Virtual Sessions Enhance Blended Learning
AMA Virtual Sessions are live, interactive and targeted learning events that are delivered using Adobe Connect, AMA’s webcasting tool.
The purpose of a virtual session is to gather the group of learners in a virtual environment, before and/or after the in-person learning seminar. The goal(s) of the instructional design of the VS can include:
- Preparing the learners
- Reviewing key content to ensure understanding
- Participating in content application exercises or scenarios
- Extension of the learning beyond the live, seminar content
Virtual sessions will further expand AMA’s Blended Learning solution. Until recently, the AMA Blended Learning model focused primarily on Measurement—the model is now expanding to include Connectedness. Virtual Sessions enable Learners to connect with subject matter experts and each other, without the time and expense of connecting in a physical location.
How does a virtual session benefit my organization?
The benefits of virtual learning are many. Some examples include:
- Provides valuable continued learning events for your employees, without having to expend the time and money on connecting in a physical environment
- Employees can participate in a virtual learning session regardless of location; with an internet connection and a telephone, they can join from anywhere
- A Virtual session helps to bring the learning back to the workplace and helps to ensure that what is learned is actually applied on the job
- In a Virtual session, the learner is able to interact with the subject matter expert and his or her peers, which gives them the opportunity to ask very specific questions about the subject matter, how to apply the learning on the job so they are implementing the learning into practice, sources for additional resources, etc.
The Types of Virtual Sessions
Virtual sessions can be delivered at any stage prior to or following the in-person seminar. We have the following types of virtual sessions available:
Before the In-person Seminar
In the pre-seminar phase, a virtual session can be used in multiple ways to kick-off the instructor-led event. It allows the learner to have direct access to a subject matter expert and interaction with fellow learners prior to the seminar.
After the In-person Seminar
After the in-person seminar, virtual sessions can be used in a number of beneficial ways. A virtual session will be designed to meet your needs, but here are some common examples:
- Content Reinforcement During the interactive Content Reinforcement virtual support session, the instructor may review the seminar’s most challenging material, approaching it from a new and different angle and including fresh examples and context. If applicable, seminar post-test results, evaluation inputs, or both, can dictate the area of focus for any Content Reinforcement virtual support session.
- Knowledge/Skills Application During the interactive Knowledge/Skills Application virtual support session, learners apply their new knowledge and skills to actual examples from their job or in scenarios that they may experience on the job. Learners leave this application session ready to use their new knowledge and skills at work. If applicable, seminar post-test results, evaluation inputs, or both, dictate the area of focus for the session.
- Extension of Content An extension of content virtual session is modeled to introduce new topics that are not necessarily covered during the instructor-led seminar. These virtual learning sessions enable the instructor (subject matter expert) to provide participants a deeper dive into issues/topic areas that are important to your organization that go beyond the information covered during live training.