How To Create Interactive Online Training Program: [Full Guide]

ew would dispute that the future of corporate training is rooted in online education. With its capacity to facilitate large-scale events for hundreds of new recruits across company branches worldwide, and the ability to tailor training materials to meet the unique needs of employees in line with their individual training development plans, it presents a promising avenue for growth.

However, there's a caveat. Online learning differs significantly from its offline counterpart. Merely transferring traditional classroom lectures into digital formats won't cut it, especially if you want to keep your webinar attendees engaged and enthused.

So, how to create an online training program that truly captivates employees and prevents drop-offs? Time to figure it out! EducateMe team has created a full guide on how to create an interactive program for online corporate training courses.

Understanding the Basics of Interactivity

💡Interactive corporate learning, often referred to as the learning process, entails continuous interaction between the mentor and employees, among employees themselves, or between employees and the learning environment.

Before answering the question "How to create an online training program?" let's discuss ​​what sets interactive learning apart from other forms of learning. It is the valuable input of fellow participants. This mutual exchange offers several advantages.

• Other participants in the learning process can provide employees with fresh insights, encourage them to approach problems from different perspectives, prompt critical thinking on challenging issues, and offer constructive feedback. All of these elements enrich the employee's overall learning experience.
• The interactive sharing of knowledge can lead to a deeper and more unique collective understanding for all participants involved. In other words, through the exchange of thoughts and ideas, they can reach results that would be difficult to achieve individually.

6 key principles of interactive corporate training

▪️ Employee Support ‍

All facets of the lesson, including the learning environment, should actively support the employee in attaining their educational objectives.

▪️ Active Learning

‍Employees are not passive recipients but active participants in the learning process.

▪️ Mentoring instead of teaching

‍The role of the teacher shifts from being a mere transmitter of knowledge to that of a senior mentor and facilitator.

▪️ Collaboration within a group

‍Group work is transformed from a monologue-style approach to a dialogic one, where the facilitator not only imparts information but also welcomes feedback and engages with the group.

▪️ Group independence

‍The mentor gradually delegates responsibility and encourages independence within the group. Initially, employees may complete tasks under the teacher's guidance, but as time progresses, they become more self-reliant and autonomous.

▪️ Diversity of assignments

‍Classroom assignments and formats encompass a diverse range. The facilitator offers employees various modes of interaction, mechanisms, and educational tools, including individual, paired, and group work, standard tasks, as well as creative, research-based, and project-oriented assignments.

How To Create an Interactive Training Program

#1. Focus on business goals

When developing an online course program, the first question to ask yourself, and if necessary, consult with higher management, is this: 'What specific outcome do we aim to achieve for the learner?' In the realm of corporate eLearning, this outcome should directly align with specific business processes. Only then can the training truly deliver value.

To outline the course's learning objectives, simply identify the knowledge and skills that employees will require in their day-to-day roles at the next level – be it after completing their internship, transitioning to another department, or moving up within the organization.

#2. Build the logic of modules

Once you've defined your ultimate goal, you can chart a course to reach it. While there are numerous ways to achieve results, educators typically recommend structuring a program using one of these three approaches:

While creating your program, ensure that each lesson brings you and your employees closer to a specific business objective. To accomplish this, jot down what you expect your students to ultimately grasp alongside each lesson in your plan.

#3. Think about practice first, then theory

You already have a clear understanding of the desired outcomes for your employees upon completing the training. In the subsequent phase, determine the type of hands-on practice that will effectively nurture and reinforce the essential skills, enabling them to reach their objectives.

Only then should you consider the theoretical knowledge necessary to support and complement these practical tasks. This approach ensures a well-balanced course structure, avoiding the inclusion of theoretical content solely for the sake of theory.

#4. Implement different types of content

When designing an effective corporate training program, the key to engagement and knowledge retention lies in the diversity of content types you utilize. Modern learners respond well to variety, as it caters to different learning styles and preferences. Here are some essential types of content to consider incorporating.

