Virtual Training & Facilitation Certificate

Training skills in the virtual classroom are essential because they directly impact learner engagement, knowledge retention, and the transfer of learning to real-world job settings. While the objectives may resemble in-person facilitation, virtual environments demand specialized techniques.

Facilitating in a virtual course takes more than logging in and delivering content. Effective virtual facilitation requires dynamic strategies to create interaction, foster community, and ensure inclusivity among participants, regardless of their physical location. This professional development program will help you develop skills to effectively facilitate learning in the virtual environment.

• Identify the logistical tasks necessary to create an effective virtual classroom environment conducive to effective learning.

• Apply brain science to delivery strategies that address various learner preferences and cognitive needs in the learning environment.

• Create facilitation plans that prepare the facilitator for a successful learner-centered event.

• Select learning methods to support various learning preferences to reach the desired learning outcome.

• Use multiple facilitation techniques to create a professional and engaging learning experience.

• Demonstrate adult learning principles and effective facilitation techniques to assess and ensure a safe, comfortable, and supportive learning environment.

• Use numerous techniques to engage learners, communicate effectively, and manage group dynamics and behaviors during a learning event.

• Select the appropriate mix of learning modalities to support specific contexts, learners, and learning objectives in a virtual learning setting.

• Summarize techniques that can be used to develop course materials designed with the learner and the learning objectives in mind.

• Create a self-development plan to stay current with technology and industry trends as they relate to formal learning.

• Explore learning methods and engagement strategies for use in the virtual classroom.

• Gain access to ATD-exclusive tools and templates to use in your own practice.

• Demonstrate your new skills and receive feedback from an ATD expert facilitator.

• Create a personal action plan to hold yourself accountable for applying what you have learned and advancing your career goals.

• Earn an industry-recognized certificate, continuing education credits, and an ATD digital badge to share with your networks.

This program is for professionals who want to build their skills in delivering effective and engaging virtual (synchronous live online) training, and it supports those looking to advance their career goals in training and facilitation. Instructional designers who develop programs in this environment will also benefit from understanding virtual training strategies and techniques.

This program consists of six live, online instructor-led sessions, each session is three and a half hours long.

Contact ATD’s Enterprise Solutions team for information about bringing this virtual training and facilitation course to your organization. An ATD representative can assist with scheduling, present facilitator options relevant to your industry and goals, and discuss possibilities for customizing the content to your team’s professional development needs.

Additional information to help you prepare for your upcoming virtual program:

• Completion requirements: Review the attendance policy before your online course begins to ensure your successful completion.

• Technical requirements: Ensure your tech is ready for the first day of your facilitation training program.

• Enrolled in a program? To check your course status and enrollment details, launch your course, or download your certificate, go to MyATD.

• Terms and privacy: Review our cancellation policy, health protocols for in-person courses, and more.

• Have additional questions about ATD courses? Visit our ATD Education FAQ for answers.

• Choosing the Appropriate Modality

• Facilitating Formal Virtual Learning

• Managing Logistics for a Training Event

• Setting the Stage

• Understanding the Audience and Their Needs

• Creating Your Facilitation Plan

• Practice Your Facilitation Skills

• Basics of Cognitive Science

• Addressing Variations in Learner Preferences

• Using Adult Learning Principles to Create a Supportive Environment

• Selecting Effective Delivery Options

• Delivering to Meet Learners’ Preferences

• Presenting as a Professional

• Facilitation Roles and Styles

• Facilitation Techniques

• Creating a Positive Learning Environment Through Effective Facilitation

• Engaging Participants

• Engaging Facilitator Communication

• Creating a Safe and Comfortable Learning Environment

• Managing Conflict and Group Dynamics

• Designing Learning Materials With the Learner in Mind

• Techniques for Developing Learning Materials

• Designing Materials to Assess Learning

• Informal Learning for Self-Development

• Staying Up to Date on Technology and Industry Trends