VIRTUAL TRAINING – By Cindy Huggett, CPTD
Recording sessions has benefits and drawbacks
Most virtual platforms make it easy to record live sessions. Recordings capture the essence of a virtual event and are available for playback afterward.
The recording can be local on an individual attendee’s device, or it can be to the cloud, so it’s available to view or share with anyone. Some platforms allow all attendees to record, while others only grant this privilege to hosts or meeting organizers.
But just because a session can be recorded, doesn’t mean it should be. For each benefit of recording there is an equally important drawback.
To Record
Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of recording virtual training events, starting with three reasons in favor of it:
- Recordings provide reinforcement for attendees who may want to go back and watch the replay. If a training topic is complex or lengthy, participants may want to revisit the content for review or reinforcement. Having a recording available on-demand gives participants the opportunity to repeat the information as needed.
- Recordings allow attendees who miss the event to “make up” the session. Whether a planned absence or an unexpected one, participants who cannot attend a virtual event have the opportunity to watch the recording of it. Although it’s not the same as attending the live event, viewing the replay is often perceived as better than missing it altogether.
- Recordings create documentation of the event. Documentation may be needed for certain types of training, to prove someone’s attendance and participation. Or a recorded session could be used as a development opportunity for the presenter or trainer if they review their session for feedback and lessons learned. In addition, some organizations use recordings for auditing purposes, to ensure consistency and quality among training programs.
Not to Record
On the flip side, there are many reasons not to record:
- It can change the dynamic of the learning experience. When a session is recorded, it’s captured for perpetuity. Participants may be hesitant to ask questions, reluctant to engage in the learning and embarrassed to practice new skills. They may be concerned over who will watch the recording, or that their incompetence is captured on video. The potential lack of trust can completely disrupt the learning experience.
- Only parts of the virtual platform are recorded. Some platforms only record the shared screen without any other tools – such as whiteboards, polls and annotations – included. This is a problem if an interactive virtual class makes extensive use of these items. The playback will be only a partial glimpse into the full program.
- It’s a shadow of the synchronous experience. One of virtual training’s biggest benefits is its ability to bring people together from remote locations for communication and collaboration. A facilitator leads the conversation and activities that should lead to learning outcomes and on-the-job application of new knowledge and skills. But when a session is only passively watched afterward, these outcomes are rarely realized.
The Answer Is…
After weighing the pros and cons, I do not advocate for recording virtual learning inmost circumstances. In my experience, the drawbacks are too significant when compared to the benefits. Remember that virtual training isn’t the same as a virtual meeting or presentation. Virtual training is meant to be interactive, collaborative and synchronous.
However, if there’s a justified need for recording a session, such as it’s the only solution to attendance challenges, consider the following alternative: Use the recording to create an edited summary reel and provide that for playback.
Similar to watching the highlights of a sporting event on the evening news, it becomes a shorter video with only the key content included. This solution repurposes the content into a format that’s better suited for asynchronous viewing.
It may make perfect sense in your organization to record sessions. But do so only after careful consideration. Make the choice to record only after weighing the pros and cons.
Cindy Huggett, CPTD, is a consultant and author whose books include The Facilitator’s Guide to Immersive, Blended and Hybrid Learning and Virtual Training Tools and Templates. Email her at Cindy@CindyHuggett.com or connect with her on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/cindyhuggett/.