#5. Develop training engagement strategies

Consider how you will use your online course to keep students motivated to learn. To achieve this, start by clearly defining specific learning objectives that align with business goals. Encourage active learning in corporate training, shifting the focus from passive consumption to active participation. Instructors should play the role of mentors and facilitators, guiding learners through the process.

Promote group collaboration to foster a sense of community and peer learning. Gradually delegate more responsibility to participants, encouraging self-reliance as the program progresses. Finally, offer diverse learning formats, such as individual, paired, and group work, to cater to various preferences and learning styles.

#6. Mark Intermediate Checkpoints

To ensure a seamless learning experience in an online course, it would be a significant oversight to only assess employees' understanding at the course's conclusion, when any issues are irreversible. Therefore, in the process of curriculum development, it's imperative to identify intermediate control points. It might be prudent to allocate time after each interactive module or following substantial topics to assess what has been absorbed and what remains to be grasped.

You can administer a brief quiz to participants to ascertain their comprehension of crucial information, or pose a few questions for evaluation. Additionally, including feedback questionnaires within assignments at any stage proves highly valuable. This way, you can gauge the clarity and utility of the lesson, identify those who may have struggled with the material, and pinpoint individuals in need of curator support.

How To Create Interactive Training Modules With EducateMe LMS

If you're genuinely to create interactive training modules for your employees, selecting the right corporate learning management system becomes a crucial milestone in the process. The LMS serves as the central hub for managing, delivering, and tracking training content. 

Now that you've gone through the steps of creating a training program, as outlined above, it's time to take it online. To illustrate this, let's take a closer look at how to put an interactive program into action, using EducateMe LMS as our reference.

Step #1: Sign Up For EducateMe Platform

Joining the EducateMe platform is a breeze. You can sign up using your email or Google Account. So we start our learning journey.

Step #2: Customize Your Learning Space

You can harness the potential of the EducateMe platform to define your company's identity, seamlessly integrating custom colors, fonts, logos, and more. This enhances your brand presence, making a lasting impression on your community of learners. 

Administrators have the ability to establish custom branding within the Company Settings

You have an opportunity to customize the following:

• The primary color for buttons and UI elements.
• Styles for both primary and secondary buttons.
• Your logo.
• Fonts for titles, subtitles, and common text elements.
• Domain.

Let’s move on to the content development process.

Step #3: Upload Your Content

The EducateMe modern training technologies allow you to create courses through three methods:

1. Manual Creation. This involves defining key course elements such as title, duration, modules, activities, and assignments manually for precise customization.
2. AI-Powered Generation. Provide a detailed concept description, and AI will help generate the course syllabus, streamlining the process efficiently.
3. Template-Based Creation. Start with our suggested templates as a foundation and later adapt and customize them to meet your specific needs.

▪️ Engagement Content

In the process of creating training modules you can use bite-sized modules, lessons, webinars, quizzes, assignments, and peer reviews.

▪️ Course Duplication

Furthermore, the platform has recently introduced a course duplication feature. When you make changes to one program, these modifications are automatically applied to all duplicated materials. This can significantly streamline the process of implementing interactive programs, saving you valuable time and minimizing manual work.

▪️ Embedding Content

This feature allows you to seamlessly include a wide variety of elements directly within your course materials, making the content more engaging and informative. Whether it's videos, interactive learning elements, or external resources, you can embed them effortlessly. This provides learners with a dynamic and enriched learning experience.

Step #4:  Create Assignments

Now that you've structured your course content, it's essential to evaluate the progress and understanding of your learners. 

With features such as Kanban Assignment Tracking Dashboard, Deadline Management, Group Assignments, Real-Time Status Updates, Tagging, and Sorting, you have the tools to create, manage, and monitor your assignments effectively, ensuring the success of your corporate training programs.

▪️ Kanban Assignment Tracking Dashboard

Easily manage and visualize your assignments, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. This feature simplifies your assignment management, making it effortless to monitor progress and track the completion of each employee.

