Like many of you, we have had to learn (and quickly might I add) to adapt our work to remote working needs. In doing this we have had to work closely with our partners to not just keep the work we do in our cross-system projects afloat…but to thrive as well. With new partners engaging in the work we do throughout COVID, we have really honed in our skills for conducting trainings virtually. Below we share what we call “lessons learned” on how to improve the virtual learning experiences of your participants.
- Let’s Breakout. It is helpful to know how many breakout groups will be needed prior to training and have a leader already assigned to facilitate the breakout sessions when possible. This can be especially helpful with groups who may not know each other and the virtual setting can be awkward to get started. We have also found folks are more apt to participate in smaller groups (of about 4-5), encouraging conversation and participation.
- Lights, CAMERAS, Action! Requiring video participation is key during virtual trainings where group participation is a fundamental part of the training. Without cameras, participants are more likely to engage in other activities/work which can make it extremely hard for the traner(s) to engage. In addition to engagement with the curriculum and trainer, video allows participants to engage better with one another, especially during breakout sessions.
- Activities Take Longer. Consider reducing the number of participants in virtual trainings than you would have in-person. While you may think, “Wow, no travel and minimal logistical constraints, lets pack it in!”, this may not be the case. Lack of time can be a very difficult challenge to address especially with trainings that are being adapted from in-person to virtual formats. Often, there are specified timeframes for activities that are more difficult to meet in virtual settings. Unforeseen hold-ups such as participant (or trainer) issues with technology, lack of engagement, etc. can really de-rail your time. And the more participants…the more time.
- It’s Complicated! Avoid extremely complicated activities when possible. This may not be possible for all trainings, especially those that have rigid curriculum requirements. In these cases be creative! Make them more web-friendly. Giving very clear instructions with pre-prepared examples by trainers of what activities should look like before an activity is crucial to reducing confusion.
- Stop the Hop—Reducing Technical Difficulties. Have you heard the saying, “What can go wrong will?” Instead of relying on the internet and switching screens back and forth when using videos and other internet assisted technologies save the videos as files and paste them into the PowerPoint. Videos can also be edited to only contain the section you need to show, eliminating having to remember where to stop and start and gets rid of those pesky commercials. You can also “stop the hop” by having training documents already opened and pulled up or by having them all saved to a “training folder” or to your desktop prior to training.
- Be Engaging, Be-e Engaging! Participants are more engaged when their presenters are engaging! Know the material well enough to maintain eye contact with participants, facial expressions, hand gestures, voice inflection, tone, and clarity can all be quite helpful in holding their attention. Also, ask questions to promote audience participation and inserting interesting, relevant, and entertaining examples can also help keep participants engaged. Reading the material, which cuts out eye contact, and skipping over opportunities for engagement to cut time can cause monotony in the presentation and participants to bore more easily.
- Other Noteworthy Nuggets.
- Be empathetic to your participants. Not all technology is created equal. Some participants may have a whole swarm of difficulties. Technical, logistical, etc. and may need a little more grace than they would in person.
- Try to always have a co-facilitator that can go offline and chat to assist participants struggling with technology or connectivity issues.
- Play low-level upbeat music at the beginning of training and during breaks to energize participants as they join
- Break often. Build in time to take breaks every 60-90 minutes for longer trainings. Zoom fatigue can take a real toll on trainings.
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