As with any training, though, the involvement of learners is obviously important. But here’s where the problems start:
» learners who see the virtual classroom as one in which they can talk as much as they like, without being silenced
» learners who focus on specific facts and details that would be better discussed off-line
» learners who are so worried about their own performance in this new environment that they get distracted from the session

Some of these problems are going to crop up in any classroom, virtual or concrete! Some, however, are specific to an online environment, and to particular types of learner. At e-coaches, we’re interested in applying an understanding of personality type to these and other problems in the virtual classroom.

Ok. But What is ‘Personality Type’?

Glad you asked. ‘Personality Type’ refers to a system of analyzing the way individuals behave in certain situations, based on psychometric principles of Jungian psychology. The analysis is broken down into four sections: energizing, paying attention, making decisions, and living life.
» Someone’s energizing preference indicates where they draw strength from: outside interactions, or within him- or herself? An individual is extraverted or introverted.
» Paying attention focuses on one’s…well, focus. Are you concerned with detail, a sensing individual? Or do you have a more general, intuitive approach?
» How one makes decisions deals with one’s personal attitude: are you feeling, concerned to take people into account, or thinking, focused on processes and procedures?
» And so to living life, and the structure with which one does so. An order-loving, routine-based individual has a judging preference, while one who is more inclined to ‘go with the flow’ is described as perceiving.

A test generates an individual profile based on his or her choices in each of these categories: a 50/50 decision in each case gives 16 distinct types.

These types are commonly referred to using a type ‘code’, where each of the preferences is given a letter: E (Extraverted), I (Introverted), S (Sensing), N (iNtuitive), T (Thinking), F (Feeling), J (Judging), and P (Perceiving).

Right. So, in a Learning Environment…?

Well, people don’t leave their personalities at the door (virtual or real) of a learning environment: the personality types of those you train will always be central. This is especially true in a virtual classroom, in which certain ways of gauging people’s reactions – seeing their expressions, for example – are cut off from you.

Problems and Solutions

Talking without listening is a problem with both Extraverted and Introverted learners (for those of you paying attention, that’s everybody!)

Extraverts will enjoy the limelight, and the chance to express their own views without being silenced.

Unlike in an actual classroom, you don’t have the option of having a quiet word with an extraverted individual, so you may feel unable to control the situation. Don’t worry, though: you can always send a private ‘chat’ message, asking him or her to rein in their contributions slightly.

Introverts will relish the opportunity to speak without the kind of real-time interruptions that can throw him or her off course.

Again, private messaging gives you the opportunity to comment on a speaker’s contribution without the abruptness of a public interruption. You can also use online polling to get other users involved in a situation, and prevent it becoming an extravert’s worst nightmare!

Discussing specific facts is a problem you may encounter with the Sensing individuals in your group.

In the collaborative environment of a virtual classroom, getting bogged down inspecific detail can disrupt the flow of a session. Make it clear that you will be available offline after the session to discuss facts and figures, so that sensing individuals won’t feel neglected when you turn to more general theoretical matters as a group.

Getting distracted by the big picture is something common to iNtuitive learners.

Focus on the learning needs of your individual learners. Use the whiteboard annotation tool to engage your intuitive learners with the overall concept, but make sure to emphasize the need to stick to the specifics of the learning project. You won’t be able to see when other participants are bored – and start answering emails or looking up friends on Facebook.