9 Tips To Maximize Employee Involvement In Online Training Development

Employees are the ones who have to take your online training. So, it’s only fitting that they have a direct say in your online training initiatives. This article explores 9 ways that you can maximize employee involvement in online training development.

How To Maximize Employee Involvement In Online Training Development

Many employees dread online training. They’ve grown accustomed to long lectures, boring presentations, and complicated compliance online training courses. Thus, every member of your team shudders at the thought of yet another online training session. But what if you could put a whole new spin on your online training course? What if you were able to put your employees into the middle of the action and give them a voice? Here are 9 strategies to maximize employee involvement in online training so that they actually look forward to online training courses.

1. Give Them A Sneak Peek Of Your Online Training Course

Employees may need a sneak preview of your online training course in order to provide their feedback. This is particularly true when you’re launching a brand new online training initiative that features new elements. For example, game mechanics or branching scenarios. You can follow this up with a focus group or one-on-one interviews to get their input. Alternatively, send them a list of questions to answer before they participate in the trial run. This allows them to focus on the important elements you’re most concerned with.

2. Conduct Social Media Polls And Surveys

Social media polls and online surveys are quick and convenient. However, they still provide you with valuable employee feedback. You can even make them anonymous if your employees are hesitant to answer honestly. Compile all of your data at the end and create visual illustrations to identify patterns. Most Learning Management Systems and social media sites will even handle this task for you. Another option is simply posting direct questions in closed social media groups. This gives employees the opportunity to discuss the topic with their peers and voice their opinions in a more private forum.

3. Schedule A Meet-And-Greet Webinar

A personal connection is essential for effective online training. Employees must feel like they can speak openly about their thoughts and opinions. So, host a live online training webinar where they can meet the online instructors or facilitators and ask questions up front. You might even consider monthly webinars that explore different topics. Send employees a list of discussion points beforehand, and give them plenty of notice so they’re more likely to attend.

4. Start An Online Forum

Most people are already familiar with online forums. As such, they’re a great tool for your online training course. Post a new question every week or invite your online instructors to moderate from time to time. You can also provide prompts and then encourage your employees to share their ideas and thoughts. Just make certain to create a set of guidelines so that the conversation stays on-topic. This also helps to ensure that employees are respectful of others’ opinions and everyone has a chance to contribute.

5. Invite Employees To Upload User-Generated Online Training Content

Ask your employees to share resource links and user-generated online training content on your corporate eLearning blog or site. Create a schedule of weekly topics or themes for them to follow. For example, the first week of the month they should create health and safety online training materials. Encourage your staff to review the online training content and provide peer-based eLearning feedback. Then add the resources to your ongoing online training database at the end of the week. This is also a great way to build a microlearning online training repository for “moment of need” support.

6. Hold A Live Q&A Event

Enlist the help of your training managers, department supervisors, and other members of your leadership team. Ask them to host a live Q&A event on your online forum or social media page. Let employees know the general discussion topic and invite them to post their questions during the event. Alternatively, they can upload them in advance if they’re unable to attend. You might even consider employee-led Q&A sessions that are hosted by a different employee each month. For example, an experienced sales employee can offer tips and advice to their fellow staff members.

7. Appoint A Coordinator To Open The Lines Of Communication

Employees may be hesitant to reach out to their managers if they have a problem or recommendation about online training. However, you can appoint a coordinator who serves as a go-between for your staff and online training developers. Ideally, it should be someone your employees relate to, such as a co-worker or department lead. They have the opportunity to schedule a meeting with the coordinator to discuss more involved issues, or simply ask them a question regarding upcoming online training courses.

8. Create A Corporate eLearning Blog

Corporate eLearning blogs are effective on multiple levels. First and foremost, they give your organization a platform to share information and online training updates. For instance, you’ve made recent changes to your company policy and want to keep employees in the loop. But corporate eLearning blogs work both ways. Employees also have the ability to voice their concerns and share ideas. Lastly, corporate eLearning blogs are the ideal place to upload resource links that may be useful for employee development. As an example, articles and videos that highlight work-related tasks.

9. Develop Online Group Collaboration Projects

Online group collaboration projects are social and interactive. Employees have the chance to interact with their colleagues and exchange information. But they are also valuable eLearning feedback tools. Invite employees to break into groups and then give them a training “pain point” to discuss. Ask them to brainstorm possible solutions and offer their own recommendations on how to improve the online training strategy.

Are you utilizing one of your most valuable online training assets, or your employees are just sitting on the sidelines? Use these 9 tips to maximize employee involvement in online training development and improve the effectiveness of your online training strategy.

You may have devoted countless hours to fine tuning your online training strategy and rolling out your new online training courses, but is it really serving your performance goals and objectives? Read the article 8 Tips To Measure Your Online Training Effectiveness to measure your online training effectiveness, so that you can make the most of your corporate eLearning budget and offer your employees the online training they need to succeed.