Successful Strategies for Engaging Learnersthrough Webinar Technologies

By Dr. Charlotte McCorquodale

LEARNING OUTCOMESParticipants will learn: The top vendors in the virtual classroom market

and criteria for successfully selecting a virtual classroom product based upon their needs.

Understand the different types of web-based synchronous learning events and how to appropriately use each type depending on learning goal.

Learn strategies for successfully using live web-based learning events as including preparation, implementation, and evaluation.

Learn strategies for creating learner interaction when using webinar technology for online learning.

Why and when should we use webinar technology?

What makes live face-to-face training effective

for adult learners?

Which of things are transferable to a live (synchronous) virtual classroom?

Applying Principles of Adult Education in a Virtual Learning Environment

Adults need to be involved in the planning, action, and evaluation of learning

Experience is the basis for learningRelevance is the key, adults must be

able to use or apply what is being learned

Adult learning is problem-centered vs. content-center

Webinar headaches

Technology snafu’s Audio problems Slow bandwidth

Talking heads or lectures Presenter drops off the

webinarParticipants multi-tasking

What’s the difference?WebinarWebcastLive Virtual classroom

Web-conference

What to look for in a webinar product/provider? Interaction tools such as polls and status

tools (raise hand, applaud, laugh, step-a-away)

Text chat available to participants and speakers

Option to Record Audio Options including integrated telephone

and VoIP Breakout rooms File sharing and screen sharing functions Multiple screen layouts

Go-to-Webinar

Adobe Connect Pro

Elluminate & Blackboard Collaborate

Wiz IQ

Some of the most popular synchronous

virtual classrooms

Tip # 1: Have a Host or Moderator

Provides tech support for participants and presenter(s)

Orients participants to webinar site

Monitors text chat or backchannel

Feed questions to presenters Possible dialogue partner

Tip #2: Using Polls Different purposes of polls

Use polls before you provide learning point Introduce participants to each other Test knowledge, skill, or experience on topic

Different poll types Multiple choice Multiple answer Chat question (avoid broad general questions) Yes/No or Agree/Disagree

How often should polls be used? Always have in slide and in polling function

Tip #3: Create interaction every 2 or 3 slides or 5 to 10 minutes Polls Raise hand if… Ask for chat response Ask for audio response Call on participant Answer questions Change presentation view

Tip #4: The Zen of Delivery Encourage to simulate a F2F

presentation such as to stand when presenting to, have other people in the room with them so that they can get non-verbal feedback (especially if they are new to using the medium for training)

Do not to read a script and use a headset so hands are free

Remember pause and breathe, especially if things do not go as planned

Sign on at least 30 minutes prior to test technology

If you are not the presenter then train the presenter on both the technology and tips for success

Tip #5: Use your different pods and screen viewsPollsDocument

sharingQ & AText chat &

multiple textchat pods

Notes podVideo clipsApplication sharing

Tip #6: Preparing participants for success Ask participants to register even it it is

free (get a commitment) Send reminders at least 2-3 days before

and the day of the webinar Make sure you as well as your users get

on to the webinar site at least 30 minutes prior to the webinar so that a system check can occur.

Tip #7: Use Text Chat for Learner EngagementUnderstand multiple purposes can be achieved in using this interaction tool

For participants asking questions Invite participants to share their

experiences related to the learning topic Encourage participants to contribute to

learning of others by sharing examples or recommending resources

them to answer Using problem-solving question Use chat to ask participants to apply

learning at the end of webinar

Tip #7 (continued): Using Text Chat for Learner Engagement Different group sizes require different

strategies Don’t always allow chatting especially in large

groups because it can be distracting, encourage private chats if needed

Try using the multiple chat pods by dividing participants into groups such as born from January to June and then July to December or to get learners to pick a question that relates to their experience or knowledge

Do not read chat verbatim; highlight comments by skimming and looking for responses that help make teaching point

Tip #8: Use Multiple Voices

Have multiple presenters or guests to present a case study example on topic

Create dialogue with host/moderator Invite participants to speak or ask questions or

make comments (but don’t ask for volunteers) For large webinars create a participant panel

in advance

Tip #9: Keep learners attention by helping learners know where to focus on screen

Use pointing tool to keep screen moving and active

Use drawing tools to draw attention to screen

Visit websites to show examples

Scenarios Pictures and

images

Tip# 10: Storytelling in a

virtual environment

Thanks for you attention and participation!

Our time is up!

Copyright © Ministry Training Source, 2012. All rights reserved.

During the preparation of this resource, all citations, facts, figures, Internet URLs, and other cited information were verified for accuracy. The author has made every attempt to reference current and valid sources, but cannot guarantee the content of any source and is not responsible for any changes that may have occurred since verification. If you find an error in, or have a question or concern about, any of the information or sources listed within, please contact MTS.