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Key Features of Virtual Training Software

Virtual training software comes with many features and options. It is important to understand which features are most important to your organization based on the specific business requirements that you face. This article discusses some of the key features to keep in mind when selecting virtual training software.

Key Features of Virtual Training Software

When considering virtual training software, it’s important to take a closer look at the key features. Depending on your organization’s needs and requirements, some of these features may be more or less important. Some features of virtual training software to consider are listed below:

  • Platform Agnostic – It is important that students can participate from any platform (PC, Mac, etc.) and are able to join sessions even with bandwidth limitations.
  • Performance and Participation Assessment Tools – Instructors need virtual training software that allows them to assess student attention levels during live training sessions through participation monitoring tools, as well as through spontaneous or planned surveys and polls. In addition, instructors need to have the ability to evaluate performance and learning absorption, as well as to certify learners, through tests and quizzes administered either during session or in a linked asynchronous activity.
  • Security – Education institutions and government agencies need to be confident that confidential information presented in training sessions is protected. Quality virtual training software will have protocols in place to ensure the security of client information.
  • Recording & Editing – Instructors should have the flexibility to set courses to auto-record or record select sessions. It should also be simple to edit and capture courses; online, server-side editing is ideal. Multiple file formats, including Flash and SCORM-compliant, should be support for optimal distribution and utility. Plus, virtual training software with built-in LMS/CMS capabilities will enable instructors to store recordings in a common location.
  • Dynamic Interaction – Effective knowledge transfer with adult learners requires that instructors have a variety of ways to engage learners. Virtual training solutions must include many easy-to-use features that help simplify this process during the class. Some of these include sharing (desktop, application, region), hand raise, applause, chat and private chat, quick feedback answer sets, surveys, etc.
  • Breakout Groups – Breakout groups that branch out from the primary session environment allow the instructor to divide class into teams, enable instructor sound checks, streamline pre-session planning, and ensure that the instructor’s assistant can help an individual student privately instead of slowing down the whole class.
  • Document Annotation Tools – Instructors and students should have access to a full set of annotation tools for marking up slides and screen shares.
  • Video – The learning experience is greatly enhanced by live video feeds of the instructor(s) and students. Effective virtual classroom software will have built in video conferencing that enables face-to-face interaction with just a webcam.
  • Content Management – Instructors and/or Subject Matter Experts should be able to use session recordings to build and store asynchronous content libraries that can be accessed by learners any time.
  • Learning Management Capabilities – Basic Learning Management System functionality in virtual training software gives instructors and/or administrators control over course content, access to recordings, ability to customize session setup, access to integrated testing and the option to create pre-built or custom reports.
  • Easy and/or supported integration of virtual training software with third-party Learning Management Systems.
  • Support for Multimedia Content – A virtual training software should have tools that empower instructors to easily play/pause and resume multimedia content (Flash, You Tube, etc.).