A Quick Guide to transfer your classroom training to online training Leave a comment

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, almost all the training providers including RTO’s, TAFE, Schools, and Universities are forced to transfer their classroom training to online training.

Most of the training providers are struggling to transition and maintain the online learning environment.

Some common issues related to the transition to online training:

1. LMS (Learning management system) is not configured to meet ASQA and state funding requirements.
2. Trainers are not trained and there is not enough time for training and implementation.
3. Students are not informed and supported properly for the transition process.
4. Webinar system is not integrated with LMS, so it is difficult for students to navigate and login in different systems.
5. Attendance and student participation are not captured correctly to meet the compliance and SRTOS 2015 amount of training requirements.

The following steps will help you and your RTO to transfer the classroom learning to online learning:

Step 1: Collect all the information including learner and assessment resources

In this step, you need to make sure that you have soft copies of the learner resources and formative assessment/activities.
Collect all the information including learner guide, class activity books/activities, additional handouts, videos related to the unit of competency.
You also need to check if the unit has placement requirements or practical that must be performed in the workplace or simulated environment.
If the unit has mandatory workplace requirements then you can conduct training and theory assessment online and practical must be performed in the relevant workplace.

Step 2: Research and identify the technical requirements related to your RTO

Every training organisation is different and may need different solutions related to online learning. You need to conduct research on LMS (Learning Management System) platforms, for example, Moodle, Canvas and webinar platforms for example Zoom, Big Blue Button, MS Teams.

You need to make sure that LMS has the following functionalities

1. Easy to navigate layout for your trainers and students.
2. Forums and announcements functionalities are available, so trainers and students effectively engage and participate in different learning activities.
3. Integrate your webinar software with your LMS so students and trainers use one platform and one login details – this will resolve many queries and platform related issues.
4. Easy to add Powerpoints and learner guides within the LMS, so students do not need to download the documents.
5. Administrative reports are available including student engagement, task outcome report, unit completion report, etc.

Step 3: Installation of LMS

In this step, you need to install the selected LMS and webinar recording software.
Most of the LMS providers are providing onboarding support so your IT staff can easily manage the installation of LMS.
You may need to contact the relevant LMS provider if you need further assistance.

Step 4: Add the content and information in LMS

You need to create an easy to follow structure for learning resources and assessment tasks so the trainers and students can easily navigate the information.
Provide relevant instruction related to the assessment task including timing, location, due date, appeal process, reasonable adjustment, etc. Often RTO misses this information in an online environment.
Avoid downloading and uploading documents rather than think creatively and create the tasks within the LMS.

Step 5: Training to staff and Trainer

This is an important step for the RTO to provide non-technical and easy to understand training to RTO trainers and staff so they can easily manage the learning management system (LMS).
Use the administrative guide from the relevant LMS website and make changes according to the RTO process.

Step 6: Training to the students

Prepare step by step videos and student manual including screenshots so they can easily navigate the LMS.
Inform trainers to provide support during the first few sessions.
Make sure you have support service available for any queries related to LMS.

Step 7: Monitor course progress

In this step, you need to make sure that the webinar recording is working properly. You also need to check the student participation.
Review the relevant report on a weekly or fortnightly basis. Update your student management system accordingly.
Overall, you need good resources that allow you to add and contextualise the resources for your online learning.

VET Resources provide compliant resources including learner guide, class activity book, self-study guide including youtube video links so you can add it on your LMS.

We also provide compliant assessment tools including student pack, trainer pack and mapping documents. You can easily update these resources into your online environment.

Suggested Read: How to update your training and assessment strategy from classroom mode to online or distance mode