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What is synchronous training?
Synchronous training refers to instruction that is led by a facilitator, over the web, in “real time.”
Participants are interacting at the same time, but not from the same place.
Synchronous training closely mirrors a classroom experience, but don´t fall into the trap of trying to replicate the traditional classroom because synchronous training has its own unique characteristics and interaction strategies.
How is synchronous training different from asynchronous training?
While asynchronous training (the most common form of e-learning) caters to just-in-time needs, synchronous training provides the training needed where the participant needs it.
Characteristics of synchronous mirror many of the traditional classroom training experiences, such as:
In addition, one of the greatest benefits of synchronous training is that people in different geographical locations and personal situations can be involved at the same time – from whatever location they choose.
For example, imagine you have to roll out a product update to your international sales team.
A one hour synchronous presentation can accommodate this dilemma.
A number of sales people can log in from wherever they are, a short presentation can explain the changes, application sharing can demonstrate how the change works in practice, and a live conversation can occur between the participants, the instructor and managers or product designers.
Anyone who was unable to participate in the live presentation would be able to watch a recording on a just-in-time basis.
Reference materials could be sent to all participants either in advance, or following the synchronous session.
When should I use a synchronous classroom?
You should use a synchronous classroom when:
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Real-time interaction with experts is critical. When participants need to have questions answered before they can move on, or the trainer must observe that a skill has been mastered, you need to be in a live environment.
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Face-to-face interaction is NOT critical. Some programs require that the trainer be in the same room with participants in order for the program to be successful. “Lab” courses for hardware specialists (physically building computer systems) might be a good example. However, pre-lab and post-lab lectures might be conducted in an online format. This would be a great opportunity to blend training technologies.
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Your audience is dispersed throughout large geographic area. If participants are not all located in the same place, synchronous events minimize travel time and expenses.
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The topic is critical enough that you must ensure that participants completed the training. Asynchronous instruction may be appropriate for teaching the content, but participants might not feel motivated to complete the asynchronous work. Using a synchronous event as a follow-up to asynchronous work might provide the impetus for participants to complete the requirements.
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You have a new product or an update to an existing product and need to update your workforce. Use the synchronous environment to get product information out to your sales teams and customers. A combination training/marketing event can inexpensively create value for your clients.
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Your workgroup needs to collaborate and can use the collaboration tools. If you have a geographically dispersed workgroup that needs to get together to come to consensus, use the synchronous classroom to give the group a chance to share ideas and collaborate.
How many participants can you comfortably “fit” in a session?
The amount of people that need to be trained may determine how many sessions need to be taught. Don’t assume, because you can fit 100 people in a synchronous classroom, that 100 is the number you should design the class for. It’s important to look closely at your learning objectives and determine how many individuals can be taught at one time and still meet those objectives.
At the awareness level you can deliver lecture-style presentations to larger audiences and a webinar format might be most appropriate; however if you are trying to achieve application, you will probably want to design for a smaller audience of 15 or less and perhaps have a series of sessions more conducive to training (see Types of Presentations).
Do we need a Leader Guide for synchronous deliveries?
If you want your online programs to be as interactive and “high touch” as they are in the traditional classroom, using leader guides becomes quite important. You should have a detailed plan that explains the design. If you do not, you may discover that your event is much more lecture-oriented than you wanted and that interaction with participants is limited to “yes/no” questions and a few polls. Written effectively, leader guides capture the choreography of the program, documenting what the trainer, the assistant trainer, the participants, and the technology are doing.
The leader guide can vary from task descriptions and checklists to detailed scripts. What format to use depends largely on your personal preference; some synchronous trainers find highly detailed leader guides too constraining, while others appreciate the security of explicit scripts.
Do we need Participant Materials for synchronous classes?
A well-designed participant guide can assist the trainer in facilitating small group and independent exercises and increase the comfort level for participants who not experienced in the synchronous classroom. Frequently, participants have a more difficult time understanding directions in a synchronous classroom, so it helps dramatically to incorporate directions in their printed materials. Before starting an exercise, verbally explain the directions and then direct participants to the appropriate page in the participant guide.
Instead of replicating your classroom screens, the participant guide should complement them and help to support class interactions. For example, instead of lecturing for five minutes around three bullet points on a screen, ask the participants to read about them in a participant guide article and then answer questions located at the end of the article in the chat area. Debrief their answers verbally and then move on to the next interaction.
How should slides be designed?
Avoid sending out PowerPoint slides that duplicate your presentation ahead of time. This is a sure way to disengage some of your participants. Many will tend to review the slides on paper and try to listen – missing the “online experience.”Here are some guidelines for effective slide design.
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If there is a corporate template that needs to be adhered to, that is your starting point
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Use dark font colors and avoid using reds or greens which are difficult for some participants to see online.
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White or light colored background colors encourage whiteboarding and make the screen easier to read.
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When it comes to text on the screen - less is MORE! Keep bullet points and words to a minimum – use whiteboarding/annotation to support your points.
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Use graphics, photos, diagrams rather than words.
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Keep the screen “moving” – annotate, annotate, annotate!!!
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If you have more than one point, consider adding a new point on subsequent screens. Remember: every time you change the screen, you have a chance to re-engage wandering eyes.
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