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1. VILT and Virtual IT Labs: The Future of EMR/EHR Training for Hospitals

Remember when the biggest tech challenge in a hospital was deciphering a doctor’s handwriting? Those days are gone — replaced by something far more sophisticated (and sometimes just as puzzling): the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) or Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.

Over the past decade, EMRs have gone from “nice-to-have” to “non-negotiable” for hospitals and clinics. Thanks to legislation like the HITECH Act and massive investments in health IT, nearly every U.S. hospital now uses some form of EHR software. The benefits are undeniable: reduced medication errors, easier data sharing, and faster patient record access. But there’s one thing these systems can’t magically solve on their own — how to get busy clinicians trained quickly, effectively, and without losing their sanity (or half the workweek).

That’s where Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) and Virtual IT Labs come in. Instead of cramming into a classroom for a marathon training day or navigating clunky eLearning modules alone, healthcare teams can log in from anywhere, get real-time guidance from a live instructor, and — here’s the magic — practice inside a safe, cloud-based replica of their actual EMR system.

For hospitals, this isn’t just a matter of convenience. It’s about:

  • Reducing costly downtime during system rollouts
  • Increasing staff confidence before they touch a live patient record
  • Standardizing training across multiple locations without flying trainers across the country

In this post, we’ll explore why VILT paired with Virtual IT Labs is becoming the default choice for EMR/EHR training in 2025 — and how hospitals can leverage it to boost efficiency, cut costs, and keep both staff and patients happier.

96
U.S. hospitals use certified EHRs
134
Avg. EMR training per end user
15000
Saved per course moved to VILT
Figures shown for context; tailor to your sourcing and latest data.

2. The Rise of EMRs and the Training Bottleneck

In 2009, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act lit a fire under the healthcare industry, offering billions in incentives to encourage the adoption of electronic medical records. The results were dramatic: according to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), over 96% of U.S. hospitals now use certified EHR technology, up from less than 10% before HITECH.

On paper (pun intended), this is a huge win. EMRs/EHRs streamline patient care, reduce duplication, and make critical information accessible in seconds. They help prevent medication errors, enable faster diagnoses, and allow data sharing between facilities that used to be siloed.

But here’s the catch: installing an EHR is like giving a hospital a state-of-the-art spaceship… and then forgetting to teach the crew how to fly it.
 Without solid, accessible training, even the best EHR system can become a daily source of frustration — or worse, a risk to patient safety.

The real challenge isn’t adoption anymore. It’s adaptation.

  • New staff members need onboarding fast.

  • Existing staff have to learn new modules or system upgrades.

  • Hospitals with multiple campuses must keep training consistent across locations.

Traditional classroom training has its place, but it’s expensive, hard to schedule, and often forces clinicians to step away from patient care for days at a time. Self-paced eLearning can help, but without guidance or realistic practice environments, it often leaves learners underprepared when they hit the real EMR.

That’s why more healthcare organizations are pairing Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) with Virtual IT Labs — to bridge the gap between “I understand the theory” and “I can confidently do this on a real patient’s chart without breaking a sweat.”

3. What is VILT — and How Virtual IT Labs Supercharge It

Let’s start with the basics: Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) is exactly what it sounds like — a live, instructor-led training session delivered online. Instead of everyone gathering in the same physical room, participants log into a virtual classroom platform (think Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or specialized training tools) where they can see the instructor, interact through chat or voice, and follow along in real time.

VILT isn’t just a glorified webinar. Done right, it’s interactive, engaging, and highly customizable. Instructors can:

  • Share their screen to walk through workflows.

  • Use breakout rooms for small-group exercises.

  • Run live polls and quizzes to check understanding.

  • Answer questions instantly, just like in a physical classroom.

Now here’s where the real magic happens: pairing VILT with Virtual IT Labs.

Virtual IT Labs are cloud-hosted environments that replicate the software and systems learners will use in their actual jobs. In the context of EMR/EHR training, these labs allow clinicians to:

  • Log into a safe, sandbox version of their hospital’s EMR.

  • Practice real-world tasks — entering orders, updating patient charts, processing discharges — without touching live data.

  • Make mistakes without consequences (except maybe a gentle laugh from the instructor).

  • Build muscle memory so that when they do it for real, it’s second nature.

The beauty of combining VILT with Virtual IT Labs is that you get the best of both worlds:

  • Human guidance: An instructor who can explain, demonstrate, and troubleshoot on the spot.

  • Hands-on practice: An environment where learners can apply what they’re hearing right away.

Here’s a quick side-by-side to put it in perspective:

Comparison
Training Methods

Traditional vs eLearning vs VILT + Virtual IT Labs

A comparison of training methods in healthcare: pros and cons of Traditional Classroom, Self-Paced eLearning, and VILT with Virtual IT Labs.
Training Method Pros Cons
Traditional Classroom Face-to-face interaction, team bonding Travel cost, scheduling issues, downtime
Self-Paced eLearning Flexible, repeatable content Limited feedback, no live guidance
VILT + Virtual IT Labs Live guidance, real-time practice, no travel Requires stable internet, some tech setup

In other words, VILT plus Virtual IT Labs takes the strengths of traditional training and combines them with the flexibility and scalability of online learning — without sacrificing engagement or effectiveness.

4. The Core Benefits of VILT with Virtual IT Labs in Healthcare

Pairing Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) with Virtual IT Labs isn’t just a clever workaround for avoiding classroom travel — it’s a strategic move that improves training outcomes, saves money, and keeps clinicians confident in their workflows. Here’s why hospitals are making the switch.

A. Flexibility & Convenience

Hospitals run on tight schedules, and clinicians’ time is one of the most valuable (and expensive) resources in the building. With VILT, there’s no need to block off entire days for travel to training centers or shuffle patient schedules to fit a trainer’s availability.

  • Train from anywhere — a nurse can log in from their home office, a clinic, or even during a quiet shift break.

  • Multiple time slots — instructors can run the same session multiple times in a day to suit different shifts.

  • On-demand reinforcement — many VILT platforms record sessions so learners can rewatch when needed.

This flexibility is especially powerful for multi-site health systems or rural hospitals, where getting everyone in one place is a logistical headache.

B. Cost Savings & Efficiency

Training budgets in healthcare are under constant pressure. According to a study published in Health Affairs, end users require an average of 134 hours per person to prepare for a hospital’s EHR system. Factor in travel, accommodations, and lost productivity, and the price tag climbs quickly.

Switching from in-person training to VILT can save $9,550–$15,870 per course in direct costs alone (ReadyTech data), not counting the hidden savings from reduced downtime. And when you add Virtual IT Labs, you eliminate the need for expensive physical lab environments and dedicated hardware.

Cost efficiency doesn’t mean cutting corners — it means reallocating resources toward better content, more sessions, and follow-up support.

C. Engagement & Retention

Let’s face it: EMR training can get dry if it’s all talk and no action. Virtual IT Labs turn theory into hands-on application immediately.

  • Learners can practice real workflows — like admitting a patient, updating vitals, or processing discharge orders — without fear of breaking the live system.

  • Mistakes become learning moments, not disasters.

  • Instructors can watch learners work in real time and provide instant feedback.

“Learning by doing” isn’t just a catchy phrase — research consistently shows that hands-on practice improves knowledge retention far more than passive listening. In high-stakes environments like healthcare, that difference can directly impact patient safety.

D. Measurable Outcomes

Hospitals aren’t just investing in training for fun — they want results. Studies from KLAS Research show that clinicians trained via VILT often report higher satisfaction scores than those using single-format methods like self-paced eLearning alone.

Even better, blended learning models — combining VILT, Virtual IT Labs, and self-paced modules — tend to produce:

  • Higher confidence in using the EHR

  • Faster time-to-proficiency after go-live

  • Fewer post-implementation errors

Some organizations also track Net EHR Experience Scores before and after training. In many cases, these scores climb significantly when Virtual IT Labs are part of the training process, suggesting not just short-term learning gains but sustained improvement in system comfort and usage.

Bottom line? VILT with Virtual IT Labs is not just a training method — it’s a performance multiplier. It removes the traditional barriers of time, cost, and geography, while giving clinicians the confidence and competence to work effectively from day one.

5. Best Practices for High-Impact VILT and Virtual IT Lab Training

Switching to Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) with Virtual IT Labs is a powerful move — but like any training strategy, its success depends on how it’s implemented. Here’s how hospitals can get the most value (and the fewest headaches) from this approach.

1. Blend Formats for Maximum Impact

Not all learning objectives require live instruction, and not all can be mastered through self-paced modules. The sweet spot is blended learning:

  • Use self-paced micro-lessons to introduce basic navigation and terminology before a VILT session.

  • Reserve live VILT for workflow-specific or high-stakes tasks where questions and feedback are essential.

  • Follow up with virtual lab practice so learners can solidify skills without the pressure of real patient data.

Pro tip: This “learn → apply → reinforce” cycle helps learners retain more and return to work confident in their skills.

2. Personalize the Learning Path

A one-size-fits-all approach leaves both beginners and experienced users frustrated.

  • Use pre-training assessments to identify gaps in digital skills or EMR familiarity.

  • Segment learners into tailored tracks — for example, nurses might focus on patient charting workflows, while physicians concentrate on order entry and results review.

  • Allow advanced users to skip basics and spend more time on complex tasks.

Benefit: Personalization increases engagement and reduces wasted training time.

3. Appoint Clinician Champions

Peer-to-peer influence is powerful in healthcare settings.

  • Recruit experienced, tech-comfortable clinicians to act as training ambassadors.

  • Have them co-facilitate VILT sessions, share real-world tips, and troubleshoot from a user’s perspective.

  • Champions can also serve as the first line of post-go-live support, reinforcing best practices.

Why it works: Clinicians are more receptive when they see that training works in the real world, not just in theory.

4. Prioritize Accessibility & Multi-Format Content

Not all learners absorb information the same way.

  • Provide training materials in multiple formats: video recordings, quick-reference guides, interactive walkthroughs, and printable job aids.

  • Ensure virtual lab environments are mobile-friendly for on-the-go review.

  • Keep recordings and resources in a central, searchable repository.

Extra tip: Accessibility isn’t just good practice — it can help meet compliance with disability accommodation requirements.

5. Simulate Real Scenarios

Generic demos won’t prepare staff for the complexities of your actual EMR.

  • Configure Virtual IT Labs to mirror your hospital’s workflows and naming conventions.

  • Incorporate realistic patient scenarios — admissions, transfers, emergency orders — to make practice sessions relevant.

  • Test learners in scenarios they’ll face on day one after go-live.

Result: Staff hit the ground running because they’ve already “lived” the workflow in a safe environment.

When done right, VILT with Virtual IT Labs doesn’t just teach staff how to click the right buttons — it prepares them for the reality of fast-paced, high-pressure healthcare environments. It’s a shift from training to get it done to training to excel.

6. Hypothetical Case Study: “St. Somewhere Regional Hospital”

Let’s imagine a mid-sized, 250-bed facility in the Midwest — St. Somewhere Regional Hospital. They’ve just switched EMR vendors after a decade on their old system. The decision promised better interoperability, stronger reporting features, and a friendlier user interface. But there was one looming issue: training 1,200 staff members without disrupting patient care or blowing the budget.

The Initial Challenges

  • Distributed staff: Four clinics, one main hospital, and multiple satellite offices meant travel-based training would be expensive and time-consuming.

     

  • Skill gaps: About 40% of clinicians admitted they weren’t confident with basic computer navigation, let alone a new EMR.

     

  • Patient care continuity: Leadership wanted zero downtime during the transition — a tall order for such a large rollout.

