What the heck is virtual learning?

I meet people all the time who don’t really understand virtual learning, and are therefore wary of signing up for anything that is presented in this way.

What a shame; there is so much expertise out there that you can access once you become familiar with this increasingly popular method of supplying information. Don’t let that wariness keep you from easily participating in events that can transform your life.

It’s a dream-come-true for busy people who yearn for information to make their lives better and easier, but who don’t have time to seek out and attend the live events.

Virtual learning is something you can access in your home, on the beach, or anywhere you want. You can access it when it is convenient for you, too.

Virtual learning can come in different forms:

Teleseminar: When you sign up, the presenter sends you an e-mail with the date, time, telephone number, and PIN number you will use to access the live seminar.
Using your own telephone, you dial in to that number at the given time, and then enter your PIN number when directed.
There may or may not be long distance charges, depending on where you are and where the number is located.

Some presenters use a service that gives you a choice of local numbers to call rather than using that long distance number.
During the call, the presenter will mute the phones of all the callers, so that you don’t have to listen to background noises of doors slamming, dogs barking, and children calling out. At the end of the call, the presenter generally un-mutes callers and asks if there are any questions.
If you miss the live call, most presenters send you a link where you can access a recording of the call.

Webinar: The presenter sends you an e-mail with a link to a website where you will experience the training. You may see a Power Point presentation, with the presenter speaking as the slides change, or you may see the actual presenter and even a guest presenter.
You may also be given a telephone number to call, if you want to listen to the audio by telephone.
During the webinar, you may be able to “raise your hand” by selecting an option on an on-screen dashboard that allows the presenter to see that you have a question.
As with a teleseminar, if you miss the live event, most presenters will send you a link where you can access a recording of the event.
In both cases, presenters often provide handouts which you can download and print out.

What are the advantages of this type of learning to you, as a learner?

Distance is no problem. The presenter could be in Istanbul, and you in Southern Califo
ia, and you would still have access. Think what it would cost if you had to fly to the presenter’s city and book a hotel room. The whole world is now available to you!

Weather, such as the winter many of us have been experiencing, isn’t a factor; you can be at home, log burning in the fireplace, cup of tea at your side, attending the class no matter what is happening outside: storms, floods, traffic jams, high snow banks, etc.

Activity: If you’ve already been sitting for hours at your job, and are stiff and tired, you can stand up and walk around with your cordless phone during the session. You can even do a few simple exercises, if you like! Try that in a classroom or auditorium.

Time: You’re not available at the scheduled time? No problem, just listen to the recording on your time schedule.

Although there may be an advantage to being present for the live call, so as to ask questions, many presenters allow you to e-mail your questions in advance. The answers would then be on the recorded version.

And often presenters make an offer, such as a complimentary coaching call, or a free CD with even more of their wisdom on it. You may have to be present for the live event, as these offers often have a time limit.

How do you find these courses?

Go online and search for the topic that interests you. You will find presentations in the areas of health and wellness, self-esteem, small business development, and for all I know, tightrope walking and dog walking.

There is a lot of high value content available by this method. Top experts are giving away free information on every topic under the sun every day, and reasonably-priced courses are always available. Why not tap into this stream of expertise and enrich your life?