Virtual Training

18Essentials of VILT Course Design

As you know by now, our objective with virtual instructor-led training (VILT) is to make it as close an equivalent to a physical classroom experience as possible. However, when it comes to instructional design, there are differences between the in-person and virtual courses.

Effective VILT course design requires an intentional and deliberate focus on shaping content for virtual delivery. This includes:

• Chunking the content so it can be easily absorbed
• Sequencing the content in the right order to enable learning and drive engagement
• Designing breakout exercises
• Providing experiential learning assignments and activities between sessions
• Blending self-paced e-learning content into the curriculum
• Using on-screen media appropriately

The most effective design methodology is a blended chunk, sequence, and layer approach. Blending is the most powerful training modality because it combines multiple learning elements to facilitate knowledge transfer, application, and actualization in the real world.

Over the course of this chapter and the next, I'll give you a broad overview of VILT instructional and media design. This is not and should not be considered a comprehensive nor academic look at virtual training instructional design. I'd need to write another entire book to cover every nook and cranny of virtual course design.

 I'll cover the key components ...