Does anyone know the "ideal" size an on-line technical training class should be? My company is requesting that we begin to train almost everything remotely. We are in the process of setting up a training company-wide for a new computer system and need to be able to train remotely, via webinars, webex, etc. Need to be able to average time it will take based on the size of the classes but am not sure what size they should be for optimal training and learning.

It depends upon what activities you will have them do. But, remember that demo/practice will take longer to do in a virtual classroom and longer to evaluate.

I would limit class size to under 10.

Thank you Amy. That is what I thought but we are being encouraged to make the class sizes larger. They will be learning a brand new computer system that every nurse in the company needs to be able to understand and use. It is pretty complicated.

I will agree with Amy. It is very difficult to handle more than 10 and get anything more than a brief exposure and familiarity with new software if you have more. If all you are doing is you want people to know there is some new software and very generally what its capabilities are, then you could present to many more than 10. If on the other hand you expect that they will actually be able to use the new software, then 10 is pushing it.

If management wants the latter, use this quote, "If you think training is expensive, try ignorance." For more along this line go to my web site > Web Store and look for the free paper on The Number 1 Training Cost. Link is below.
http://eproficiency.com/webSto...age=index&cPath=3_13

Our Microsoft classes (Excel, etc.) have a maximum enrollment of 12 and that can be a stretch without a co-instructor or coach to help attendees. Regular online classes of a technical nature (legal research and writing) have about the same limit. Give a yell if you need more info. Tom