     

The Training Approach

St. Somewhere’s training team decided to use a blended learning model:

  1. Pre-work: Self-paced modules covering EMR basics and navigation.

     

  2. VILT Sessions: Live, instructor-led classes focusing on specific workflows (admissions, charting, orders, discharge).

     

  3. Virtual IT Labs: Cloud-hosted replicas of the new EMR environment, preloaded with realistic patient scenarios, so learners could practice without risking live data.

     

  4. Clinician Champions: Each department nominated one or two “super-users” to co-facilitate sessions and offer peer support post-go-live.

     

The (Hypothetical) Results

  • Time to Proficiency: Reduced from the projected 10 days to just 5 days for most staff.

     

  • Satisfaction Scores: Post-training surveys showed a 22% increase in user confidence compared to the hospital’s last EMR rollout.

     

  • Cost Savings: Estimated $148,000 saved in travel, backfill staffing, and physical lab setup.

     

  • Error Reduction: The help desk logged 35% fewer “urgent” EMR tickets in the first month after go-live.

     

While these numbers are fictional, they’re based on real-world trends reported by hospitals using VILT with Virtual IT Labs. The takeaway is simple: by combining human-led instruction with realistic, hands-on practice, hospitals can train large teams faster, more effectively, and without the chaos that often comes with major system changes.

Time to Proficiency

From project plan to confident users

5
10 → 5 ‑50%
Clinician Satisfaction

Post‑training survey delta

22%
increase
Estimated Cost Savings

Travel, backfill, physical lab setup

148,000
Blended rollout estimated
Urgent EMR Tickets

First month after go‑live

35%
Fewer tickets reduction

7. Balancing Humor and Professionalism in Healthcare Training

Healthcare training is no joke — but a touch of well-placed humor can make it far more effective. Multiple studies (including research published in Advances in Health Sciences Education) have found that appropriate humor in instruction increases learner engagement, improves attention, and can boost retention.

In the context of VILT and Virtual IT Labs, humor has a few specific benefits:

  • Reduces tech anxiety — especially for clinicians who aren’t comfortable with digital systems.

  • Encourages participation — light banter makes learners more willing to ask questions and share challenges.

  • Keeps energy up — important in long sessions or complex workflow training.

Do’s for Using Humor in Healthcare Training:

  • Use relatable, work-specific jokes (“Charting in the wrong patient record is like sending a text to your boss that was meant for your spouse”).

  • Keep humor tied to the learning point — avoid “off-topic” comedy that derails focus.

  • Match tone to audience — humor for a group of nurses on night shift might differ from a C-suite session.

Don’ts for Using Humor in Healthcare Training:

  • Never joke about patient harm, medical errors, or sensitive health issues.

  • Avoid cultural references that could alienate part of the group.

  • Don’t force it — humor should feel natural and in service of the content.

When Humor Backfires:
 If overdone, humor can be perceived as unprofessional, distract from critical concepts, or cause learners to underestimate the seriousness of a task. This is why skilled VILT instructors use humor sparingly — as seasoning, not the main course.

When done right, humor + professionalism creates the “engaged but serious” learning environment where staff feel comfortable, attentive, and confident — a perfect fit for high-stakes EMR/EHR training.

8. Conclusion

By now, it’s clear that Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) paired with Virtual IT Labs isn’t just a convenient alternative to traditional EMR/EHR training — it’s a game-changer for hospitals. It directly addresses the biggest barriers to effective adoption: lack of time, inconsistent training, high costs, and limited hands-on practice.

We’ve seen how this approach:

  • Cuts costs by eliminating travel and reducing downtime.
  • Improves retention with realistic, risk-free simulations.
  • Boosts confidence through guided, interactive instruction.
  • Scales easily across multiple locations while maintaining consistent quality.

And this isn’t just theory — real-world findings from KLAS Research and hospital implementations show measurable improvements in clinician satisfaction, speed to proficiency, and reduced post-go-live errors when VILT + Virtual IT Labs are used.

How ReadyTech Fits the Bill

If you’re wondering how to bring this model to life, ReadyTech’s training platform was built to meet these exact needs in healthcare:

  • Customizable Virtual IT Labs that replicate your hospital’s specific EMR/EHR environment — so staff train in workflows they’ll actually use.
  • Robust VILT tools with breakout rooms, whiteboards, live polling, and screen sharing for dynamic, interactive sessions.
  • Global accessibility so clinicians can join from any site, clinic, or remote location — perfect for multi-campus health systems.
  • Built-in reporting and analytics to track participation, completion, and skill mastery.
  • Seamless scalability for rolling out to hundreds or thousands of staff without overwhelming your training team.

With ReadyTech, you don’t just get software — you get a partner who understands healthcare training challenges and can guide you through setup, launch, and ongoing optimization.

VILT + Virtual IT Labs

Ready to see EMR training your clinicians will actually love?

Give your teams live, hands‑on practice in a safe, virtual EMR environment—standardized across sites, scalable, and measurable.

  • Launch blended VILT programs fast—no travel, no downtime.
  • Replicate your EMR workflows in customizable virtual labs.
  • Track adoption and proficiency with built‑in analytics.
Schedule a demo Talk to a strategist

9. FAQ: VILT & Virtual IT Labs for Healthcare Training

Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) is a live, online training format where an instructor teaches in real time. It mirrors the structure and interaction of an in-person classroom but allows healthcare staff to participate from any location.

Virtual IT Labs are secure, cloud-hosted replicas of your EMR/EHR system. They let clinicians practice real workflows — like entering orders, updating patient records, or processing discharges — without touching live patient data.

Yes, and in many cases more effective. When combined with Virtual IT Labs, VILT offers the live guidance of a trainer plus hands-on experience, leading to higher retention and confidence compared to lecture-only formats.

Hospitals save on travel, accommodations, and productivity loss from pulling staff away from care. Moving one course from in-person to VILT can save $9,550–$15,870, according to ReadyTech customer data.

Absolutely. ReadyTech can configure labs to mirror your hospital’s exact workflows, screen layouts, and patient scenarios, so training feels relevant from day one.

VILT uses interactive tools like breakout rooms, whiteboards, live polls, and screen sharing. Instructors can also monitor learners’ progress in Virtual IT Labs and provide instant feedback.

Yes — in fact, it’s ideal. VILT eliminates the need to fly trainers or staff to a central location and ensures consistent training quality across all sites, regardless of geography.

VILT allows slower-paced learners to ask questions in real time, while Virtual IT Labs provide a safe space to practice basic navigation before working in the live system. Instructors can adapt on the fly to match the group’s skill level.

Self-paced eLearning is great for flexible review, but it lacks real-time interaction. VILT adds a live instructor, group discussion, and hands-on lab practice — making it more effective for complex systems like EMRs.

ReadyTech offers an all-in-one training platform with integrated VILT tools, customizable Virtual IT Labs, global accessibility, analytics for tracking learner progress, and expert onboarding support. We help hospitals design, launch, and scale their training programs with confidence.
]]> Training Strategy & ROI: Build Impactful Learning Programs | ReadyTech nonadult Virtual Training Labs: Gaining Buy-In from Leadership https://www.readytech.com/virtual-training-labs-gaining-buy-in-from-leadership/ Thu, 24 Jul 2025 17:07:09 +0000 http://localhost:10022/?p=3582 Virtual Training Labs: Gaining Buy-In from Leadership Read More »

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Would you rather listen to the blog? Watch the video below.

 

 

Introduction: The Strategic Shift in Training

Let’s be honest—when senior leadership gathers to talk business strategy, topics like revenue growth, customer acquisition, and maybe even “innovation” (cue dramatic music) usually steal the spotlight. But there’s one critical lever that too often gets stuck under the radar: training.

Yes, training. Not exactly a boardroom buzzword, but it should be.

Here’s why: 7 in 10 employees say training and development opportunities directly impact their decision to stay at a company. That’s not just an HR stat—it’s a retention strategy with a big, bold ROI attached.

Now here’s the kicker. While employees are cruising around with smartwatches that track their REM cycles and apps that suggest what to eat based on mood swings, many companies are still delivering training via PDFs, clunky LMS platforms, or—brace yourself—printed manuals. It’s like trying to train astronauts using an Etch A Sketch.

That disconnect between today’s personal tech and yesterday’s corporate training tools? It’s not just frustrating—it’s costing you. In productivity, morale, and yes, talent.

Enter virtual training labs. These cloud-powered, hands-on environments are built for modern learners—and modern businesses. They don’t just level up training; they make it scalable, cost-effective, and dare we say… actually enjoyable?

This guide is your blueprint for making training a strategic growth engine. We’ll show you how virtual labs boost retention, slash costs, and give your teams the tools they actually want to use. Time to stop treating training like a checkbox—and start treating it like your secret weapon.

 

1. Why Leadership Must Reframe Training as a Strategic Investment

Let’s clear something up: training isn’t just the domain of Learning & Development folks with slide decks and good intentions. It’s not “just an HR thing.” Training is a full-blown business strategy—whether leadership recognizes it or not.

In fact, it’s a triple threat. Done right, training directly impacts:

  • Talent acquisition (top talent wants to learn)
  • Retention (they’ll stay where they can grow)
  • Productivity (upskilled teams = faster results)

And yet… many organizations treat training like a fire extinguisher. Break glass only in case of emergency—or compliance. But waiting until people are disengaged, underperforming, or halfway out the door is a bit like patching the roof after the storm.

Want to know what’s really expensive? Replacing an employee. Studies peg the cost at 1.5x their annual salary, once you factor in hiring, onboarding, lost productivity, and the inevitable “ramp-up” period. Multiply that across departments, and you’ve got a budget black hole.

Now compare that to a strong, consistent training strategy:

  • Faster onboarding = new hires deliver value sooner
  • Ongoing development = higher morale, lower turnover
  • Skill-building = teams adapt faster, innovate more, and call IT less

That’s not fluff. That’s margin.

Training is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s risk mitigation (because disengaged employees leave) and a growth accelerator (because skilled teams execute better). Think of it as compound interest for your workforce. The earlier you invest, the more exponential the return.

So if leadership is serious about long-term performance, it’s time to stop asking “Can we afford to train?” and start asking “Can we afford not to?”

 

2. What Are Virtual Training Labs? (Explainer + Visual)

Virtual training labs are cloud-based, hands-on environments where learners can build real technical skills without touching a production system or downloading sketchy files. Think of them as IT sandboxes—safe, scalable, and always ready for action.

Whether you’re training new hires, upskilling your team, or teaching complex workflows, virtual labs let learners explore, experiment, and even make mistakes—all without breaking anything important (like your company’s live infrastructure).

These labs can be self-paced (great for asynchronous training) or instructor-led (perfect for live workshops). They work across time zones and teams, giving users a real-world learning experience from anywhere with an internet connection.

Here’s how they stack up:

Training Type Old-School Classroom Virtual Lab Production System
Hands-on? Limited ✅ Fully interactive ✅ But risky
Location flexibility ❌ In-person only ✅ Anywhere ❌ Restricted
Scalability ❌ Hard to scale ✅ Easy to scale ❌ Not designed for training
Safe to experiment? ❌ Risk of breakage ✅ Mistakes encouraged ❌ Critical errors possible

With virtual labs, learners get the muscle memory and confidence they need—without ever leaving their desk or wrecking a real server.

 

3. The Business Benefits of Virtual Training Labs

Let’s talk business. Virtual training labs aren’t just cool tech—they’re the quiet workhorses that make IT training smarter, cheaper, and way more effective than forcing your team into a windowless room for eight hours with stale bagels and an awkward PowerPoint.

Here’s how they deliver value across the board.

💰 Lower Training Costs (Your Finance Team Will Thank You)

Let’s start with everyone’s favorite topic: money.

Old-school training was expensive. Think laptops, labs, travel, trainers, venues, boxed lunches—and don’t forget the swag bags. With virtual training labs, most of that vanishes like a ghost in a LAN.

