This document outlines techniques for engaging participants in virtual facilitation. It discusses using tools like chat, polling, streaming video, annotation, emoticons and status icons, short instructional videos, and a host/producer role. The goal is to implement techniques that engage participants every 3 minutes, adopt an interactive mindset over a lecture style, and create a compelling visual experience to keep learners engaged.

1. Crossing the Chasm to
Engaging Virtual Facilitation
August 28, 2012
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2. Webinar Objectives
• Adopt the tools and tricks of creating an
engaging virtual experience
• Implement six engagement techniques
• Deliver to your participants valuable, engaging
virtual learning
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3. About Cynthia Clay
• Founder and CEO
• 25+ years of experience
• Began delivering web conference
training in 2004
• Author of Great Webinars
• Lead the Virtual Facilitator Trainer
Certification™ course
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4. Purpose
What is your primary purpose for
attending this session?
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5. Experience
How many webinars have you delivered?
10+ webinars
4 – 9 webinars
1 – 3 webinars
I’ve never delivered a webinar
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6. What Can Go Wrong?
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7. What Can Go Wrong?
Talking head presenter
Monotone voice
Reading slides
Little interaction
No peer-to-peer chatting
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8. What Can Go Wrong?
Q&A at the end
Bullet-point presentations
No slide graphics
Feeling “alone” on the event
Technical difficulties
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9. Adult Learning Principles
Name one adult learning
principle.
Malcolm Knowles
(1913 – 1997)
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10. Adult Learning Principles
• Adults need to be involved in the planning and
evaluation of their learning.
• Experience (mistakes included) provides the basis for
learning activities.
• Adults want to learn subjects that have immediate
relevance to their work or personal lives.
• Adult learning is problem-centered not
content-oriented.
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11. Transforming the Virtual
Classroom
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12. New Mindset
The more you feel
like a lecturer, the
less effective you will
be in the virtual
classroom.
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13. It’s a Visual Medium
Make your slides compelling.
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14. Rule of Thumb
Engage participants every 3
minutes with a poll, chat, or
request for feedback.
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15. Your Tool Kit
Chat
Polling
Streaming Video
Annotation Tools
Emoticons/Status Icons
Video
Host/Producer
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16. Chat
Uses Benefits
Ask questions of participants Engage attention
Encourage problem solving Activate their thinking
Build peer-to-peer dialogue Increase collaboration
Invite questions and observations Build commitment to the learning
community
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17. Open Chat
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21. Multiple Chats
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24. Pairs Chat
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25. Polling
Uses Benefits
Quiz participants to check learning Verify learning effectiveness
Quickly get learner feedback Engage participants easily
Share opinions and experiences Increase peer-to-peer learning
Check assumptions about your Tailor your presentation
audience
Set up a lecture or discussion Engage their thinking functions
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26. Build Awareness
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28. Express Opinions
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30. Test Learning
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33. Streaming Video
Uses Benefits
Stream video of the presenter and Create interest
host
Capture attention of visual learners
Build rapport
Decrease multi-tasking
Strengthen learner – facilitator
contract
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34. Annotation Tools
Uses Benefits
Learners “point” at content on a Get fast feedback
slide
Participants may label diagrams Test knowledge retained
Facilitation can conduct rapid polls Move quickly through content while
engaging learners
Host or facilitator can type learner Facilitate discussion and record key
responses points
Use pointer and highlighter on slide Direct learner attention
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35. Whiteboard
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36. Point to Problems
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37. Emoticons/Status Icons
Uses Benefits
Check in with participants Quickly see
agreement/disagreement
Replace eye contact Confirm assumptions
Check the pulse of the class See who’s ready to move forward
Ask for volunteers Keep everyone on track
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38. Status Icons
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39. Status Icons
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41. Video
Uses Benefits
Show short (< 2minutes) video Change the energy
Demonstrate skills or behaviors
Introduce a problem to solve
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42. Video
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43. Host/Producer
Uses Benefits
Use the Host as your delivery Energize the workshop
partner
Handle technology issues Don’t slow down your delivery
Answer logistical questions Provide personal support to
learners
Present role play and case Create interest
examples.
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44. Role Play on Camera
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45. Get Learner Feedback
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48. Technology Snafus
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49. Technology Snafus
• Always schedule a dry run
• Arrive 30 minutes prior to your
webinar
• Use a host/producer to handle
technical issues
• Practice breakout rooms with real people
• Have a contingency plan for technology issues
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50. The Zen of Delivery
Begin with a centered, calm mind
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51. Action Planning
• One thing I can do….
• One thing my team can do….
• One thing my organization can do….
• One other thought….
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52. Complete the Survey
• Receive the slides
• Attend Virtual Facilitator Training course:
• (September 10 – October 3)
• Receive a 20% discount
• Use promo code
“trainingindustry”
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53. Twitter: cclayatnetspeed
LinkedIn: cynthiaclay
Email: cclay@netspeedlearning.com