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The Virtual Trainer: A New Revolution in Online Training
January 14, 2010
By Mark Jankowski
Virtual training is a term that has been passed around the corporate education community for the past year. But what does this new form of training mean for your business?
3D virtual platforms, where most virtual training takes place, are Internet-based, multi-user environments where participants create avatars, or, computer-generated characters (kind of like characters from the movie "Avatar"). These avatars can attend training programs, participate in group experiences, and collaborate with one another in a completely interactive community.
The largest and most popular 3D virtual platform is Second Life, which is used by organizations such as Intel, American Cancer Society, MIT, and the U.S. Military. A recent Forrester Research report predicts "the 3D Internet will be as important for work as the Web is today and knowledge management professionals should begin to investigate and experiment with virtual worlds."
Forrester's proclamation begs the following basic questions, especially when most organizations are already conducting front-of-the-room training, asynchronous Web-based programs, and Webinars:
• What are the advantages of 3D virtual platforms?
• What types of organizations benefit the most?
• How do I get started?
This column will provide answers to these questions and provide tips for starting your own virtual training program.
What are the advantages of 3D virtual platforms?
Total Immersion. One of the biggest frustrations with Webinars continues to be their inability to maintain participant attention. Who hasn't checked their e-mail during one of these sessions? In 3D virtual training programs, people are required to actively participate rather than simply tune into a teacher lecture about teamwork or flip through a slide deck on preparation. Virtual training provides an active learning experience in which participants must work together to archive their learning objectives. Examples may include learning about teamwork by taking a virtual climb of Mount Everest or touring the Sistine Chapel to learn about confidence.
Cost Savings. A large portion of the cost of a live training event is contained in airfare, hotel, and other travel expenses. These expenses are eliminated through virtual training. IBM, for instance, held a three-day conference in Second Life and estimated it was staged at one-fifth the cost of a real-world event, saving the company $250,000.
Collaboration. Because of the immersive experience and the feeling of being "present" with other people through their avatars, participants develop bonds, and as a result, they are more willing to reach out and collaborate in the real world. Johnson & Johnson found participants in its 3D virtual orientation classes were more likely to continue to collaborate when compared with those who took other online training programs. As a result, the company reported attrition rates for its new business school graduates were reduced by 40 percent.
Inclusion of Current Content. Many organizations have made a significant investment in online e-learning. 3D virtual training can integrate that existing material with the virtual platform to enhance its effectiveness. Additionally, participants can view videos, review case studies, and take comprehension tests as individuals or in a group, and have concurrent "live" conversations and discussions of best practices.
What type of organizations benefit the most?
Organizations that invest in soft skill training. Any organization that conducts soft skills training with an inherently collaborative component will benefit greatly. Sales, diversity, negotiation, teambuilding, and leadership, among other topics, will receive the full benefit of what 3D virtual platforms can offer in terms of an immersive experience.
Companies with large travel expenses. Companies that are centralized and have the ability to bring people into a regional site or to headquarters might benefit more from face-to-face versus virtual training. But if an organization has a geographically dispersed workforce and currently spends a significant amount of money on travel in connection with training events, then 3D Virtual Platforms are a viable solution with economic benefits that should be weighed carefully.
Firms with "virtual" teams. People who are in different locations that must come together to work on a project often feel disconnected and therefore do not function at their highest level. A 3D virtual platform allows that team to collaborate more effectively, share documents, and bond as a team.
How do I get started?
Open Your Mind. Many people's first impression of the 3D virtual platform is to think of video games and kids. Get over it. Let it go and give it a chance. To not at least experience this critical new training technology is a mistake that could cost companies money, time, resources, and the ability to be on the cutting edge.
Sign up for Second Life. While there are many virtual world platforms from which to choose, Second Life offers a unique combination of accessibility and ease of use. And it's free! You may not be able to get to Second Life at your workstation due to firewall issues, so your first experience may have to take place on your home computer.
Get oriented. To learn basic skills, download the Second Life "Quick Start Guide." After arriving in Second Life, we recommend you take the orientation program delivered by Beta Technologies. And do not be embarrassed to ask for help as you tour through Second Life. You will find Avatars extremely willing to help out "newbies," as they are known.
Stay tuned: This is just the first of a series of columns I will write on different topics surrounding virtual corporate training. Please contact me if there are any topics you would like to see addressed here.
Mark Jankowski is co-founder and president of Shapiro Negotiations Institute, and helps individuals and organizations realize their fullest potential by building stronger relationships and improving their negotiation and influencing skills. Jankowski recently launched Virtual Training Partners to assess and implement clients' virtual world platforms in training offerings.
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