  • No hardware to buy or maintain. Everything runs in the cloud, which means no more pleading with IT to fix the training room server that’s been acting up since 2017.
  • No travel, hotel, or venue costs. Your team can train from home, the office, or that suspiciously quiet airport lounge.
  • Lab setup and maintenance? Outsourced. Platforms like ReadyTech handle the heavy lifting. Your IT team will love you.

Bonus stat: Companies have reported 30–70% cost savings by switching from in-person to virtual labs. That’s not chump change—that’s budget reallocation territory.

Safe, Risk-Free Practice Environments

Mistakes are great teachers—unless you’re making them in a live production environment. Then they’re career-ending.

Virtual labs offer a no-stakes sandbox for real learning:

  • Want to test a new firewall rule? Go for it.
  • Accidentally deleted the root directory? No biggie—just restart the lab.
  • Broke the whole virtual network? Congratulations, you’re learning!

These environments are ideal for coding, troubleshooting, and testing—especially when you need the freedom to fail without taking down your company’s website. Learners can experiment boldly, without the panic of a Slack message from DevOps asking, “Who just brought down production?”

Greater Flexibility & Accessibility

In today’s hybrid world, expecting everyone to show up at the same place, at the same time, for the same training? That’s a fantasy.

Virtual labs make training as flexible as your favorite yoga instructor:

  • Train from anywhere. Home office, corporate cubicle, or the middle of a layover—if there’s Wi-Fi, you’re in.
  • Great for global teams. Whether your dev team’s in Bangalore, your IT leads are in Berlin, or someone’s just a night owl in Boise, everyone can access the same experience.
  • Supports both async and synchronous delivery. Run a live workshop or let people learn at their own pace—no stress, no schedule conflicts.

And guess what? Better flexibility means better engagement. People actually like training that doesn’t blow up their calendar.

Faster, More Effective Learning

Let’s get into the science for a sec.

Traditional training (you know, lectures, slides, and blank stares) yields about 5–10% knowledge retention. Ouch.

Now compare that with practice-based learning, where learners get hands-on with tasks in real environments. The result? Up to 75% retention. That’s not just better—it’s a game-changer.

  • Instant feedback. Learners know immediately when they’ve nailed it—or when they need to try again.
  • Step-by-step guidance. Labs can walk users through each task, helping them build confidence before they’re thrown into the deep end.
  • Perfect for onboarding and certifications. Got new hires? Virtual labs help them hit the ground running. Need to prep for a CompTIA, AWS, or Microsoft cert? These labs are built for it.

No more death by PowerPoint. This is learning that sticks.

Scalable for Growth

Whether you’re training 10 people or 10,000, virtual labs can keep up without breaking a sweat.

  • On-demand environments scale instantly. You don’t need to book physical rooms or fight over lab schedules.
  • Easily replicated across departments and geos. Want every office to have access to the same lab experience? Done.
  • Avoid bottlenecks. Limited lab machines used to be a training nightmare. With virtual labs, every learner gets their own environment—no waiting, no sharing, no frustration.

It’s training infrastructure built for companies that plan to grow—and actually train like it.

Better Experience for Instructors & Learners

Finally, let’s not forget the people delivering the training. Instructors love virtual labs, and learners do too.

  • Live monitoring tools let instructors watch progress in real time—without hovering.
  • 1:1 support is seamless. Jump into a learner’s session, offer help, then pop back out like a training ninja.
  • Learners can rewind, retry, and review. No shame, no stress—just a chance to get it right.

Plus, no one has to stay after class to rebuild a broken lab setup. That’s a win for everyone.

 

4. Real‑World Use Cases for Virtual Labs 

Virtual training labs aren’t just a neat idea—they’re already powering real training programs. Here’s how different groups are leveraging them to level up skills, save time, and avoid messy mistakes:

Internal Employee Training

Whether you’re onboarding new engineers, upskilling DevOps teams, or prepping folks for security certifications, virtual labs are perfect for hands-on learning. Instead of reading slides and guessing, learners get to spin up environments, apply Firewall rules, deep-dive into CI/CD pipelines, and practice zero-downtime deployments—without risking production. Real-world confidence, zero collateral damage.

Customer Training

Customer education takes your SaaS offering from “nice to have” to “can’t live without.” Virtual labs let customers securely explore your platform’s features—troubleshoot issues, experiment with configurations, and earn certifications. Take them under your wing beyond onboarding: let them practice a new feature the moment it’s released. Results? Stronger customer experience, deeper product engagement, and fewer support tickets.

Partner & Channel Training

Your partners and resellers need to master your tools fast. Instead of endless FAQ emails or muddled quick-start guides, virtual labs serve as live sandboxes—reducing support tickets and accelerating feature rollouts. Whether they’re demoing to clients, creating templates, or integrating systems, these labs make sure partners get it right the first time, every time.

 

5. Build vs Buy: Why Outsourcing Beats In-House Lab Environments

If you’re thinking about building your own virtual lab environment from scratch—pause for a second. It might seem like a fun DIY tech project at first, but the reality? It’s often more headache than hero move.

Building In-House: A Sneaky Time Sink

Sure, spinning up your own lab might sound flexible. But the hidden costs add up fast:

  • Time and talent drain: Your best engineers end up managing servers instead of solving real business problems.
  • Maintenance marathon: Lab images, hardware upgrades, software patches, and connectivity issues—all fall on your IT team.
  • Security and compliance risks: One missed update or misconfigured VM can create major vulnerabilities, especially when training involves real data or external users.

Before you know it, you’ve spent months (and a good chunk of your budget) on infrastructure that still doesn’t scale well.

Outsourcing to Experts Like ReadyTech

Platforms like ReadyTech specialize in virtual lab delivery—and it shows:

  • Instant deployment: Labs are ready in minutes, not weeks.
  • Zero maintenance required: We handle the backend, upgrades, and uptime.
  • Enterprise-grade security and compliance built in.
  • Customizable environments tailored to your stack, tools, and training goals.

Plus, ReadyTech’s platform is optimized for everything from onboarding new hires to delivering global certification programs—with detailed analytics and built-in instructor tools.

Comparison: In-House vs. ReadyTech Labs

Feature In-House Labs ReadyTech Labs
Setup Time Weeks to months Minutes
Maintenance Burden High (IT owned) None (fully managed)
Security & Compliance DIY & risky Enterprise-grade, built-in
Scalability Limited Instant, global-ready
Cost Efficiency High upfront & ongoing Pay-as-you-go | No Contracts
Learner Support Tools Manual Live monitoring, auto alerts

Why Companies Choose ReadyTech

Skip the server racks and spreadsheets. See how ReadyTech simplifies virtual training labs and helps companies scale smarter, not harder.

Whether you’re training 10 engineers or 10,000 customers, outsourcing gives you the tools to move fast and stay focused on what actually matters—learning that works.

 

6. Making the Case to Leadership: Tips for L&D Champions

Pitching a new training platform to leadership? It’s not just about better tools—it’s about better business outcomes. Here’s how to build a case that gets the nod (and the budget).

Speak Their Language

Executives care about impact, not features. So instead of saying, “Our training is more interactive,” say:

  • “We can cut training costs by up to 70%.”
  • “Our teams will retain 75% more knowledge.”
  • “We’ll reduce onboarding time by 30%.”

Frame your proposal around measurable business outcomes: ROI, retention, productivity, and faster time-to-competence.

Back It Up with Data

Data wins hearts and minds. Use clear metrics, case studies, and visuals to tell your story. Better yet, bring the numbers home:

  • Cost savings vs in-person training
  • Completion rates for virtual labs vs traditional eLearning
  • Fewer support tickets and retraining sessions

Need a shortcut? [Download our Virtual Lab ROI Calculator or Slide Deck Template] to help shape your pitch.

Start Small, Scale Smart

Leadership doesn’t need a big bang. Instead, launch a small pilot—target a single department or certification program, gather feedback, and show results. Once the numbers speak for themselves, you’ll have the green light to expand.

Remember, you’re not just asking for tools. You’re championing a smarter, scalable way to build skills that stick. And with the right framing, leadership will see it too.

 

Conclusion: Train to Retain = Win on Every Front

In a world where technology evolves faster than your inbox fills up, the way we train needs to keep pace. Virtual training labs offer a smarter, more scalable solution—giving learners real-world, hands-on experience without the risk, overhead, or downtime of traditional training.

They’re not just about convenience—they’re about outcomes. Higher retention. Faster onboarding. Better performance. And yes—happier learners and less stressed instructors.

Whether you’re upskilling engineers, supporting partners, or helping customers master your software, the strategic value is clear: train effectively, retain talent, and stay competitive.

Now’s the time to leave behind outdated training models and embrace a platform built for how people learn today.

Want to see a demo? Contact ReadyTech.

]]> Virtual Training Labs: Gaining Buy-in From Leadership nonadult Training Adults in the Workplace: 10 Proven Benefits of Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) https://www.readytech.com/the-key-to-training-adults-in-the-workplace/ Fri, 11 Apr 2025 09:07:43 +0000 https://www.readytech.com/?p=19235 Training Adults in the Workplace: 10 Proven Benefits of Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) Read More »

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1. Introduction: Why Training Adults Matters More Than Ever

Adults Aren’t Traditional Learners—And That’s Okay

Let’s be honest—training adults in the workplace is not the same as teaching fresh-faced college kids or hyper-curious high schoolers. Adults come with… well, baggage. We’re talking jobs, kids, bills, pets, existential dread, group chats that never die, and a deep-seated fear of being called on unexpectedly during a Zoom call.

But despite the chaos, adult learning is booming. Whether it’s upskilling for a promotion, adapting to new software, or surviving yet another corporate restructure, workplace training is more important than ever. And how we deliver that training? That’s changing fast.

The Rise of Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT)

Enter: virtual instructor-led training (VILT). It’s not just another acronym your boss throws around to sound cutting-edge—it’s a legit game-changer for adult learners juggling real life. Unlike traditional classroom training (which might involve schlepping across town and pretending you’re not tired), VILT uses virtual classroom software to deliver live, instructor-led sessions straight to your laptop. Pajama pants optional but encouraged.

Why Now? The Workforce Is Ready

  • 94% of employees say they’d stay longer at a company that invests in their learning (LinkedIn Learning)
  • Remote work is now normal, not niche
  • Gen Z is entering the workforce expecting interactivity and flexibility from Day One
  • Millennials crave career growth and work-life balance
  • Gen X and Boomers are asking, “Do I really have to come into the office for this?”

💡 Want to build a scalable, flexible training program? Talk to our team—we’ve helped companies worldwide do it seamlessly with ReadyTech.

What This Blog Will Cover

That’s why in this blog, we’re diving deep into the world of training adults in the workplace, comparing traditional classroom training with modern virtual instructor-led training, and breaking down how different generations (yes, even Gen Alpha someday) learn best. We’ll hit you with real-world data, insights into adult learning psychology, and a few laughs along the way.

2. Understanding How Adults Learn in the Workplace

Before we start talking tech, tools, and training trends, let’s get back to basics—like, 1970s adult-learning-theory basics.

Malcolm Knowles (yes, that’s a real name, not a long-lost Beyoncé cousin) is considered the godfather of adult learning principles. He coined the term andragogy, which sounds like a villain in a Marvel movie but is actually the fancy word for how adults learn best.

Knowles’ big idea? Adults aren’t oversized children. Shocking, right? We bring life experience, opinions, and deeply ingrained coffee addictions to the learning table. So, he laid out four key principles for effective training of adults in the workplace—and they’re more relevant than ever in today’s virtual training environments.

Readiness: “What’s in it for me?”

Adults are busy. We don’t have time for fluff or “just in case” knowledge. We want to know why we’re learning something—and we want to know it now. That means training has to feel relevant. If the session doesn’t solve a real problem, help us hit a goal, or get us closer to that sweet, sweet promotion, we’re out (mentally, at least).

