be done directly on PCs
7. All participants often have a higher share in speaking, as everyone is involved simultaneously and intensively in the exercises (synchronous learning even for more introverted participants)
8. Comfortable entry & scalability: whether from home office or office, everyone gets easy access and if recorded, the training is available 24/7. Less Post-It consumption: virtual Post-Its save fewer trees than real sticky notes and moderation cards, but they require more electricity J
9. Lastly: With the virtual classroom, we all enhance our own crucial digital competencies and can use tools like online whiteboards in other workshops and meetings as well

Not everything that glitters is gold, as is well known. Of course, there are also some disadvantages to online training (but you will read in the following section how to deal with each of them: Disadvantage No. 1 is addressed with Recommendation No. 1, etc.)

1. Medial interpersonal exchange: we are no longer standing or sitting together in one place or room
2. Higher effort: even after many months with online training formats, participants and trainers still report that it is more exhausting compared to in-person formats (also to maintain concentration)
3. Extensive learning of new online tools/technology: as user-friendly and almost intuitive as they are, we all need to familiarize ourselves with them first; at the beginning of a virtual workshop, it takes longer for everyone to find their way around the digital applications
4. Technical nervousness or problems and additional effort: you have probably experienced that sharing screen presentations or videos sometimes doesn't work, or the technology freezes; simultaneously controlling virtual tools and conveying the training content is demanding and almost a double burden for the trainer or presenter
5. Lack of movement in front of the screen: especially interactive in-person trainings have promoted movement through group work and activating exercises, the days or months of sitting in front of the screen are not very healthy

Now here are my personal recommendations for more successful online workshops and virtual trainings/coachings:

1. "Camera on": at least through the computer, we should look into each other's eyes and at least perceive some of the body language; supposed 'excuses' like "too little bandwidth" are no longer valid in most parts of the world; shared virtual coffee breaks or lunches in front of the screen can be suitable depending on the participant group, after all, virtual whiskey tastings are also successfully implemented
2. Shorter learning units and (even) more breaks plus high discipline: what already applies in in-person training is even more important in online formats: take frequent short breaks and then switch back on promptly
3. Pre-learning about technology: the importance of real familiarization with the technology was openly admitted by a chairwoman recently: "Due to time constraints, I had only watched the video of the technology introduction instead of actively participating live - and it's not the same..."; I then had to dedicate her 10 minutes of a break and provide 1:1 'tutoring'
4. Stay calm and use help if it doesn't work technically: all participants can help each other and in the worst case, simply take a 10-minute break to solve the problems; for the first own online trainings, use a tech-savvy co-moderator who can intervene and possibly offer a back office/second-level support team that can help participants in the background via phone or email, so that the course is not "disturbed"
5. Movement exercises in front of the screen: whether back stretches and twists, eye focusing exercises (near vs. distance) or clapping the whole body, there are various videos with exercises for working at the screen
6. Restart the computer before starting: and please close all unnecessary programs so that the memory is fully available
7. Drive exciting and fun ideas forward as in the ideation phase in design thinking through the mentioned virtual collaboration tools, among others, an idea like a knowledge quiz like Jeopardy is often well received
8. Continuously gather and provide feedback and thus constantly improve and develop - also in between in virtual training and not just at the end of the training

So to all of you: Even more success in the varied use of virtual workshops, trainings, and coachings! Online training could and should continue to be a part of us - keyword Hybrid Learning! Let's all work seriously and professionally on expanding the digitization of learning. Not like a large training institute that offers 181 digital trainings, but this only represents 9% of the total offer - so 91% are in-person trainings. Also interesting: in the course "Digital Business," currently 16 options and only 1 (!) digital event are offered. 😂 Last but not least - not just for myself: Buying products online is usually much cheaper than in physical stores because the latter have high personnel, rental, storage costs, etc., which can largely be saved via the internet - this is NOT the case in virtual training, it even requires more intensive preparation (e.g., setting up collaboration boards); so please let's not lower prices, as we are all already saving on hotel and travel costs and times 😊 What are your experiences with the use of virtual further education formats and pricing, and what is your opinion on at least partially continuing them in the future? I look forward to your insights... Best regards and stay healthy Yours Arndt Schmidtm