What is Virtual Instructor led Training or VILT? 

Virtual Instructor led Training or VILT encompasses training and knowledge sharing in a virtual environment providing a simulated experience. Under this form of training, the instructor and the student/ learner are present in different locations and the entire learning journey takes place in the virtual set up. The simulated environment provides a hands-on and experiential learning trajectory which leads to better understanding, faster knowledge uptake and greater retention.  

The rise of hybrid work, better connectivity, and network bandwidth as well as a geographically dispersed workforce and employee base have all contributed to the increased adoption of VILT as a preferred mode of training for organizations across the globe. Software companies are increasingly using VILT for sales training, customer demos and sandboxing for their customers, employers and vendors. 

What are benefits of virtual instructor led training (VILT) or course? 

With an increase in the need for hands-on learning coupled with an expectation to scale and manage different trainings, Virtual Instructor-led Training is gaining momentum. Virtual Instructor-led Training augments the accessibility and scalability of training without enormously increasing costs or additional efforts and support. As a mode of instruction, it is agile, resilient and scalable. Some of the top benefits include: 

1. Ease of scale: Virtual training allows instructors to reach a larger audience base within the same time. More and more learners can be given access to the same virtual training without compromising on the quality of knowledge to others. Additionally, instructors don’t need external IT support for every additional learner, nor do they require additional infrastructure or hardware to scale their course capacity. 
2. Cost effectiveness: Virtual training is highly cost effective as there is no additional or incremental cost of new hardware for each new learner. Organizations don’t have to invest in new lab setups or physical devices for training as virtual training can be accessed on any browser. 
3. Experiential knowledge retention: Conducted in a simulated environment, virtual training provides learners with an experiential and hands-on experience. This helps learners understand faster and retain their knowledge better. Additionally, many virtual trainings provide learners with additional resources and the option to record the learning which they can absorb at their pace. 
4. Analytics-driven tracking: Virtual training enables the instructors to focus on analytics to measure learner performance and use different features to monitor their progress. These features and analytics help instructors to ensure better learning outcomes. 
5. Ease of access: Finally, VILT significantly augments the ease of access for both instructors and learners. It doesn’t require any high end or sophisticated hardware or devices. It can simply be accessed from any browser and can be deployed for easy use. VILT ensures that training can be customized for different learner needs and preferences and is accessible across the globe. Furthermore, VILT can be accessed asynchronously 24/7, making it a very convenient option for learners and instructors. 

What is the difference between instructor led training and online training? 

VILT and online training are both effective forms of e-learning, but they are suited to different situations. VILT is ideal for situations where real-time interaction with an instructor is important, such as in software training or professional certifications. Online training is more suited to situations where learners need flexibility in terms of when and where they access the material, such as in academic settings or for personal development. 

However, here are some key differences between the two: 

1. Instructor-led vs. Self-paced: The main difference between VILT and online training is the level of instructor involvement. VILT is instructor-led, meaning that learners receive real-time instruction and feedback from a subject matter expert. In contrast, online training is typically self-paced, meaning that learners work through the material on their own and may not receive immediate feedback. 
2. Interactivity: VILT is designed to be interactive, with features such as chat, polls, and breakout rooms that encourage learners to engage with the instructor and with one another. Online training may also have some interactive elements, but they are typically less sophisticated than those found in VILT. 
3. Real-time vs. Asynchronous: VILT is delivered in real-time, meaning that learners and instructors are connected at the same time. In contrast, online training is typically asynchronous, meaning that learners can access the material at any time and work through it at their own pace. 
4. Level of customization: VILT can be customized to meet the specific needs of the learners, with the instructor able to adjust the content and pace of the training to suit the audience. Online training may also be customized, but to a lesser degree than VILT. 

Learn how CloudLabs enables VILT with its virtual hands-on labs for technology education.