VILT Advantage: A well-designed virtual instructor-led training program answers the “what’s in it for me?” question right away. Trainers can personalize content or highlight immediate applications using tools like screen sharing, interactive polls, and real-world examples.

Experience: “I already know stuff, thanks.”

Adults bring a ton of real-life knowledge to training—some useful, some… well, let’s just say interesting. The point is, we’re not blank slates. Good training builds on what people already know, instead of starting from scratch like it’s the first day of school.

But here’s the catch: not everyone’s experience is the same. A millennial might be used to fast, digital learning, while a boomer might want more context and structure. That’s why relatable examples and flexible delivery (hint: virtual classroom software) matter.

Pro tip: With the right VILT platform, instructors can easily adapt examples in real-time and even invite learners to share their own stories. Boom—experience leveraged.

Autonomy: “Please don’t micromanage me.”

Adult learners want to feel in control. We’ve got enough people telling us what to do (hello, Slack notifications). So when it comes to training, we want options. We want to participate, give feedback, and learn in a way that works for us.

That’s why autonomy is a big deal. Think breakout rooms, collaborative activities, or even choosing your own learning path. In VILT settings, giving learners some freedom leads to more engagement—and fewer glazed-over stares.

VILT Tip: ReadyTech’s virtual training delivery tools support all of this—hands-on labs, group projects, flexible session formats—all with instructor support baked in.

Action: “Cool info—now what do I do with it?”

If there’s one thing adult learners hate, it’s wasted time. We’re here for training that actually helps us do our jobs better, not just fill out a checkbox on a quarterly goals sheet. Training needs to lead to real action.

The best training programs include practical application. That means exercises, simulations, or at least something we can apply immediately—preferably before our next meeting.

VILT Implementation: Platforms like ReadyTech shine here. Instructors can assign practice tasks, facilitate group challenges, or drop learners into hands-on virtual labs where they can apply what they’ve just learned.

💡 Want to see how adult learning theory comes to life in VILT? Book a demo with ReadyTech and we’ll show you how to build a training experience your learners actually remember.

Why This Still Matters

These principles aren’t just theoretical. They’re critical if you want your training to actually stick. With modern virtual classroom software, you can finally deliver learning that aligns with adult psychology—and do it globally, efficiently, and in real time.

Now that we know how adults learn, let’s talk about where they learn best: in classrooms or online? Spoiler alert: pajamas might play a role. 😏

3. Traditional Training vs Training Adults in the Workplace

Why It Worked—Once Upon a Time

Ah, the classroom. Rows of chairs, dry-erase markers that never work, and that one person who always asks a question right as the session is about to end. For decades, in-person training was the gold standard for workplace education. And to be fair, it still has its perks.

There’s something about physically being in a room together that fosters connection. You can read body language, hold real-time discussions without lag, and break into spontaneous conversations during breaks. For some learners—especially Boomers and Gen Xers—this environment can feel more natural and less overwhelming than staring at a screen.

Plus, some subjects just feel easier to teach in person. Complex hands-on tasks, team-building exercises, or anything involving physical equipment can benefit from face-to-face interaction.

Let’s not forget the built-in accountability: it’s a lot harder to scroll Instagram or walk your dog mid-lesson when you’re sitting in a conference room under fluorescent lights.

But the World—and Workforce—Has Moved On

While traditional classroom training has its strengths, it’s not without flaws—especially when you’re training adults in the workplace.

Time is a big one. Pulling employees away from their jobs (and lives) for a day-long training session can be disruptive. Add in the cost of travel, catering, printed materials, and logistics, and suddenly that “simple” training event starts to feel like planning a wedding.

Then there’s flexibility—or the lack of it. What if someone’s sick? What if they’re remote? What if their kid’s school calls halfway through the workshop?

That’s where virtual instructor-led training (VILT) starts to shine. You get the live instructor, the collaboration, the real-time engagement—but without needing to fight for parking or sit in a chair that squeaks every time you shift.

💡 Ready to move beyond classroom limitations? Explore how ReadyTech’s all-in-one VILT platform makes it easy to deliver powerful, scalable training without the travel headaches.

Traditional Models vs. Modern Learners

Here’s the truth: for many modern learners, traditional classroom training doesn’t match their needs.

  • Millennials and Gen Z want flexibility, interactivity, and tech-friendly solutions
  • Even Boomers and Gen X increasingly prefer hybrid options
  • Remote workers? Forget it. In-person-only training feels outdated, inconvenient, and costly

Today’s workforce expects digital-first solutions that are just as interactive and engaging as face-to-face ones—but without the physical barriers. That’s a tall order for traditional formats.

The Digital Edge of VILT

With VILT, you get everything that works in a classroom—live instructors, breakout groups, Q&A—but within a virtual classroom software environment that adds:

  • Recordings for later viewing
  • Hands-on virtual labs to reinforce skills
  • Real-time chat, polls, and screen sharing
  • Global accessibility for remote teams and distributed learners

Platforms like ReadyTech even go further by offering built-in virtual IT labs for hands-on, technical training—no travel, no setup, just straight into skill-building.

In Summary…

In short, traditional training still has a place—but it’s no longer the only (or even the best) option for most adult learners. Next, we’ll explore how virtual instructor-led training steps in as a flexible, modern solution that actually works for how people live and work today.

4. Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT): The Flexible Alternative

Meet the New MVP of Workplace Training

Let’s face it—adulting is hard. Between work deadlines, dentist appointments, school drop-offs, and wondering why your back hurts for no reason, finding time to sit in a physical classroom isn’t always realistic. That’s where virtual instructor-led training (VILT) steps in like a superhero in sweatpants.

VILT combines the structure of live instruction with the flexibility of online access. It’s like the best parts of a classroom… without the commute, the stale coffee, or the awkward icebreakers where you have to share “one fun fact about yourself.”

So, What Is VILT Exactly?

At its core, VILT is real-time training delivered online by a live instructor. Sessions take place in a virtual classroom software environment, complete with chat boxes, breakout rooms, screen sharing, polls, and other interactive tools to keep learners engaged.

It’s not some boring voiceover on a slide deck. It’s actual instruction, just happening on Zoom, Webex, or (ideally) a purpose-built platform like ReadyTech. And yes—there’s still a raise-hand button (but you don’t have to use it unless you want to 😉).

Why VILT Works for Adult Learners

  • Flexible scheduling: Whether it’s a 2-hour session before lunch or a short afternoon class, VILT lets learners train around their work and life, not the other way around.
  • Remote accessibility: Working from home? Traveling? Still in your pajamas? No problem. As long as there’s Wi-Fi, you’re good to go.
  • Built-in engagement: Through quizzes, live Q&As, and collaborative exercises, VILT keeps things interactive. You’re not just staring at slides—you’re in it.
  • Recorded sessions: Missed a class because of a toddler tantrum or surprise meeting? Just watch the replay. No judgment.

💡 Want to see how your team can learn faster and smarter with VILT? Book a demo and we’ll walk you through it—no cheesy slide decks, we promise.

Real Learning, Real Tools

VILT isn’t just about listening—it’s about doing. Platforms like ReadyTech don’t stop at live video. They also include virtual IT labs, hands-on exercises, and instructor tools that simulate real work environments.

That means learners can actually practice what they’re being taught in a safe, virtual space—no hardware setup, no travel, no stress. Whether you’re learning to code, troubleshoot a network, or run new software, it’s all there, ready to go.

The Business Case for VILT

If you’re managing training for a team, VILT also makes a lot of sense on the operational side:

  • Scales globally without added cost
  • Reduces overhead (no travel, hotels, or printed binders)
  • Delivers faster onboarding and upskilling
  • Tracks learner progress and participation in real time

In other words, it’s not just convenient—it’s smart. And it’s built for the way modern teams operate, especially in hybrid and remote-first environments.

TL;DR: Virtual Training Just Works

So while traditional training still has its place, virtual instructor-led training is clearly built for how we work and live today. It’s flexible, scalable, and surprisingly personal—even if you’re attending from your kitchen table.

Next, let’s talk about who’s actually doing the learning: Boomers, Millennials, Gen Z, and soon… Gen Alpha. Yep, that’s happening. 😬

5. Generational Learning Styles in the Workplace

Trying to train a multigenerational workforce? Congratulations—you’ve just entered one of the trickiest juggling acts in corporate learning. You’ve got Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z all in the same virtual room, each with different expectations, tech skills, and attention spans. And guess what? Gen Alpha is warming up in the wings. 😅

So how do you create corporate training solutions that actually work for everyone? First, you need to understand how each generation learns—and why virtual instructor-led training (VILT) is uniquely positioned to meet them all where they’re at.

Baby Boomers (Born 1946–1964): Give Them Structure

Boomers tend to prefer structured, instructor-led learning environments—think clear agendas, printed materials, and face-to-face interaction. They value authority and experience, and they don’t love sudden tech changes being thrown at them mid-session.

VILT Tip: Use clear agendas and step-by-step instructions. Provide downloadable resources or recorded sessions so they can review at their own pace.

Generation X (Born 1965–1980): Just Let Them Do It

Gen X is all about independence. They grew up as latchkey kids and brought that DIY mindset to the workplace. They want training that’s efficient, practical, and respects their time.

VILT Tip: Incorporate hands-on labs and real-world scenarios. Give them autonomy to move through content but keep the instructor nearby for support.

Millennials (Born 1981–1996): Make It Digital, Make It Meaningful

Millennials are digital natives who’ve been multitasking since they had sidekicks and MySpace accounts. They value collaboration, feedback, and purpose-driven content. If the training feels outdated or irrelevant, they’ll check out faster than you can say “corporate wellness initiative.”

VILT Tip: Use virtual classroom software with built-in engagement tools like live chat, polls, and breakout rooms. Bonus points for social learning and collaborative activities.

Generation Z (Born 1997–2012): Keep It Fast, Visual, and Interactive

Gen Z has never known a world without smartphones. They process information quickly and expect high levels of interactivity. Sitting through a long lecture? Not gonna happen.

VILT Tip: Break content into short, digestible segments. Add interactive quizzes, gamification, and visual elements. Keep it mobile-friendly, too—they may be joining from a phone.

Why Traditional Classrooms Are Missing the Mark

While the traditional classroom model may still work for some learners, it’s rapidly falling out of sync with the expectations of younger generations. Gen Z and Millennials are used to learning on demand, collaborating online, and personalizing their experiences. They grew up Googling answers, watching tutorials, and learning new skills on YouTube during their lunch breaks.

The structured, one-size-fits-all format of in-person corporate training doesn’t offer the speed, flexibility, or interactivity they crave. Gen Z, especially, is more likely to zone out in a static lecture environment. They want to click, swipe, and respond—not just sit and listen.

That’s where virtual instructor-led training shines. It gives learners what they want:

  • Real-time interaction without being tied to a physical location
  • The ability to learn from anywhere
  • Opportunities to collaborate, ask questions, and engage with content directly
  • Shorter, more focused sessions that respect their time and attention span

Generation Alpha (Born ~2013 and Beyond): The Future Is Virtual

Gen Alpha may not be in the workforce yet, but they’re already being shaped by tech in ways that make even Gen Z look analog. They’re growing up with AI tutors, personalized learning apps, and video-based education baked into their daily routine. When they do reach the workplace, sitting in a physical classroom will feel as outdated to them as chalkboards and overhead projectors do to Millennials.

Training Gen Alpha will require:

  • Smart, interactive platforms
  • On-demand access to instructors
  • Personalized learning paths
  • Real-time feedback and gamification
  • Fully virtual or hybrid options as the default—not the exception

Let’s be real—virtual instructor-led training won’t just be an option for Gen Alpha. It’ll be expected.

