10 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Virtual Classes

Whether this is your first learning experience outside of a physical classroom or you are a seasoned online student, this checklist will help you focus and maximize your time. Most people have a prescribed window of time to focus on professional development, so take advantage of this opportunity by preparing and making your training time count.

Preparing for Success

1. Communicate.

Notify others of your plans to be out. Communicating that you will be unavailable shows that your course is a priority, and explains why you won't be responsive.Set your out-of-office notification on your email.

2. Prepare.

Beforehand, read emails pertaining to your class and access related resources.

• Review course materials or assessments before the start of the class.
• Conduct a system check from the machine you'll be using.
• Confirm the technical requirements for the virtual platform and lab environment.
• Verify that you can connect to a wired, high-speed internet connection for the best performance.

3. Focus.

Find a quiet place to take the class where you can minimize interruptions.

• Try to do so at a location away from the office.
• If you are going to take the training at your desk, put up a sign to let others know not to disturb you. 

4. Schedule.

Create a schedule for the live class and block out these times on your work calendar to minimize double-booking yourself.

5. Use a headset.

Make sure you can hear and be heard in class by using a headset with a microphone to connect to the room audio. Remember to connect your headset before entering the virtual classroom so you can start listening and participating right away.

Maximizing Your Time During and After Class

6. Prioritize.

Make training a priority by focusing in the class. Resist the urge to multi-task!

• Take advantage of the breaks in class; use those moments to refresh and relax.
• To improve your online performance, close any nonessential applications and do not connect to a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

7. Engage.

You will retain more information by actively participating - so get engaged! Answer questions, participate in chat and discussions and complete all the exercises and labs. You'll get as much out of the training as you put in. The more you actively participate, the more you'll comprehend and use back on the job.

• Taking notes either by hand or electronically aids in retention. Do not write down everything; instead focus on the main points and information nuggets that really pertain to your situation.
• Don't be afraid to add visuals, mind-maps and doodles to your notes. Drawing pictures or using your hands also aids in retention.
• Take advantage of the class recording to review concepts and revisit key parts of the class. For instance, every Global Knowledge virtual student receives six months of access to their class recording. Check out what other benefits you receive when taking a virtual course with us.

8. Feedback.

Provide feedback during and after the course. Let the instructor or moderator know what is and isn't working for you.

• Fill out an end-of-course evaluation

9. Share.

Spread the word of what you learned with your bosses and coworkers. Try to implement what you learned at work.

10. Continue learning.

Access post-course tools and resources.

By following these simple tips, you'll be ready for virtual learning; but more importantly you'll get the most out of your time in the class.