▪️ Deadline Management

Whether it's a fixed date or a countdown, you have the control to set deadlines for corporate training according to your preferences. Automatic calendar updates ensure your schedules stay on track, allowing you to focus on more important tasks. Customize your deadlines to the exact time and date for precision in timing.

▪️ Group Assignments

Empower teamwork by setting assignments for groups. Watch them collaborate, share knowledge, and thrive together. The automatic allocation of learners into groups simplifies the process, eliminating manual work and streamlining collaboration.

▪️ Real-Time Status Updates

Stay informed with real-time status updates. Track the progress of your learners and assignments as they happen. This interactive training software provides valuable insights and ensures that you are always up-to-date with the latest developments in your training programs.

▪️ Tagging and Sorting

Efficiently organize your content and assignments by tagging and sorting. Categorize materials and assignments with ease, making it simple to locate, manage, and retrieve essential resources. This feature saves time and simplifies content management.

Step #5: Schedule Training

The drip scheduling feature ensures your learners stay engaged effortlessly. You can schedule your lessons and webinars to be released like clockwork, all automatically. The drag-and-drop function makes planning a breeze, allowing you to handle it with ease and speed. 

Step #6: Monitor Progress

As you progress in creating your online training program with EducateMe LMS, it's crucial to have a system in place to effectively monitor the learning journey. This step ensures that your program is on the right track and that learners are benefitting from their training. Here's an overview of the features you can utilize in this step.

▪️ Progress Tracker

This tool offers real-time insights into how employees are engaging with the course materials. Monitor their completion status, the time spent on different modules, and their performance in assessments. 

▪️ Automated Reporting

EducateMe LMS automatically generates detailed reports about course completion rates, assessment scores, and learner engagement. This feature offers a convenient way to access vital information and helps you identify trends and areas for improvement within your training program.

▪️ Learner Stats

With learner statistics, you can view individual progress, monitor learning patterns, and track achievements. This feature helps you tailor your support and interventions to individual needs.

▪️ Feedback Management

Use surveys and feedback forms to gain insights into your employees’ training experience. Identify which modules were challenging or particularly engaging, and gather suggestions for improvements. This data-driven approach empowers you to make informed adjustments to your program.

Step #7: Provide Support

In the final steps of creating your online training program with EducateMe LMS, it's essential to ensure that learners have the support they require throughout their learning journey. 

▪️ Built-in Messenger

This feature enables learners to reach out with questions, seek clarification, and engage in discussions related to the course content. It fosters a collaborative learning environment and facilitates quick responses to learner queries.

▪️ Live Sessions Hosting

Whether it's webinars, virtual classes, or Q&A sessions, the Live Sessions Hosting feature offers a convenient way to connect with learners. These interactive sessions enhance the learning experience by enabling learners to ask questions, discuss topics, and receive immediate feedback.

▪️ Notifications/Emails

These alerts help learners stay on track with their training and ensure they don't miss critical updates or assignments. Instructors can also use emails to communicate announcements, share course materials, and provide additional support as needed.

Step #8: Evaluate and Improve

Monitoring progress isn't just about tracking numbers; it's about fostering continuous improvement. Regularly review the data, reports, and feedback you've collected. Use these insights to fine-tune your training program, identify areas where learners might be struggling, and create targeted solutions to ensure their success.

Final Takeaway

As we delve into the realm of online training, it's evident that the future of corporate education is intricately intertwined with interactive learning. Yet, the creation of online programs demands a thoughtful approach: 

• Focus on business goals.
• Build the logic of modules.
• Think about practice first, then theory.
• Implement different types of content.
• Build a motivational strategy.
• Mark Intermediate Checkpoints.

Why not take the first step toward implementing these approaches into your online corporate training? Try out EducateMe LMS, with its set of online training tools that can bring your interactive online training program to life.

Your journey toward engaging, effective corporate education begins here.