6. Challenges in Training Adults in the Workplace—and How VILT Solves Them

Life Is Busy—and Training Often Gets the Short End of the Stick

Training adults in the workplace sounds simple on paper. Book a room, hire an instructor, send out a calendar invite. Done, right?

Yeah… not quite.

The truth is, adult learners have a whole different set of challenges compared to traditional students. Between full-time jobs, parenting, deadlines, and about 27 Slack messages asking for “just a quick favor,” carving out time for professional development can feel like trying to schedule a vacation during tax season.

Let’s take a look at the biggest roadblocks adult learners face—and how virtual instructor-led training (VILT) clears the path.

1. Time Is Not on Their Side

Time is probably the single biggest hurdle. Most employees can’t afford to lose an entire day—or week—attending a traditional classroom training. They’ve got projects to finish, meetings to attend, and maybe a dog that needs walking during lunch.

In-person training often means rearranging schedules, booking travel, and stepping away from real responsibilities. That’s not just inconvenient—it’s expensive, both for the employee and the employer.

VILT Advantage: With VILT, you can break up training into shorter, more manageable sessions. Learners can join from anywhere (even during a quiet hour at home), and organizations can avoid the cost and disruption of pulling people out of their day-to-day roles.

2. The Cost of Travel and Logistics

Let’s be honest: traditional training can feel like planning a small conference. There’s the room to reserve, flights to book, hotels to cover, meals to cater, name tags to print—and don’t forget the awkward icebreakers on day one. Now multiply that by dozens (or hundreds) of learners across regions.

It’s not just exhausting—it’s expensive.

VILT Advantage: Virtual training eliminates the logistical chaos. No travel. No per diems. No fighting over the last outlet near the projector. Instead, learners log in from wherever they are, with everything they need right on their screen. It’s cost-effective, scalable, and way less stressful.

3. Competing Priorities and Burnout

Adult learners are often balancing multiple roles—employee, parent, partner, team lead, grocery shopper, life manager. Toss in some economic stress and constant change, and you’ve got a recipe for burnout.

Traditional classroom training can feel like “just one more thing” on an already overloaded plate.

VILT Advantage: Virtual instructor-led training is designed to fit into real life. It provides the flexibility adults need without sacrificing interactivity or accountability. Learners can engage in shorter bursts, review recorded sessions if they miss something, and participate without putting everything else on pause.

💡 Tired of juggling schedules and stressing over no-shows? Let ReadyTech help you simplify training for your learners and your team. We make virtual delivery seamless—support included.

4. Learning Fatigue and Information Overload

In long in-person sessions, it’s easy to hit the afternoon wall—especially when you’re staring at a whiteboard for hours. Adults don’t just want passive information dumps. They need interactive, engaging, real-world content that sticks.

VILT Advantage: VILT makes it easier to chunk content into smaller, digestible pieces. Instructors can mix things up with live polls, screen sharing, breakout rooms, or hands-on virtual labs to keep learners engaged. You’re not stuck in a chair watching slides—you’re actively participating.

5. Accessibility and Inclusivity

Not every learner has equal access to travel, time off, or a nearby training center. Traditional classrooms can unintentionally leave out remote workers, part-time staff, caregivers, and people with mobility or transportation limitations.

VILT Advantage: Because all you need is a computer and an internet connection, virtual classroom software makes training accessible to anyone, anywhere. It levels the playing field—whether you’re logging in from a corporate office or a small apartment between daycare pickups.

Bonus: ReadyTech’s support team is available 24/7, so learners across time zones always have help when they need it—without relying on chatbots or next-day replies.

Why Flexibility Isn’t a Luxury—It’s a Requirement

Traditional classrooms were designed for a time when people had fewer distractions, simpler schedules, and less geographic spread. But today’s workforce is global, fast-paced, and constantly on the move. And that means we need smarter, more flexible ways to learn.

Virtual instructor-led training isn’t just a nice-to-have. For many teams, it’s the only model that truly supports their learners’ realities.

7. Real-World Data: Why VILT Works (and What the Numbers Say)

Let’s take off the fuzzy socks and get serious for a second: you don’t just want opinions—you want proof. Anyone can say “virtual training is more efficient,” but if we’re going to talk about changing how we train adults in the workplace, we need cold, hard data.

So let’s dive into the stats that show exactly why virtual instructor-led training (VILT) is winning across industries, learner groups, and business models.

Adults Are Asking for Flexibility—and Fast

According to LinkedIn Learning’s 2024 Workplace Learning Report:

  • 94% of employees say they would stay at a company longer if it invested in their learning and development
  • 52% of employees prefer learning at the point of need—when it’s relevant to their role or tasks
  • 49% of learners want to learn at their own pace, in their own time

📌 What this tells us: Adults want virtual training delivery that’s fast, flexible, and designed to work around their actual lives—not a rigid schedule.

Traditional Classrooms Are Losing Ground

From the Training Industry Report 2023:

  • Instructor-led, in-person training dropped from 52% of training hours in 2019 to just 22% in 2023
  • Meanwhile, virtual instructor-led training grew from 21% in 2019 to 38% in 2023

📌 Translation: The shift isn’t just due to remote work—it’s because virtual formats like VILT are more scalable, more cost-effective, and more in tune with how people work today.

Virtual Learning Delivers Results

According to a Brandon Hall Group study:

  • Companies using VILT report 42% higher engagement than with self-paced learning alone
  • Learners in VILT environments retain up to 60% more information when sessions are interactive
  • Organizations increase training scalability by 30–50%, while cutting delivery costs by at least 40%

And from Deloitte:

  • Companies that invest in a strong learning culture are:
    • 56% more likely to be first to market
    • 92% more likely to innovate
    • 17% more likely to be market leaders in profitability

Learners Want Interaction—Not Just Information

Modern employees (especially Millennials and Gen Z) are demanding more personalized, interactive learning. According to Gallup and PwC:

  • 75% of employees are more likely to engage with live, interactive training
  • 72% of Millennials and Gen Z rank professional development among their top three workplace priorities
  • 61% of remote employees say access to live virtual training has improved their performance on the job

📌 Bottom line: It’s not just that VILT works. People want it. In fact, they expect it.

What This Means for L&D Leaders

All these numbers point to the same conclusion: VILT is not a temporary trend. It’s the foundation of modern, effective training. Whether you’re building out new hire onboarding, technical certification, or sales enablement, the ROI of virtual training is hard to beat.

💡 Want to take it further in Elementor? Add:

  • A side-by-side comparison chart: VILT vs. classroom
  • A data infographic block with 3–4 callout stats
  • Testimonial quote blocks with success metrics

8. Creating an Effective Adult Learning Program (That Doesn’t Feel Like a Corporate Time Sink)

Let’s be honest—most training programs are well-intentioned… but kind of boring. You click through some slides, answer a couple multiple-choice questions, nod politely in a Zoom call, and then immediately forget 80% of it by lunch.

If you want to build a program that actually teaches adults something—one that they’ll remember, apply, and maybe even enjoy—you need to go beyond the basics. That means more than just “make it interactive” or “use multimedia.”

Let’s break down how to create an adult learning experience that sticks—with virtual instructor-led training (VILT) at the center.

1. Design with Purpose, Not Just Content

  • Start with the outcome: What should the learner be able to do after this training? Be specific. Not “understand cloud computing,” but “spin up a virtual machine in AWS without help.”
  • Use backward design: Work backwards from that outcome. What knowledge, practice, and feedback do they need to get there?

💡 Tip: Use your virtual classroom software to simulate real-world environments where learners can practice, make mistakes, and learn in context—not just theory.

2. Modularize Everything

Long-form, 3-hour lectures are a guaranteed way to lose attention—especially when half your learners are toggling between tabs and Teams notifications.

  • 20–30 minute focused sessions
  • Each with a single learning goal
  • Add a short hands-on activity or reflection at the end

3. Make Hands-On the Main Event

Most adult learners don’t want to just listen—they want to do. But too many training programs treat hands-on components as optional, or something you cram in at the end.

  • Lead with a real task or problem, then build the learning around solving it
  • Use case studies, simulations, and virtual IT labs that mimic real work environments
  • Make the activity the main event—not the slides

💡 Pro move: With ReadyTech’s built-in labs, you can launch technical practice environments in seconds—no extra hardware or setup needed.

4. Build in Real-Time Feedback (That Doesn’t Feel Like a Pop Quiz)

Adults want to know if they’re on track—but they don’t want to be treated like students.

Instead of formal quizzes and exams, offer feedback in ways that feel collaborative and supportive:

  • Live walkthroughs of solutions
  • Group problem-solving and peer discussion
  • “What would you do?” real-world scenarios
  • Instructor check-ins to adjust content in real-time
  • Use tools like polls, annotation tools, or screen control to make feedback part of the learning—not something that comes after

5. Personalize the Experience (Even in a Group)

Not everyone learns the same way. Some learners want to dive into labs. Others want to ask a million questions. Some just want the manual and 20 minutes of silence.

Use your VILT platform to meet them where they are:

  • Breakout rooms by skill level
  • Optional “challenge” exercises or peer coaching
  • Polls or surveys to adjust pace and difficulty
  • ReadyTech’s support team can help you configure learning paths that suit your learners’ needs from day one

6. Extend the Learning Beyond the Session

A great training program includes support after the final slide.

  • Send post-session summaries or short recap videos
  • Include self-assessments or mini challenges
  • Use weekly check-ins or practice tasks to reinforce application
  • Offer follow-up sessions or “office hours” for additional coaching

💡 Want to take this further? Turn your training program into a journey with checkpoints, challenges, and real rewards.

💡 Building a program from scratch? ReadyTech’s team of former trainers can help you map your goals, configure your labs, and deliver a full VILT program that learners will actually thank you for.

Effective adult training isn’t about flashy presentations or overstuffed agendas—it’s about clarity, application, relevance, and respect for the learner’s time and experience. Virtual instructor-led training gives you the flexibility to do all of this, without sacrificing structure or accountability.

Next up: what’s coming for workplace learning—and how the future of training is being shaped by tech, behavior shifts, and new learner expectations.

9. The Future of Workplace Training: What’s Next?

Let’s take a peek into the crystal ball. (Okay, it’s really just data and trend reports, but it’s way more reliable than your cousin’s tarot card reading.)

Workplace training isn’t what it used to be—and that’s a good thing. We’re not handing out binders anymore. Employees don’t want to sit through four-hour lectures in a windowless room. And let’s be honest, nobody misses the “training doughnuts” that somehow always taste like cardboard.

So where’s it all going? Here’s what the future of workplace training looks like—and why virtual instructor-led training (VILT) is right at the center of it.

1. Microlearning Will Rule

Bite-sized training is here to stay. Attention spans aren’t getting longer—and the average adult learner is juggling notifications, Slack messages, and life all at once.

  • 5–15 minute sessions
  • On-demand videos
  • Just-in-time labs for skill refreshers

VILT Advantage: You can stack or space out micro sessions in your virtual training platform and still maintain instructor interaction. It’s scalable, repeatable, and learner-approved.

2. AI Will Personalize Learning Paths

AI isn’t just for ChatGPT. It’s already being used to:

  • Recommend training based on job role and performance
  • Adjust lesson pacing in real time
  • Predict learner drop-off and suggest interventions

ReadyTech Insight: Expect more platforms to use AI to deliver adaptive VILT experiences—combining live instruction with predictive personalization.

3. Hybrid Learning Becomes the Norm

Not everything will be fully remote—and that’s okay. The future is hybrid: some sessions virtual, others in-person, all interconnected.

  • Virtual onboarding + live meetups
  • Hands-on labs for remote learners + on-site assessments
  • Live instructor interaction + post-session recordings

With VILT, you can blend training environments seamlessly—scaling globally while still maintaining human connection.

4. Learner-Centered Design Becomes Non-Negotiable

We’re moving beyond what the company wants learners to know, and toward what learners need to succeed.

