Transitioning to a new platform can be challenging, but with LearnCube, the process can be smooth and beneficial with the right approach. Effective teacher onboarding is crucial not only for a successful transition but also for enhancing teaching outcomes and retaining satisfied staff. Schools with strong onboarding processes enjoy greater teacher satisfaction, better teaching results, and longer retention rates. Investing time and effort upfront yields significant long-term rewards for schools, teachers, and students alike.

At LearnCube, we recommend a set of best practices for onboarding that leverage our decade of experience in supporting schools migrating from offline or other platforms.

It's key to think about the onboarding process on an individual teacher level, working out detailed steps from the start of the hiring process to when they're considered fully onboarded, and also at an organisational level, particularly for schools transitioning from one platform to another.

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The first step in onboarding new teachers is providing access to resources to help them understand how the platform works. We have a wealth of resources to support teachers in using the virtual classroom, including our training playlist on YouTube and support articles in our knowledge base. We also offer a template for a teacher handbook, which schools can copy and adapt to their own needs. We strongly recommend having a Google Doc or Wiki version of the teacher handbook to ensure teachers are not referencing outdated PDF files stored on their computers.

When teachers move to LearnCube, they're not just learning a new set of tools; they're adopting a new approach to teaching.
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Unlike platforms that rely heavily on screen-sharing, LearnCube’s virtual classroom fosters interactivity, allowing for more engaging and collaborative lessons. It is essential to help teachers understand how this shift will affect their teaching style, student interactions, and lesson materials. The onboarding process should be designed to help teachers adapt to this new environment, ensuring they are equipped to deliver high-quality education from day one.
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We’ve created this video, which compares teaching approaches on video conferencing platforms like Zoom to on virtual classroom platforms like LearnCube.

Experience is the best teacher, which is why we recommend providing opportunities for hands-on practice. Teachers should be given access to test rooms where they can explore LearnCube's features and tools. This opportunity to experiment in a no-pressure environment helps teachers build confidence.

For new schools, we offer live training sessions for teachers. The interactive Q&A segments can be invaluable. These sessions not only provide technical guidance but also offer a space for teachers to ask questions and gain insights into effective strategies for using LearnCube in their classrooms.

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Implementing a cohort-based approach to onboarding is an effective strategy when transitioning large groups of teachers to LearnCube. This method allows schools to roll out the platform in stages, ensuring a smoother transition and providing opportunities to refine the process based on real-world feedback.

We recommend starting with a small group of 5 to 10 teachers, carefully selecting individuals who are both tech-savvy and open to trying new software. This group should include a mix of teachers, including those who are enthusiastic about technology and those who may be more critical or resistant. The feedback from these teachers is invaluable, as it helps identify any potential issues early in the process.

The first cohort should be provided with comprehensive training resources, including your teacher handbook, YouTube training playlist, and support articles. Encourage teachers to explore the platform using test classrooms to familiarise themselves with the features and tools.

During this phase, it’s important to gather detailed feedback to assess teachers’ experiences. Use tools like Excel or Google Sheets to systematically collect and organise this feedback. This documentation should include the class review link from any affected classes, which will help our tech team to investigate.

Having this data is very useful because, of course, every school is different and will have its own unique challenges. Our support team will be able to help you to navigate these challenges, using our years of experience with schools all over the world.

With insights gained from the initial cohort, prepare for the second wave of onboarding. For some schools, two phases is enough, but for larger schools, you may want to consider more cohorts of teachers, to allow for a more gradual rollout.

The next cohort(s) should benefit from improvements made based on feedback from the first group. Share key learnings and address any previously identified challenges, ensuring each cohort builds on the success of the last.

At this point we strongly recommend organising a live training session, which we are always happy to facilitate.

Adjust Training Sessions
Incorporate solutions to common issues found in the first cohort's feedback into your training sessions. Highlight best practices and share success stories from the initial group.

Provide Consistent Support

Maintain open lines of communication with the new cohort, offering support and resources tailored to their needs. Encourage ongoing dialogue to ensure any new issues are quickly addressed.
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Ongoing Monitoring and Evaluation

Continue this process, with each new cohort building on the experiences and feedback of the previous groups. Allow approximately two weeks for teachers to become fully comfortable with the platform, recognizing that while they can learn the basics in just a few hours, adapting their teaching style and realising the full benefits of LearnCube takes more time. Throughout this period, regularly collect feedback and refine your onboarding process to better serve your school's needs.
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Once the final cohort is onboarded, we can move to a school-wide rollout. While teachers can learn the Virtual Classroom basics in just a few hours, adapting their teaching style and realising the full benefits of LearnCube takes more time. We recommend allowing approximately two weeks for teachers to become fully comfortable with the platform before moving forwards.

By following a structured, feedback-driven approach, schools can ensure a successful transition to LearnCube, enhancing both teacher and student experiences.

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In a rapidly evolving educational landscape, continuous learning is vital. LearnCube is committed to regular updates and feature improvements, and teachers should be kept informed through ongoing training sessions. Organising regular webinars or teacher newsletters on specific topics to keep teachers engaged and up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques. These needn’t be too frequent - we recommend quarterly updates so that teachers don’t feel bombarded with information.

The additional benefit of placing emphasis on professional development is that your teachers will feel more supported, and be able to take advantage of new tools and features to deliver the best possible learning experience to their students.

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Particularly for schools experiencing high growth or turnover, implementing a mentorship program can offer significant benefits. Pairing new teachers with experienced mentors fosters a supportive and collaborative teaching environment, enhancing the overall onboarding experience.

New teachers often feel more comfortable reaching out to colleagues rather than their supervisors when seeking advice on minor issues. The mentor-mentee relationship encourages open communication and creates a safe space for new teachers to ask questions about the platform, share teaching tips, and discuss classroom management strategies. By providing a trusted peer resource, schools can ease the transition process and reduce the burden on administrative staff.

Mentors play a crucial role in identifying teachers who may be struggling a bit, flagging any significant challenges or concerns to school coordinators. This early detection allows for timely intervention and additional support, ensuring that no teacher is left suffering in silence. By facilitating this connection, mentors help maintain a proactive approach to problem-solving and support, ultimately benefiting both teachers and students.

A mentorship program not only supports individual teachers but also strengthens the school's teaching community. It fosters a culture of collaboration and shared learning, where teachers can exchange knowledge and best practices. This sense of community can improve teacher satisfaction and retention, as educators feel more connected to their colleagues and supported in their professional growth. For schools looking to enhance cohesion and teamwork among their staff, a mentorship program is a valuable tool to consider.

While a mentorship program may not be suited to every school’s organisational structure, it’s definitely an option worth exploring. The benefits of peer support, early identification of challenges, and community building make it an attractive choice for schools seeking to enhance their onboarding experience with LearnCube.

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