Virtual training is now becoming more and more common, especially because of the demand for more face-to-face learning in the digital environment.
Live, virtual instructor-led training keeps learners engaged during the whole learning session. Tools like Adobe Connect allow instructors to re-create classroom sessions in a digital environment.
However, with innumerable advantages, virtual training also comes with certain distractions. These distractions can be easily addressed by implementing engagement strategies designed for the online learning environment.
In this article, we will be discussing a few such strategies:
#1 Design Engaging Virtual Training Lessons
One of the biggest challenges in virtual training lessons is keeping students or learners engaged. That can only happen if the educator designs or curates a learning plan that includes activities to keep students engaged in the course.
Plan study maps and activities that will fit boost engagement and retention of training material. The objective here is to turn the online class from a one-way communication channel to an interactive experience where students actively participate in the lessons.
#2 Utilize Quizzing & Polling
With the advancement of technology, we have received some tools that can help us know whether we are taking things in the right way or not. Polls and quizzes give organizations or institutions real-time data to measure feedback and then approach the online lessons accordingly. For instance, quizzes and polls can show instructors which students needs special attention during class. With this information, an instructor can then plan the upcoming sessions to be more engaging for those students.
#3 Use First Names To Call Out Participants
During virtual learning lessons, it is crucial to acknowledge the participant in the class. The best way to do that is to acknowledge them with their first names. When facilitators or educators use learners’ first names, it grabs their attention positively to their course or lecture. This also reinforces the feeling of interpersonal communication and also makes them feel that you care for their responses.
#4 Ask For Engagement Every Few Minutes
It is very important to keep students engaged throughout the online session. Since engagement activities cannot last for the entire duration of the class, instructors have to come up with other ways to ensure students remain engaged even after the activity has taken place. This can done by asking students some questions every five to ten minutes.
In fact, casual engagement during virtual lessons works the best. This kind of engagement will keep learners paying attention as they know the facilitator can ask questions at anytime.
#5 Begin & End WIth Full-Screen Presenter Mode
Your learners will not feel engaged if they keep looking at slide deck virtual sessions. You might not know, but most of the virtual presentation software actually highlights the slides and shows the facilitator in a smaller view. If you stop sharing your slides, your video will come out in full-screen focus. So when you begin and end the training session in full screen, it will help you in building an effective connection with your learners or audience.
#6 Have Breakout Sessions
Breakout sessions are a great way to bring participation in virtual training.
In every classroom, there will be some participants who are not very comfortable speaking out. However, with breakout sessions, you can allow everyone to participate. Educators can plan in advance what learners can do in their breakout sessions.
#7 Offer Multiple Options To Participate
It is essential for the learners to be comfortable in participating in their virtual sessions. That’s why as a facilitator, you should be offering multiple options to participate in the sessions. If a learner is not comfortable speaking through a microphone, he or she can ask questions through chatbox, and it will engage both learner and educator.
All the strategies mentioned above will help lead to effective virtual learning. However, the list isn’t exhaustive. Educators must get creative and think of engagement techniques that may work best for their students.
Did we miss mentioning your favorite engagement activity? Share it with us, and everyone else in the comment section below.