  • Practical, task-based content
  • Self-paced options paired with instructor Q&A
  • Continuous feedback loops
  • A focus on outcomes over checkboxes

VILT Tools Make This Easy: ReadyTech’s learning delivery platform lets you design instructor-led experiences with data-backed flexibility, control, and support.

5. Gen Z (and Soon Gen Alpha) Are Rewriting the Rules

These generations don’t just prefer digital learning—they expect it.

  • Mobile-first design
  • Interactive tools and gamification
  • Social learning and collaborative breakouts
  • Zero tolerance for clunky software

When Gen Alpha hits the workforce (and they will soon), they’ll be fully native to AI tutors, personalized learning engines, and voice-controlled interfaces.

📌 If you’re still relying on Zoom and PDFs, they’ll notice—and they’ll bounce.

6. Training Will Drive Business Strategy, Not Just Support It

L&D isn’t an afterthought anymore—it’s a competitive advantage.

  • Companies with strong learning cultures are more innovative, more profitable, and more agile
  • VILT makes it easier to scale knowledge across distributed teams quickly
  • It’s not just onboarding—it’s sales enablement, compliance, customer training, product rollouts, and more

TL;DR: The Future of Training Isn’t Coming—It’s Already Here

The workplace is changing. Your learners are changing. And how you train them has to change too.

Virtual instructor-led training is how you get ahead—and stay there.

It’s flexible, measurable, scalable, and human.

And it’s not just the future of training. It’s the now.

10. FAQ: Everything You’ve Ever Wondered About VILT and Training Adults in the Workplace

Q1. What exactly is virtual instructor-led training (VILT)?

Virtual instructor-led training (VILT) is live, interactive training delivered by a real instructor through virtual classroom software. Unlike self-paced courses or static webinars, VILT sessions happen in real-time and include breakout rooms, screen sharing, chat, polling, and hands-on practice.

VILT combines the structure of a classroom with the flexibility of remote access—making it perfect for today’s busy, distributed workforce.

Q2. How is VILT different from webinars or eLearning?

Webinars and eLearning are typically one-way and pre-recorded. VILT is real-time, two-way, and instructor-led. Learners engage in conversations, collaborate with peers, and get live feedback during sessions. It’s structured and interactive, not passive.

Need to go deeper? Check out our post on VILT vs Traditional Training.

Q3. What challenges do adult learners face, and how does VILT help?

Adults face time constraints, competing priorities, burnout, and location-based barriers. VILT addresses all of these by offering:

  • Short, flexible sessions
  • Remote access
  • Real-time instruction
  • Hands-on labs for practice
  • Recordings and support for review

It fits into their lives—not the other way around.

Q4. Can VILT work for technical or hands-on training?

Absolutely. Platforms like ReadyTech include virtual IT labs that simulate real environments. Learners can code, configure, troubleshoot, and practice tasks directly from their browser.

This is a game-changer for training in cybersecurity, cloud computing, network admin, and software tools—without needing local hardware.

Q5. What’s the ideal length for a VILT session?

Keep sessions short and focused: ideally 60–90 minutes with one clear goal. For longer sessions, break them into modules with breaks, Q&A, or activities between.

📌 Pro tip: Use a microlearning approach to keep learners engaged and reduce fatigue.

Q6. How do I measure the success of a VILT program?

Combine both quantitative and qualitative methods:

  • Attendance and participation rates
  • Completion of labs or assignments
  • Quiz scores and assessments
  • Learner feedback and surveys
  • On-the-job behavior change

Tools like instructor dashboards and learning analytics make this easy in modern VILT platforms.

Q7. How does VILT support different learning styles?

Whether someone is a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner, VILT can adapt:

  • Visual learners → slide decks, diagrams, shared screens
  • Auditory learners → live explanations and discussions
  • Kinesthetic learners → hands-on labs and interactive simulations
  • Social learners → group breakouts, peer reviews
Q8. What role should instructors play in VILT?

Instructors are facilitators, not just lecturers. They:

  • Guide the discussion
  • Adapt to learner needs in real-time
  • Encourage interaction
  • Monitor performance
  • Use tools like breakout rooms, polls, and whiteboards
Q9. How does VILT compare to traditional classroom training?

Data shows that VILT:

  • Improves retention by up to 60%
  • Cuts training costs by 40% or more
  • Boosts accessibility for remote and global teams
  • Allows for on-demand learning and built-in practice environments

See our breakdown in this blog.

Q10. Is VILT good for onboarding new employees?

Yes—and it’s actually ideal. With VILT, you can offer:

  • Global onboarding at scale
  • Personalized learning tracks
  • Live Q&A with leadership
  • Lab-based product or tool training
  • Consistent brand/culture immersion
Q11. Can I personalize VILT for different skill levels or roles?

Yes. ReadyTech lets you personalize via:

  • Pre-assessments
  • Breakout rooms by skill level
  • Optional advanced labs
  • Custom course paths
  • Real-time instructor pacing adjustments
Q12. Is VILT affordable for small businesses?

Definitely. VILT eliminates travel costs, reduces instructor time, and doesn’t require expensive infrastructure. ReadyTech also offers flexible pricing plans for small teams, large enterprises, and everything in between.

Contact us to learn about packages tailored to your business size.

Q13. What should I look for in a virtual classroom platform?

Look for:

  • Real-time instructor tools
  • Built-in hands-on labs
  • Performance tracking
  • Breakout room support
  • LMS integration
  • 24/7 support (not just bots)

Spoiler: ReadyTech offers all of this—and more.

Q14. Why aren’t Zoom and Webex enough for virtual training?

Because they’re built for meetings—not learning. They lack:

  • Lab environments
  • Learner tracking
  • Instructor engagement tools
  • Integrated assessments
  • Multi-session learning journeys

For serious training delivery, you need a purpose-built VILT platform like ReadyTech.

Q15. Is ReadyTech a good platform for virtual instructor-led training?

We’re not just “good.” We’re the best. 💪

ReadyTech isn’t just another training tool. We’re an all-in-one virtual training delivery platform built by former instructors who know what real training looks like. Here’s what sets us apart:

  • Excellent reviews from clients of all sizes—from fast-moving startups to enterprise giants
  • A truly all-in-one platform with built-in hands-on labs, real-time instructor tools, breakout sessions, analytics, and learner engagement features
  • 24/7/365 live global support—not bots. Real people, instantly. Every. Single. Time.
  • Custom setup and configuration for your unique needs—we don’t do cookie-cutter
  • Flexible pricing for small businesses to global enterprises
  • Support for on-premise lab training, hardware integrations, and cloud-based lab environments—no other competitor offers this breadth
  • We help you design and deliver the training experience you want, not what the software limits you to

Zoom and Webex? Great for meetings. Not for building a modern learning experience. Our platform is purpose-built to make managing virtual training seamless, scalable, and learner-centered.

Q16. Can VILT be used for sales demos or sales enablement?

Absolutely—and it’s one of the most overlooked use cases for VILT. Sales teams are often remote, distributed, and working in fast-paced environments. Traditional sales training—think classroom sessions or static LMS content—just can’t keep up.

With virtual instructor-led training, you can deliver:

  • Live product walk-throughs with real-time Q&A
  • Role-playing exercises in breakout rooms
  • Hands-on access to your software or platform through virtual labs
  • Micro sessions to onboard new reps on features or competitive positioning

According to HubSpot, companies that invest in ongoing sales training and enablement see 23% higher win rates compared to those that don’t. And the Sales Management Association reports 15% better quota attainment with structured sales enablement programs.

VILT makes it easier to:

  • Get new sales hires up to speed faster
  • Keep teams current with product changes
  • Practice pitches and objection handling in realistic environments
  • Scale training across time zones without losing quality

Conclusion: Training Adults in the Workplace Isn’t What It Used to Be—And That’s a Good Thing

Let’s face it: today’s learners aren’t sitting in cubicles, sipping drip coffee, and flipping through printed binders. They’re remote. They’re busy. They’re from five different generations. And they don’t just want training—they want relevant, flexible, hands-on learning that works around their lives.

That’s why virtual instructor-led training (VILT) has emerged as the new gold standard for delivering engaging, scalable workplace training. Throughout this blog, we’ve explored:

  • ✅ What makes adult learners unique
  • ✅ Why traditional training falls short
  • ✅ The advantages of virtual training delivery
  • ✅ How to build a VILT program that works
  • ✅ What each generation expects from training
  • ✅ Real-world data that proves VILT gets results
  • ✅ The future of workplace learning—and why it’s digital, personalized, and flexible

Whether you’re training a cybersecurity team, onboarding remote hires, or empowering global sales teams, ReadyTech’s VILT platform gives you everything you need to deliver results-driven, modern training experiences.

How ReadyTech Can Help

We built ReadyTech to solve the exact challenges you’ve read about in this blog. We’re not a meeting platform. We’re not just another LMS. We’re a purpose-built training delivery solution designed to support every part of your virtual learning strategy.

  • 🧠 All-in-one VILT platform: From live instruction to breakout rooms to hands-on labs, ReadyTech brings it all together—without the tech headaches.
  • 🧪 Integrated hands-on labs: Our virtual IT labs let learners apply what they’re learning in real time. No setup. No downloads.
  • 🌍 24/7/365 global human support: No chatbots. No wait times. Our real support team is always there—for you and your learners.
  • 🎯 Custom configuration & setup: Need to deliver training in a hybrid environment? Want to match your labs to your curriculum? We’ve got you covered—with expert onboarding and ongoing support.
  • 🏢 Built by former trainers: We know what it takes because we’ve been there. Our platform is designed with instructors and adult learners in mind.
  • 💼 Flexible pricing: From small teams to global enterprises, we offer scalable pricing to match your needs and budget.

Let’s Build the Future of Training—Together

If you’re ready to deliver training that actually makes a difference—training that engages, empowers, and equips adult learners to succeed—ReadyTech is your partner.

]]> 3 Reasons Why You Need Virtual Instructor-Led Training https://www.readytech.com/virtual-instructor-led-training/ Wed, 30 Nov 2022 20:55:37 +0000 http://localhost:10022/?p=11732 3 Reasons Why You Need Virtual Instructor-Led Training Read More »

]]> Virtual instructor-led training is the process of delivering e-learning courses that are led by a virtual instructor. They are also referred to as virtual classrooms or virtual learning environments. The virtual instructor is an AI-powered bot that monitors learner performance and provides real-time feedback. Virtual instructor-led training removes the barriers between students and instructors, allowing organizations to scale e-learning programs at a low cost with high adoption rates and minimal logistical support from onsite staff. This article will explore what VILT is, its benefits, how it works, different types, the technology behind it, and examples of organizations using it for their employee training programs.

What is Virtual Instructor-Led Training?

Virtual Instructor-Led Training is the practice of delivering online courses through e-learning that are led by a virtual instructor. The bot, which has been developed with complex algorithms, closely monitors the learner’s progress and presents timely feedback and instructions. Although virtual instructor-led training is a relatively new concept, it is something that organizations have been pursuing since the mid-2000s. Virtual instructor-led training is a highly scalable solution that uses AI-powered virtual instructors to facilitate courses that are delivered online, on-site or both. The approach enables organizations to increase their reach (e.g., geographically distribute their instructors) and scale their course offerings quickly.

3 Benefits of Virtual Instructor-Led Training

There are many benefits to organizations that are opting for virtual instructor-led training. These include cost savings, scalability, and flexibility. Training costs can be reduced through economies of scale, as well as the use of a centralized service. Moreover, scalability is another key benefit because organizations can easily expand the number of learners with little lead time. Additionally, virtual instructor-led training provides flexibility. Learners can access the content at their own pace, which eases the burden of having to schedule time with instructors.

How Does Virtual Instructor-Led Training work?

