A Trainer's Point of View: Do we prefer In-Person or Virtual Delivery?
It’s July 2021 as I write this, and we are in this strange zone of some organizations returning to work in a physical space, some staying remote, or others choosing a hybrid model. How this affects training participants is there are options of where to train. Events can be in-person, virtual, or hybrid. It’s a whole new world, and options are good. But more options need guidance to make the best decision for a particular training event.
Also, what I see missing from this conversation is asking trainers what methods we think work best and why? What is our preference? Here is my take.
In General
Every delivery method has its risks and benefits. There is no perfect delivery method where 100% of the participants have an amazing, almost out-of-body experience, at training. (I wish! Imagine my evaluations??!!)
The goal is to design a training experience that the greatest number of participants as possible receive helpful content in a relatable consumable method. After the learning event, they transfer that content to their life. The delivery method can positively impact that result.
This is my professional opinion on the different methods, as I have done all three. For this article, I will concentrate on in-person and virtual. I will address hybrid in the future.
In-Person
Prior to 2020, this was the default training method. The facilitator and participants were in the same physical space, and most activities were contained to that room, that time, and that experience.
What I Like
Energy in the Room
Over this last year, I participated in a gazillion virtual training events. Some instructors were better than others, but even the best could not capture the magic of in-person. I have felt it myself when facilitating.
Room Control
When it is in-person, as the facilitator I can control most environmental distractions to increase learning transfer. If I will be held responsible for the future success of the participants, you bet I want this control.
Audience Participation
It is easier to keep participants on task and see when a participant is struggling so I can jump in to assist.
What I Dislike
Takes More Time Training Day
In-person requires everyone to arrive early. For the trainer, we usually arrive at least one hour early to prepare the space. We are also usually dragging around about 40 pounds of equipment in workbooks, projectors, and other materials. I don’t miss that.
Cost Increase
If an outsource meeting space is used, it can substantially increase the cost of the overall event. I have sympathy for how that can impact the organization that hired me.
Physical Condition
The room can be too small, have an odd shape, have poor temperature, etc. When participants are not comfortable or me, it makes a difficult day.
Virtual
Past 2010 virtual has been a viable delivery option. It wasn’t used frequently more for the perception that participants would not pay attention, not that it technically wouldn’t work. Then COVID hit and we adapted. But as a delivery method, what do I think as a trainer?
What I Like
Convenient
Absolutely, it is convenient for everyone. I still have to be available early for the technical test, but there is no travel and no room set-up. That is physically easier on me.
Multiple Ways to Interact with Participants
I LOVE seeing an active chat flow as I facilitate. Getting that kind of immediate feedback from the participants is helpful and energizing. Overall, I find more people participate. It also helps participants reluctant to speak up in-person.
It Made Me Grow in my Discipline
As a facilitator, the push for virtual delivery has made me push my skills. I like that. It has required me to be more creative and innovative in my training design. This is good for all of us.
What I Dislike
Keeping Participants Interested
My training philosophy is it is not my job to entertain participants, but it is to keep their interest. Participants cannot see my entire body in a virtual space. I am a physical trainer. I use my hands; I use the entire room space; I sometimes act out dialogue. This keeps interest. Another extension of interest is participants have so many distractions at home. It is harder for me to keep their interest when they are watching their Inbox or phone, working from their kitchen table, or have other obligations in their physical space.
Not seeing Participant Reactions
In-person, I can see participant reactions and immediately adapt my delivery based on what I see and sense from the audience. This comes out in body language and facial gestures that I evaluate in a few seconds. In the virtual world, the thumbnail view is almost impossible to get that information. That is if participants are required to keep their cameras on, and I don’t advise it be a requirement.
The Tech Can Be a Distraction
During this COVID experience, I can’t remember one event where every participant easily logged in and/or the facilitator had all tech working. This interruption of flow is not good for learning transfer. The tech is also distracting to me as a facilitator. I am a trainer, not a techie. All speakers and trainers learned a lot over this last year, but that is not our primary role.
So where do I land, in-person or virtual? It’s the classic consultant answer, depends. I like both. I can successfully do both well. It depends on how the training event is set up, the learning culture of the organization, and the skill of the involved trainer.
As you, your business, or your clients, begin to schedule training events with these multiple options, I encourage you to make the delivery method choice a conversation. Talk about the pros and cons. Don’t make the perceived easiest decision, but the best decision for that specific event and participants.
Good luck. If I can help, just let me know.
Me facilitating Train with Stacey’s Train the Trainer class
“The goal is to design a training experience that the greatest number of participants as possible receive helpful content in a relatable consumable method.”
