This document outlines the design of a training for webinar hosts. The training aims to teach participants how to use various interaction tools in webinar software, including application sharing, breakout rooms, polling, and chat. The course begins with introductions and an overview before demonstrating each interaction tool. Participants then practice creating a short virtual session using at least one of each tool. Feedback is provided before closing the training. The goal is for participants to feel comfortable facilitating engagement virtually after the training.

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Note: This training assumes the existence of an “Interaction Tools Procedure Guide”
that provides basic step-by-step instructions for using each of the Interaction Tools.
The Guide can also include resources for questions, additional information, etc. For
example:
“To share an application using the Application Sharing feature:
1. Make sure the application that you want to share is opened and maximized.
2. Click on the “Share” pull-down menu.
3. Click on the “Application” link.
4. If needed, click on the application that you want to share.
5. Click on the “Share” button.
6. To end sharing, click on the “Exit/Stop Sharing” button.”
Training Goal: After the training and using reference material, participants will be able
to use the software’s features, including:
• Application Sharing
• Break Out Rooms
• Chat
• Desktop Sharing
• Mark-Up Tools
• Polling
• Q&A
• Raise Hands
• Testing
• White Board
• Yes and No Voting
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Preparation:
• Announce training goals, course agenda, and participant requirements.
• Limit class to 6 participants.
• Ask participants to have a small PowerPoint file and a small Excel spreadsheet
ready to use during training.
• If using a short (15-minute) break (see below) the training will last about an hour.
Course Outline:
Welcome participants:
• Introduce yourself.
• Have participants introduce themselves.
• State training goal.
• State training benefits.
• State post-training expectations.
• Review agenda.
• Ask for questions.
Describe tool:
• “Virtual classroom” software. Review terms (Class, Instructor, Learner). Provide
examples of use, stating benefits.
• “Distance collaboration” software. Review terms (Session, Host, Participant).
Provide examples of use, stating benefits.
• “Webinar” software. Review terms (Session, Presenter, Attendee). Provide
examples of use, stating benefits.
• Use and benefits are limited only by your imagination!
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Introduce concept of participant interaction in virtual classes:
• Student interaction and participation is an important factor in determining student
learning and satisfaction.
• If a traditional, face-to-face classroom instructor is dynamic (use of hand
gestures and non-verbal expression, good body language, and good presence),
an in-person lecture can be very engaging.
• Unfortunately, that naturally-engaging behavior is not available in a virtual class.
• It is replaced with student interaction and participation.
• For example, one training organization uses this rule—“there is some sort of
student participation or interaction after every four slides.”
Reviewing the Procedure Guide as you conduct a demonstration of all Interaction Tools,
review Participant basics:
• Review the Raise Hands feature; use only to ask questions. Do not use for Yes
and No Voting!
• Review the Yes and No Voting feature; use for Yes and No answers only.
• Review the Chat tool. State examples of use (send private message about
technical problems to Instructor, reflect on new content and send Chat for review
by class as part of an activity, etc.). Ask each participant to send you a Chat and
describe the result.
• Review the Q&A tool. State examples of use (send question on content for
review at end of class, etc.). Ask each participant to send you a question and
describe the result.
Sharing your desktop when possible, continue to review additional Interaction Tools:
• State that the White Board can be used as a chalkboard for brainstorming, to
highlight areas on documents, etc. Share your Desktop and demonstrate how to
open the White Board. Demonstrate how to use the Mark-Up Tools by using the
Line Draw Tool to draw a “Tic Tac Toe” graphic on the Board. Use the Text Tool
to title each section of the graphic with a participant’s name. Stop Sharing,
display the White Board, and have each participant use a Mark-Up Tool in their
space of the graphic.
• Share your Desktop again. Show participants how you can create a one- or two-
question Poll. End Sharing, display the Poll, have participants complete it, and
show or describe the results.
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Sharing your desktop when possible, continue to review additional Interaction Tools
(continued):
• Share your Desktop and demonstrate Application Sharing by sharing an Excel
file. Have each participant collaborate and enter data within the spreadsheet.
Review several examples of possible Application Sharing (PowerPoint file
creation, proposal creation, etc.). End Sharing, give each participant control of
the screen, and have each participant share an Excel file. When a participant
shares a file, ask all participants to enter new information within the file.
• Share your Desktop and demonstrate how you create Break-Out Rooms. End
Sharing, pair participants, and place each pair in one of three break-out rooms.
Have each participant share his/her previously-used Excel file and have both
participants mark-up each file. Visit each Break-Out Room to review progress
and answer questions. Bring all participants back from the Break-Out rooms.
Assign Practice:
• Tell each participant that they will now create a small virtual class or collaboration
session. Giving them at least 15 minutes, have them take a break or log off from
the session and create a session that uses at a minimum:
o A Yes or No response,
o A Raised Hand,
o (At least) One Polling question,
o The White Board, and
o At least one Application Sharing where all participants should (and do)
modify the application.
Review Practice:
• Have each Participant present their session.
• Provide coaching and feedback as needed.
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Close the training.
• Ask for questions.
• Discuss additional concepts, such as:
o Try to keep sessions under 60 minutes.
o Using a 20-point or greater PowerPoint font size
o For repeated uses, create a script to introduce and practice the basic tools
(Raise Hand, Yes or No Voting, Chat, and Q&A).
o Consider recording your session.
• State the resources available to participants if they have any questions or would
like more information.
• Thank participants for their time and attention.
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