What If Virtual Learning Was Actually...Good?

Let me guess: when you think about virtual learning, you picture someone talking at a camera for an hour. Participants with cameras off. A chat box full of crickets.

And you think, "Well, that's just what virtual is."

But what if it's not?

What if the problem isn't that virtual learning is inherently boring?  It's that we're still trying to force in-person formats into a virtual space.

Here's what I've learned: virtual learning can be as engaging and effective as in-person learning. But only if we stop treating it like a lesser version of the "real thing" and start designing for the medium, not against it.

The Problem: We're Stuck in Old Formats

When the pandemic hit, we took our in-person trainings, conferences, and workshops and moved them to Zoom. Same agenda. Same structure. Same 8-hour day.

And it didn't work.

Because what works in person doesn't automatically work virtually.

A 90-minute keynote? Exhausting on Zoom.
An all-day conference? Burnout.
Breakout discussions with no structure? Awkward silence.

But instead of rethinking the format, we decided virtual learning was the problem. It’s not. How we approach the redesign often is.

Rethinking Online Conferences

Traditional in-person conferences often consist of 3 days, back-to-back sessions, and big keynotes.

Virtual conferences that try to replicate can be exhausting.

What works better:

• Spread it out: Instead of 3 full days, try a couple of half-days over the span of a week or two.

• Shorten the keynotes: A 60-minute keynote becomes a 10-15-minute recorded video. Use the live session for Q&A and discussion.

• Design for connection: Host small "interest group" sessions, facilitate peer networking in breakout rooms, or create a Slack space for ongoing conversation.

• Give people choices: People won't sit in front of a screen for 8 hours. Offer concurrent sessions and let people choose what's relevant and access the recordings.

Rethinking Online Workshops

Workshops are about doing, not just listening. That’s where virtual learning can actually shine, if you design for it.

When designing your next workshop, consider moving some of the content outside of the live session. Send pre-work, such as a short video or one-page guide, so you can use your live time for hands-on application instead of lecture.

Then use breakout rooms strategically. Small groups of three to four people can work through scenarios, learn from one another, or practice skills together. Just give them a clear task and time limit so the conversation stays focused.

Collaborative tools like Google Docs, Miro, Zoom Whiteboard, or even the chat can also help participants interact, share ideas, and see their progress throughout the workshop.

Some Things Are Better In Person (And That's Okay)

Let’s be honest: not everything translates well to virtual.

Deep relationship-building over multiple days? Harder virtually.

Complex hands-on skills that require physical presence? In-person is often better.

But that doesn’t mean the entire learning experience has to be in-person. Instead, think about which parts of the experience benefit from being together physically and which can happen virtually.

Virtual learning can work especially well when the goal is to share information, discuss ideas, practice through conversation, or connect people across locations.

Community of practice meetings are a great example. A virtual format can bring together people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to connect, making it easier to share experiences, ask questions, and learn from one another across different locations.

The key isn’t asking, “Can we do this virtually?” It’s asking, “What are we trying to accomplish, and which format will help us do that best?”

UX Matters More Than You Think

It’s important to remember that the user experience of your virtual training is just as important as the content. Every extra click, confusing instruction, or technical barrier is another reason someone might not show up.

When designing your next virtual experience, make it easy to get started. Send clear instructions beforehand that tell people how to join, what to prepare, and what to expect. The fewer steps people have to figure out on their own, the better.

Accessibility should also be part of the design from the start, not an afterthought. Use readable fonts, high-contrast colors, and captions, and consider the person with the slowest internet connection, not the fastest.

Be intentional about your platform, too. Don’t default to Zoom just because it’s familiar. Ask yourself: What do I need this platform to do? Do you need breakout rooms, polling, a whiteboard, or something else? Choose the tool that actually supports the experience you’re trying to create.

And finally, remember that people are looking at your slides on a screen, not a projector. Keep them simple and scannable, and use visuals instead of walls of text.

How to Redesign Your Next Virtual Learning Experience

1. Start with the goal, not the format

What do you want people to be able to do? Then ask: What format best supports that goal?

2. Break it into smaller pieces

If it’s longer than 90 minutes, consider whether it could be multiple sessions.

3. Design for interaction first, content second

Plan where people will discuss, practice, or apply, not just where you’ll present.

4. Test the tech

Run through the full experience as a participant. Is it easy to navigate? Fix the friction points before the session.

What This Means for You

Virtual learning isn’t a consolation prize. It’s a different medium with different strengths.

When you stop trying to recreate in-person experiences and start designing for virtual, you unlock new possibilities: greater accessibility, more flexible formats, and engagement tools that can enhance learning.

The question isn’t “Is virtual as good as in-person?” It’s “How do I design virtual learning that works?”

Need support designing virtual learning that people actually want to attend? Let's talk.