The document outlines 10 best practices for delivering effective virtual classroom training. They include trimming content for the online format, adding visual elements, planning interactivity every 3-5 minutes, having a facilitator and producer team, rehearsing, using clear speaking skills, starting and ending on time, allowing silence for responses, having a backup plan, and gathering feedback for continuous improvement. The goal is to make virtual training as interactive, engaging and effective as in-person sessions.

1. 10 Best Practices for Virtual
Classrooms
Moving face-to-face training to delivery
in a virtual classroom
By Darlene Christopher
Copyright 2011 D. Christopher

2. Virtual Classroom Training is...
• Interactive
• Engaging
• Convenient
• Effective
Copyright 2011 D. Christopher

3. However some virtual classrooms are…
• Boring
• Disorganized
• Frustrating
• Ineffective

4. Follow these 10 best practices to deliver
top-notch training in a virtual classroom
Copyright 2011 D. Christopher

5. 1. Content Matters
• Don’t dump your slides used in face-to-face
training into a web conferencing tool and
expect a successful session.
• Trim your content, create
pre-work/post work and
optimize remaining content.
Copyright 2011 D. Christopher

6. 2. Dress it Up
• Add images to convey key concepts.
• Replace text heavy slides with images.
• Pay close attention to copyright rules.
Copyright 2011 D. Christopher

7. 3. Keep it Lively
• Plan to interact every 3-5 minutes.
• Use polls, chat, white boarding, breakout
rooms and status icon changes.
• The interactivity will take time, which is why
you need to trim your content (see #1).
Copyright 2011 D. Christopher

8. 4. Pair Up
• It’s difficult to talk, read and type at the same
time. These tasks need to be shared.
• The facilitator is the subject matter expert
who does most of the talking. He or she pairs
up with a producer who is the web
conferencing expert and does most of the
reading and typing.
Copyright 2011 D. Christopher

9. 5. Practice Makes Perfect
• Rehearse with a mock audience. Otherwise,
call it a pilot and “rehearse” the first time you
deliver your training, with your live audience.
• Rehearse a complete delivery to ensure you
can cover the material and exercises in the
allotted time.
Copyright 2011 D. Christopher

10. 6. Find Your Voice
• The facilitator’s voice carries additional
importance.
• Use clear and precise language.
• Avoid slang and monotony.
• Record your rehearsal and hear it for yourself.
Copyright 2011 D. Christopher

11. 7. Show Time
• Log in at least 30 minutes early, then start and
end on time.
• Engage the audience early, exposing them to
the interactive features (chat, polls, audio,
status icon changes, polls).
Copyright 2011 D. Christopher

12. 8. The Sound of Silence
• Your audience needs time to process a
question or read a poll and determine how
they will respond. Typing a response in the
chat area requires even more time.
• Resist the urge to jump in and break the
silence. Let your participants fill the pause
instead.
Copyright 2011 D. Christopher

13. 9. Have a Plan “B”
• Log in as a host/presenter on your computer.
Have an extra computer logged in as a
participant next to you. That way you can see
the participant view and you have a back up
computer.
• Keep screen shots handy in a PowerPoint, if
you plan to do application sharing.
• Think of other back-up plans
specific to your needs.
Copyright 2011 D. Christopher

14. 10. Rinse. Lather. Repeat.
• Conduct an online evaluation during the last
few minutes of your session.
• Debrief with your delivery team immediately
after your session concludes.
• Incorporate feedback from attendees and the
delivery team into your training program for
continuous improvement.
Copyright 2011 D. Christopher

15. About Me
Darlene Christopher is a virtual classroom
professional and author of The Successful Virtual
Classroom. She designs and delivers training in
virtual classrooms for global audiences at the World
Bank Group. Follow her blog at:
darlenechristopher.com
Copyright 2011 D. Christopher
Photo credits: Microsoft