Online Synchronous Learning

What makes learning programs delivered online so effective? I must say that my good friends at Insyc Training know and they are amazing.

http://www.insynctraining.com/

It's quite simple. It's really all about relevant learning activities, facilitator guidance, and collaboration. Go take one of thier courses and learn more.

Now, let's dive in to the collaboration piece. That's where the long term value is. This is what I believe. There is a temporary collaboration space and a then there is the need for a long-term collaboration space.

Temporary Collaboration Space
This is simply the space where learners collaborate in between class sessions. Learning activities are required and learners can begin to build a community. The facilitator can help grow this community by motivating learners to participate. If it's done well, the community that learns together, stays together.

Long-term Collaboration Space
This is a space where people collaborate (share, learn, generate ideas) over time. It's a place where people stay, play, and grow. My wife is a member of charlottemommies.com. It's amazing. She learned to use coupons and now the grocery store pays us to purchase potato chips (long story). However, adiction to a space like this must have a few things to be successful such as...

no competitor; one place for people to stay and build a community, or

family of collaborators who have had a shared experience in a temporary collaboration space and created a strong community

So, how do we create the long-term community? Well, that is the question. I say, grow and develop great learning leaders (facilitators, not trainers). Start by contacting Insyn Training, but then design great experiences that promote collaboration. Most importantly, just say NO to lecture. NO LECTURE. It's about situated cognition...learn through experience. So, build good learning activities and keep learners going, and going, and going...