In a landscape forever altered by the pandemic, the pivot to virtual learning and development (L&D) has been less a choice and more a necessity for HR and L&D leaders. At the heart of this seismic shift lies the challenge of keeping remote audiences engaged and educated.
Our recent ‘Engage and Elevate’ event unveiled groundbreaking insights into this journey, especially in the enlightening session “Beyond Training” led by Victoria Younes. Her session wasn’t just a presentation; it was a masterclass in virtual L&D evolution.
Victoria’s journey as an Event Planner and her passion for the practice play a huge role in the success and evolution of her events. Let’s jump into some of the things we learned from Victoria’s session:
The Engagement Imperative
“Getting people to log on isn’t the challenge, it’s getting them to pay attention,” Younes stated, addressing a core issue in virtual L&D. Engagement in a digital realm is more than a nice-to-have; it’s essential.
Younes’ approach, backed by her extensive experience, suggests an interactive blend of polls, Q&A, and gamification to turn passive spectators into active learners. This isn’t just a theory; it’s backed by data showing that interactive elements can boost attendee participation by up to 30% in virtual settings.
Diverse Learning Styles: A Key Consideration
Younes underscored the importance of recognizing diverse learning preferences in her session. “We’re constantly sending out event surveys to learn about what’s important to our attendees,” she mentioned.
This adaptive approach is crucial in today’s world, where 65% of people are visual learners, and the rest are divided between kinesthetic and auditory learning styles. Tailoring content to these diverse needs isn’t just thoughtful; it’s strategic.
Feedback: The Cornerstone of Evolution
Feedback isn’t just information; it’s the roadmap for future success. Younes shared, “We’re fortunate that we get a lot of feedback so we can plan future events.” This continuous loop of feedback and improvement is essential, especially when research indicates that organizations leveraging feedback effectively can improve employee engagement by up to 15%.
Infotainment: The New Normal
Younes humorously observed, “You want to be engaged, but you don’t want to be a circus.” This highlights the critical balance between information and entertainment in virtual L&D. Making learning enjoyable isn’t just about keeping attendees awake; it’s about enhancing retention.
Studies suggest that infusing humor and entertainment into learning can increase retention rates by up to 40%.
Leveraging Technology: A Game-Changer
Platforms like Airmeet are revolutionizing the virtual L&D space. Younes’ experience with Airmeet resonates with many: “It was like I was a kid in a candy store.” Platforms like Airmeet bring much-needed dynamism to virtual events, a necessity when 78.5 billion dollars is being invested in the virtual events industry, marking a stark shift from the pre-pandemic era.
In Conclusion: Embracing the Future of L&D
Victoria Younes’ session at ‘Engage and Elevate’ wasn’t just about sharing experiences; it was a beacon for HR and L&D leaders navigating the complex terrain of virtual L&D. Her insights remind us that in this new era, engagement, adaptability, and leveraging technology are not just strategies; they are necessities.
As we forge ahead, let’s keep Younes’ wisdom at our core: “It’s one thing to design content; it’s another for that information to be retained and applied.”