Virtual instructor-led training is a blended learning approach that uses AI-powered virtual instructors for live and asynchronous interactive sessions. The virtual instructor plays the role of a facilitator, providing real-time guidance and responding to learner questions and comments. These virtual instructors are monitored continuously by supervisors to ensure high-quality interactions. Virtual instructor-led training is an asynchronous approach that lets learners study on their own schedule and receive timely, contextual feedback from the instructor. This asynchronous model is helpful for learners who work full-time, have an erratic schedule, or are in different time zones.

Types of Virtual Instructor-Led Training

There are three main types of virtual instructor-led training: Live Instructor-Led Training (LILT), Blended Instructor-Led Training (BILT), and Asynchronous Instructor-Led Training (AILT). Live Instructor-Led Training (LILT) is the traditional online training model that leverages one-to-many communication through a central instructor. Blended Instructor-Led Training (BILT), on the other hand, is the combination of online and face-to-face learning. In this model, a centralized instructor uses a combination of live and asynchronous sessions to manage a large number of learners. On the other hand, asynchronous Instructor-Led Training (AILT) is a completely online training model that relies on asynchronous communication between learners and instructors. A centralized instructor manages a small number of learners and guides them through the content.

Technology Behind VILT

Simulations – Virtual instructors can guide learners through simulations of real-world scenarios to let them practice their skills in a safe environment.

Artificial Intelligence – AI-powered virtual instructors can track learners’ progress and provide tailored feedback.

Chatbots – Chatbots can be used to manage interactions, such as scheduling, grading, and feedback.

Video – Video can be used to make content more visual and engaging, as well as to let learners access content on the go.

Voice – Voice can be used to create audiobooks and podcasts to help learners study while commuting.

Cloud-Based – The technology behind virtual instructor-led training is cloud-based, so learners can access the content from any device with an internet connection.

Final Words: The Future of E-learning

There are many technological advancements that are taking e-learning to new levels of engagement, efficiency, and scalability. Some of these include the use of virtual instructor-led training, the growth of digital learning platforms, the expansion of artificial intelligence, and the rise of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technology. Going forward, organizations should expect more sophisticated e-learning tools and solutions as technology continues to evolve.

We Can Help

Companies that invest in employee training benefit from reduced attrition rates and hiring costs, better employee productivity, more knowledgeable employees, and a competitive hiring package. ReadyTech’s remote training software provides different ways to interact with trainers and peers, encouraging participation and active learning. We provide companies and their employees with a hosted training solution that offers hands-on, virtual training software to aid your workforce in practicing job skills.

If you are still interested in learning about virtual instructor-led training, read some best practices here. ReadyTech provides you with everything you need, and we offer a full-service setup process and 24/7 live support. Do you have questions? Contact us today.

]]> On-Demand Learning https://www.readytech.com/on-demand-learning/ Fri, 04 Jun 2021 11:16:35 +0000 http://localhost:10022/?p=3297 On-Demand Learning Read More »

]]> It was not too long ago when the L&D department’s sole focus was compliance training. While it is an essential and required box to check over the last ten years, the L&D discipline has become so much more. It’s now a leadership and management development engine, a master of Instructor-Led Training (ILT), and an expert in scaling learning across the corporation by offering virtual classroom software learning programs.

More importantly, it has become a growth engine for career paths and meaningful business impact, with the US e-learning market possibly growing by $12.81 billion between 2020 and 2024 (source: Market Research). According to an eLearning Industry survey, 47% of organizations have negatively impacted their training budgets due to the pandemic. But more than 23% of organizations are trying to completely migrate from face-to-face classroom training to virtual classroom software and on-demand formats. The fast-changing and volatile challenges of work may seem insurmountable. But the learning activities of thousands of international businesses offer a glimpse of the bright future ahead for on-demand learning.

Nurturing a culture of learning to upskill your employees makes good business sense. It’s simply too expensive for companies to hire their way out of the skills gap.

On-demand learning – What do we see as we move through 2021?

Soft skills training is seeing a rise in demand, including blended learning that includes Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) to replicate the fundamental nature of in-person instruction.

eLearning for self-paced learning – Expanding on what was covered in VILT sessions. Students can use instructional strategies such as scenarios, simulations, and case studies to increase engagement while giving a taste of real-life problems.

Mobile learning  – Ideal if you’re on the go, for anytime-anywhere access to learning assets, including performance support.

Microlearning – such as videos, problem-based exercises, audio podcasts to reinforce and refresh learning to beat the ‘I’ve forgotten it’ curve.

Personalized learning paths – Using LMS (Learning Management Systems). A Learning Experience Platform (LXP) is even better for adaptive learning.

Social learning –  Elements that include discussion forums, activities on social sites, ask an SME—can inspire learners to seek and share information and best practices that they can use in their jobs.

Another lesson from 2020 that affects eLearning in 2021 is that many people who begrudgingly started working remotely have found that they want to continue.

Surveys of employees have found that fully 90% of employees want to continue working from home [1] in at least some capacity. Almost 50% of workers in these surveys indicated that they wish to continue to work remotely for most or all of their time.

The shifting workplace means that the future of corporate learning must inevitably become more flexible so employees can take training when they need it.

Virtual Classroom Software

On-demand learning allows students to work through a class in their own time, start and stop labs, access training videos and other course materials while keeping engaged with quizzes and polls — all powered by ReadyTech. If you have further questions about on-demand learning, speak to one of the expert team on +1 (800) 707-1009 or email us by clicking this link.

References:

[1] A large majority of people want to continue some form of flexible working

]]> What eLearning Coaching Skills are Essential Nowadays? https://www.readytech.com/what-elearning-coaching-skills-are-essential-nowadays/ Thu, 20 Aug 2020 10:57:06 +0000 http://localhost:10022/?p=3432 What eLearning Coaching Skills are Essential Nowadays? Read More »

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These days, managers and people in high business positions are being encouraged to attune their coaching skills. Having adequate knowledge of coaching can help a leader to better support their team, employees, or organization. Luckily, coaching skills are not hard to access. In fact, they can be learned online through various eLearning platforms. No matter which platform you choose, make sure that these skills are up to date.

Active Listening

Being a good leader requires good listening skills. When you can hear your teammates and understand their needs, you’re better able to address them. Your team will trust you more if they know that you care. One way to show that you care is through active listening. Active listening means that you listen and, at the same time, show that you understand. Make sure that you look at whoever is speaking and give them your full attention. Maintain eye contact as long as that’s comfortable. Nod your head to show that you’re paying attention and consider mirroring body language. This is an unconscious cue to the speaker that you’re engaged in the conversation.

Focus

Distractions are everywhere. From phones to tablets to computers to smart watches. In this modern world, a little focus goes a long way. Show your team that you care by offering your full attention. Focus applies to one-on-one interactions, as well as long-term goals. When you’re speaking to a team member or employee, focus on them. Eliminate distractions and make sure they know they have your full attention.

This is also relevant when you’re working toward a goal, or setting future goals. Show your team or your employees that your shared success matters to you. With a little focus, your team or employees will trust you more, and that’s at the core of every collaborative effort.

Related Content: Embracing Mindfulness as a Corporate Leadership Strategy

Patience

It’s easy to be impatient. In our modern world, many things are instantaneous. There’s instant connectivity, instant search results, instant gratification everywhere you look. Because of this, it can be hard to slow down. Because of this, those who do remember to be patient will stand out to others. When an employee or team member has a concern, take the time to really listen. Don’t rush others. Additionally, remember that everyone develops at their own pace. Be patient with people and their rate of growth. Trust that they are on a path and that they will learn in their own time if given the right support.

Synthesis

This is a tricky one, and it comes with practice. But it’s one of the most important skills for a coach. Synthesis is taking in lots of information and providing a big-picture assessment. As a leader in your organization, your employees and teammates look to you to provide perspective and insight. Take the time to process information so that you can provide the most accurate synthesis of it. A long-range view can benefit you in helping your team.

Related Content: Improving Collaboration and Communication within Remote Teams

The eLearning Model

When you’re ready to employ the eLearning model for your coaching skills, ReadyTech is here to help. We provide everything from hosting technology and payment management to the tools your instructors need. Contact us today and get started with advanced education technology, so you’re prepared to succeed.

]]> Is My Organization Ready for Virtual Training? https://www.readytech.com/is-my-organization-ready-for-virtual-training/ Wed, 24 Jul 2019 12:13:49 +0000 http://localhost:10022/?p=3487 Is My Organization Ready for Virtual Training? Read More »

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Simply put, online training makes sense. It gives students the freedom to learn where it’s convenient for them, and it makes learning accessible to all customers, employees and partners. When compared to in-person training, virtual instructor-led training (VILT) provides the same content, instructors, learning experience, learning results and productivity gains. In fact, a U.S. Department of Education study of online learning found that learning outcomes for students who engaged in online learning exceeded those of students receiving in-person instruction.

Additionally, because virtual training software lowers the cost to attend courses, it makes training more accessible. And, unlike brick-and-mortar training facilities that have physical space limitations, online training platforms can always add student seats and have no limitation in the number of courses that can organizations can offer at any given time.

Making the switch to online training requires effort and buy-in. Educating key stakeholders on how a virtual training environment works, demonstrating the cost savings and value, and choosing vendors are critical steps. And don’t forget managing the actual class delivery, from the technical aspects of virtual training to instructor preparation, support, material distribution and contingency plans.

Before making the switch, evaluate these four key areas:

1. Stakeholder Education

Ensure that stakeholders understand the difference between webinars and virtual training, as this confusion is quite common. The main difference between the two platforms is that webinars typically share ideas and experiences or promote a speaker, while virtual training environment software facilitates learning and offers the option for hands-on exercises (known as virtual training labs).

Ensure that stakeholders understand the difference between webinars and virtual training.

In virtual training labs, students learn how to use software in a real-life environment, which drastically improves results. And, because VILT software allow instructors to see all learners’ remote desktop screens, they are able to provide step-by-step guidance. Virtual training software is also built specifically for training delivery, so companies that offer it understand the needs of training departments.

2. Return on Investment

When you compare in-person training and online training, online training is more cost-effective. Virtual training platforms increase the reach of training departments and allow learners from all over the world to attend the same course. Furthermore, VILT increases reach by lowering the cost to attend training, as there is no need to travel to a physical training facility.

The cost savings of moving to VILT are significant. In fact, according to a Citrix GoToTraining report, “Companies can save between $9,550 and $15,870 by moving one course from a traditional classroom to VILT.” Savings include reduced technology spending, travel and transportation costs, and productivity loss experienced by learners’ taking time away from work. In addition, training departments don’t need to invest in training classrooms, computer equipment and IT staff to set up a virtual training lab (sometimes referred to as a lab environment).

3. Transitioning to Online Training

When making the transition to virtual training, it is vital to select the right virtual training software and virtual training lab solution. It’s also important to train instructors on the use of the virtual classroom software and run a pilot class with the vendors on your shortlist to ensure a thorough evaluation and selection process. Let’s take a closer look:

Train instructors on the use of the virtual classroom software and run a pilot class with the vendors on your shortlist.

 

Selecting Effective and Experienced Instructors

While transitioning to a hosted training solution, you will likely meet some resistance from your instructor team. Start with instructors who are open for change, know the course content well and have an aptitude for technology. After all, virtual training will require more interaction with technology then in-person training. Instructors should:

  • Embrace change.
  • Be technologically savvy.
  • Be able to effectively communicate and establish an online presence.
  • Understand how to use collaboration and web conferencing tools.

