During the height of the Coronavirus pandemic, travel restrictions and social distancing measures rendered traditional face-to-face crisis training sessions impossible. A client committed to maintaining its crisis preparedness standards required a solution to continue the professional development for its leadership teams without compromising the quality and engagement of in-person learning.
Effectively delivering crisis training online without losing engagement
The challenge was clear: recreate a high-engagement, multi-faceted classroom environment in an entirely digital format. The solution needed to maintain the collaborative, dynamic nature of in-person crisis training while mitigating the unique challenges of remote learning, such as digital fatigue and technical disruptions.
Designing a high-engagement virtual crisis training environment
A structured online crisis training strategy was developed to mirror the interactivity of face-to-face learning. Key elements included:
- Main Training ‘Room’ | a central hub where the core training sessions were conducted, simulating a live classroom atmosphere
- Interactive Whiteboard | enabled real-time collaboration, brainstorming and problem-solving
- Example Case Studies | provided practical, scenario-based exercises to maintain relevance and application of learning
- Breakout Spaces | facilitated smaller group discussions and workshop activities to encourage participation and deepen understanding
- Support Channel | a dedicated communication channel for attendees to quickly resolve any access or technical issues, ensuring a smooth experience
Understanding the critical impact that online environments have on attention and engagement, the training was designed to maximise participant involvement and mirror the energy and flow of an in-person setting as closely as possible.
Seamless transition to digital training
The online crisis training successfully maintained high levels of participant engagement, with feedback highlighting the realistic, interactive and collaborative nature of the sessions. The client was able to continue its CPD activities without disruption, safeguarding organisational resilience during an unprecedented period of uncertainty.
Leadership Insight
“Knowing the impact online interactions can have on engagement levels, it was important to prioritise interaction and collaboration.”
Strategic structure and intentional design are critical when transitioning in-person training to a digital format. High engagement is achievable online when the experience prioritises and seamlessly integrates participant interaction.