The Challenge
Virtual training has historically been viewed as inferior to face-to-face training. But often, especially during the pandemic, virtual training has become necessary.
Can virtual training be engaging? Our participants give us a resounding, “Yes!”
The Solution
We have conceptualised how to design engaging virtual training and we’ve equipped our trainers with the tools they need.
To enable effective virtual programmes, use the following platforms:
- A communication platform (e.g. Zoom)
- A collaborative platform (Miro)
- Accessory Apps (e.g. Kahoot)
But it’s not technology that makes virtual training engaging, the secret lies in the design of the user experience.

Our 5 Design Principles
01 - SHORT SEGMENTS
The training does not go on for more than 15 minutes without a change of state.
02 - STATE CHANGE
Every 15 minutes, we switch the types of learning activities, change the group sizes, or move participants between different online platforms or accessory apps. We also use micro-exercises in the plenary to reduce the time that trainers spend speaking or teaching, and to get participants engaged by asking questions and using the chat function.
03 - SCHEDULED BREAKS
We give learners more frequent breaks than the usual morning, lunch, and afternoon breaks. Our participants regularly share their appreciation for these little breaks.
04 - OUTPUT-FOCUSED
Every online learning activity has outputs that individual learners, pairs, or small groups must produce and then share.
05 - PUSHED-OUT CONTENT
For many segments where we traditionally would have spent the time to teach, instead, these segments are now given out as readings, or as activities to do during post-training reinforcement.
The Solution
We have conceptualised how to design engaging virtual training and we’ve equipped our trainers with the tools they need.
To enable effective virtual programmes, use the following platforms:
- A communication platform (e.g. Zoom)
- A collaborative platform (Miro)
- Accessory Apps (e.g. Kahoot)
But it’s not technology that makes virtual training engaging, the secret lies in the design of the user experience.

Our 5 Design Principles
01 - SHORT SEGMENTS
The training does not go on for more than 15 minutes without a change of state.
02 - STATE CHANGE
Every 15 minutes, we switch the types of learning activities, change the group sizes, or move participants between different online platforms or accessory apps. We also use micro-exercises in the plenary to reduce the time that trainers spend speaking or teaching, and to get participants engaged by asking questions and using the chat function.
03 - SCHEDULED BREAKS
We give learners more frequent breaks than the usual morning, lunch, and afternoon breaks. Our participants regularly share their appreciation for these little breaks.
04 - OUTPUT-FOCUSED
Every online learning activity has outputs that individual learners, pairs, or small groups must produce and then share.
05 - PUSHED-OUT CONTENT
For many segments where we traditionally would have spent the time to teach, instead, these segments are now given out as readings, or as activities to do during post-training reinforcement.
Virtual Tools for Engagement
Your Business Impact:
You now have the capability to run engaging, impactful training whenever and wherever you need it, be it face to face or online, regardless of the pandemic.
01
Your internal learning and development staff, or subject matter experts, will save dozens of hours. Hours that would have otherwise gone to developing training programmes and all the related collaterals.
02
You’ll receive an effective training programme that takes advantage of our decades of instructional design expertise, with Level 2 and Level 3 evaluations built in.
03
You’ll have a well designed long-term learning journey that helps your talents to apply their new knowledge and skills back at their workplace – ensuring long-term behaviour change.
Your Business Impact:
You now have the capability to run engaging, impactful training whenever and wherever you need it, be it face to face or online, regardless of the pandemic.
01
Your internal learning and development staff, or subject matter experts, will save dozens of hours. Hours that would have otherwise gone to developing training programmes and all the related collaterals.
02
You’ll receive an effective training programme that takes advantage of our decades of instructional design expertise, with Level 2 and Level 3 evaluations built in.
03
You’ll have a well designed long-term learning journey that helps your talents to apply their new knowledge and skills back at their workplace – ensuring long-term behaviour change.