Evaluating Virtual Training Software Vendors

Because there are many virtual training software platforms, it is critical to define what you will use the software for, who will use it and under what conditions. Here are some questions to help you determine which virtual training platform will best suit your organization’s needs:

  • What are the must-have and nice-to-have features?
  • Do students need access to a hands-on lab environment?
  • How many concurrent classes will you offer, how many students will be in each class and where are the students located?
  • How consistent is your training demand?
  • Do you need a multi-language virtual training platform?
  • Do students need to be able to access the virtual training platform outside the office?

After you answer these questions, start your search for vendors that can meet your requirements, and evaluate them to make sure they actually can meet them through proofs of concept and free trials.

Training Instructors for the Virtual Training Environment

Because teaching in a virtual training environment requires specific skills, it is critical to train instructors. A successful training plan includes:

  • Having the vendor train your instructors on how to use the VILT software and ensuring they have a deep understanding of the environment and all tools.
  • Helping instructors develop their online presentation skills.
  • Encouraging instructors to be energetic, since they are not in the same classroom as students, and good intonation is, therefore, even more important.
  • Guiding instructors on how to change activities every seven to 10 minutes, moving between lectures, demonstrations, IT training labs, and Q&A to keep class engagement up.

Running a Pilot Class

Before going live with an online course, instructors should perform a pilot class with colleagues or friends. The purpose of this class is to do a test run, giving the training department an opportunity to work out any technical kinks, receive feedback and identify issues with the curriculum. It also gives instructors the chance to check for inaccurate visuals or trim down lectures that are too long. After the pilot class, work with your virtual training software vendor, your IT staff and your curriculum developers to update the class as needed.

4. Class Delivery

When delivering an actual class, it is helpful for an assistant instructor to manage the technical aspects of training, especially if your instructors are teaching a course for the first time or are new to virtual training, if the lab exercises are not spelled out (which increases the amount of help students will need), or if the course has a large number of attendees (more than 15).

In addition, it’s important to consider material distribution. Because training materials are often proprietary intellectual property, it is critical to find a secure way to transfer and control materials and to ensure that materials are difficult to copy and paste.

Contingency plans also are necessary for the virtual environment. Any number of technical issues (e.g., poor internet connection) can put an end to a class for an entire day. A lost day negatively affects learners who are forced to reschedule classes, as well as the lost revenue for training departments. As a result, immediate technical support is essential for every virtual environment. In the case of virtual training, internet connection is critical. Make sure you have at least one backup internet connection source, such as a WiFi hotspot.

Immediate technical support is essential for every virtual environment.

]]> Increase Training Value with Virtual Training Labs https://www.readytech.com/increase-training-value-with-virtual-training-labs/ Wed, 10 Jul 2019 12:14:43 +0000 http://localhost:10022/?p=3489 Increase Training Value with Virtual Training Labs Read More »

]]> If you wanted to make a name for yourself within a company, what kind of initiative would you spearhead? Product development? Improving customer satisfaction? Breaking into a difficult new market? Whatever it is, it would have to be something that executives and shareholders would notice on the bottom line at the end of the year.

So, why are we unlikely to see “invest in virtual computer training” on that list?

Training and education aren’t as superficially exciting as some of those other initiatives. You don’t feel the same sense of victory from helping people acquire a new set of skills that you do when you launch an attention-grabbing marketing campaign, land a huge new client or invent a new product. It’s easy to see how people can overlook training and education.

However, overlooking training is a critical mistake. Investing in the right kind of training can generate significant value for your business. Effective training and education helps companies make more money, deliver better results, and retain their best and brightest employees. Not all the benefits of improved training are easy to quantify, but when you know what to look for, you can see all the ways that training pays dividends.

Training for the Right Skills

When it comes to achieving value from training, it’s key to train your employees in the right skills. For a long time, soft skills training has been a popular subject in online training courses. In today’s high-tech workforce, however, soft skills alone aren’t going to give your workers much of an advantage.

The world is changing, and the driving force behind many of the most dramatic changes is technology. We use more technology as part of our everyday lives than ever before. Every day brings new innovations, new ideas for integrating technology into our home and work life, and new opportunities either to master the skills needed to function within this changing world – or to be left behind.

To acquire valuable skills, learners need a platform that goes beyond traditional, passive online learning models. They need a platform that gives them hands-on practice, the freedom to experiment and make mistakes, and expert guidance to direct them.

To acquire valuable skills, learners need a platform that goes beyond traditional, passive online learning models.

Virtual Training Labs: Ideal for Technology Training

When it comes to learning new software and acquiring other high tech skills, virtual training labs are close to the ideal platform. They offer nearly all of the advantages of in-person instruction with a lab environment, while eliminating many of the inconveniences and drawbacks.

With virtual training labs, learners can use their own device to connect directly to a virtual training environment that perfectly replicates the hardware, software and screen display of whatever setup they need to be trained on. They can use the real thing, gaining hands-on experience in a safe and secure environment.

To cement skill acquisition and help students take their knowledge to the next level, virtual training labs can offer virtual instructor-led training (VILT). With VILT, an instructor is present in the virtual training environment to advise and monitor students while helping steer class discussion and hands-on exercises in productive directions.

Nearly any online training solution that includes a cloud lab environment will provide a better value to the organization using it, because labs are the most effective way to teach “hard” tech skills online. Hard skills have a meaningful impact on employee development, leading to better knowledge retention, increased productivity and higher ROI.

Hard skills lead to better knowledge retention, increased productivity and higher ROI.

If you’re still comparing in person training and online training, consider how costs add up for remote employees who have to travel for in-person training. While each organization’s actual savings may vary, online training can cost as much as 70 percent less than the in-person equivalent, based on ReadyTech data.

For students and training departments alike, virtual training labs provide much of their value in two key areas: cost savings and productivity.

Cost Savings

  • For students, there’s no travel required, which means no arranging transportation, no employee wear and tear, no having to make hotel reservations, and no per diem expenses to reimburse.
  • For training departments, there’s no need to set up or tear down labs, procure training spaces, maintain the training facility, or ask IT people for fixes and upgrades.

Productivity

  • For students, less travel means more time working at their desks.
  • For instructors, less travel means more time preparing educational materials and teaching courses.

Many companies overlook their training departments when they’re looking for areas to operations. Before the advent of high-speed internet and computers, this oversight may have been understandable; the technology to make virtual training labs (also known as IT training labs) that match the potential of real-world labs wasn’t available.

While the most direct ROI from a virtual training platform comes from the reduction in travel costs, there are many other ways it can add value to your bottom line:

Training delivery platforms deliver clear benefits to students, instructors, training departments and the organization as a whole. There isn’t a single stakeholder that won’t realize benefits from a virtual training software that empowers employees with the skills they need to excel in today’s high-tech business world.

Considering the current situation, what excuse do companies have for maintaining a training department that’s stuck in the 20th century?

There isn’t a single stakeholder that won’t realize benefits from a virtual training software.

]]> How Relationships Market Your L&D Function In Your Company? https://www.readytech.com/how-relationships-market-your-ld-function-in-your-company/ Tue, 23 Apr 2019 12:40:58 +0000 http://localhost:10022/?p=3505 How Relationships Market Your L&D Function In Your Company? Read More »

]]> Know your target audience and build relationships throughout the organization.

These are the two basic strategies at the heart of marketing, according to Melissa Smith and Maria Chilcote.

In their article, Take the Mystery out of Marketing Your Learning Function, the managing partners and owners of The Training Clinic maintain that marketing is a skill, which commonly eludes many in the learning and development sector.

As a result, they offer the following advice for L&D professionals looking to create seamless marketing efforts:

Assess your Audience

To determine the training needs of your company, constantly assess. Use performance analyses, target population analyses, goal analyses and task analyses to differentiate your company’s training needs from the organizational or environmental problems that can hinder performance.

“We partner with management throughout this process—not only to learn from them but also to educate them about the root causes and possible solutions for non-performance,” writes Smith and Chilcote. “In other words, we help them move beyond ‘training’ as the only answer when addressing performance needs.”

Be Proactive

To reach the managers and directors who do not understand exactly what L&D can achieve, it is very important to be proactive. This means “making sure they know who L&D is before they know that they need you.”

To accomplish this, learn about their goals, as well as their pain points. Once you grasp these, you can help create an appropriate plan to achieve a desired performance. Don’t wait for them to come to you. Be proactive and take the initiative to insert yourself into other departments.

Build relationships

It is vital to develop connections throughout the organization. According to Smith and Chilcote, this translates into the following:

  • Work with management to assess, develop and deliver training.
  • Provide subject matter experts with the skills to improve training delivery.
  • Get executives on board to develop performance improvement initiatives.
  • Coach supervisors to reinforce on-the-job training.

Cultivate Champions

Training champions are individuals who grasp the importance of training and will go out of their way to advocate for L&D’s efforts. To grow these relationships, try the following:

  • Spend time with different departments.
  • Visit with managers every week or every month to stay abreast of what is happening in each department. Ask about the business and any existing knowledge gaps.
  • Whenever possible, attend manager meetings and offer to help managers achieve their business objectives. And whenever possible, highlight your successes with other departments to show how your L&D department improved that part of the organization.

And to reinforce your department’s successes, create a recognition program for departments who are “using training right.” This not only gives your department a platform, but it also allows you to communicate your successes to a broader audience.

You already have what it takes to be a successful marketer of the training department within your company. And by following the steps above, you will undoubtedly find success for your L&D function.

]]> Developing Alignment with Organizational Strategies https://www.readytech.com/developing-alignment-with-organizational-strategies/ Wed, 17 Apr 2019 12:41:49 +0000 http://localhost:10022/?p=3507 Developing Alignment with Organizational Strategies Read More »

]]> For today’s organizations, aligning a learning strategy with business goals is a high priority. However, this is not an actual reality for many organizations.

According to 2018 Brandon Hall Group research, three out of four organizations believe that aligning learning strategy with business goals is the top L&D priority. But only 36% of organizations actually have a learning strategy that is aligned with business goals.

The good news is that for organizations that do achieve alignment, they are 40% more likely to increase key business metrics.

So what’s the secret for developing strategic alignment with organizational strategies?

CLO-MagazineIn Alan Landers’ Chief Learning Officer article, “Do You Know How to Create an Actionable Learning Strategy?,” he suggests several steps to help organizations develop strong learning strategies, including understanding one’s business and strategic objectives; evaluating current capabilities, limitations and resources; and determining an appropriate and meaningful strategy. Let’s take a look:

 

1. Understand your business

It is vital for learning leaders to understand the business inside and out. This includes grasping the organizational structure, financials, interactions with customers and clients, and the inner workings of team relationships. In this step, learning leaders can identify the key performance indicators that each department is responsible for maintaining.

Businesswoman looking at computer screen in the office

Additionally, leaders must earn credibility and trust within the organization, as well as build connections with management and employees.

2. Grasp the organization’s strategic objectives

According to Landers, it is critical for learning and development leaders to demonstrate how they can help employees achieve business objectives. To do this, learning leaders must determine what is working and not working within departments; ascertain the concerns of department leaders and employees; identify strengths and weaknesses within departments; review department productivity reports; evaluate existing technology; and review employee competency levels.

3. Evaluate the skills and limitations within the learning function

In addition to determining the learning staff’s capabilities, it is important to understand the learning resources and technology available to the learning department, as well as the learning department’s reputation throughout the organization.

4. Assess all of the organization’s learning resources

Once leaders ascertain what learning resources are available, they must get creative. This entails considering the different ways to combine and re-combine resources in order to increase learning capabilities within an organization.

5. Create a learning and development strategy

This strategy should include a specific training curriculum for each department. Leaders should communicate this plan throughout the entire organization. Once the strategy is implemented, consistently evaluate and refine. And don’t forget the important step of reporting on the results and exactly how each department’s key performance indicators have improved.

 

The bottom line is that developing strategic alignment with organizational strategies is clearly worth the time and effort. There is no question that developing an actionable learning strategy will yield meaningful improvements in an organization’s learning and productivity.

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