We help people train people.
Are you using pre-flection to help learning stick? Yes, pre-flection or "bending before" we do the work. It takes a few minutes at the beginning of any training session to help create motivation and context for learning. Those two things help make learning durable!
You know reflection creates more durable learning, but how often are you using it as an after thought? You know the time reflection is worth it. But, where do you position reflection in your design for the most impact?
Twenty-five people joined breakout rooms to decipher my instructions. Their task? Lead class for the rest of the day.
Let's face it. Lectures can be boring. We're often stuck feeling like we're required to lecture during in person and virtual training.
Guide breakout room activities with timed arrows in PowerPoint. Simple steps to create your own arrows.
Wasted. Lost. Paused. I stumbled upon an article with those three words describing the space between today and March 13, 2020. I was overwhelmed with a feeling of disagreement. The years were challenging, difficult, monotonous, tedious, trying, tragic, and long, but not wasted. We can carry many powerful lessons and accomplishments from our pandemic experience. Here is my non-exhaustive list of…
You've probably facilitated more virtual classes in the last year than you can count. You've unmuted, muted, and shared your screen numerous times. And, like me, you've made some mistakes. Whatever your experience level there are five things you need to stop doing in virtual training. These five things distract learners from your content and make you look unprofessional. Stop leaving computer…
We need connection. We need feedback. We need interaction in class. Asking questions of learners is one way we obtain connection, feedback, and interaction. BUT... You ask a question. And nothing happens. Nothing. What can you do to change this situation? How can you get responses from learners? Zoom fatigue is real. Screen time and Covid and social distancing and working from home have exhausted…
Have you observed learners sitting quietly in the virtual classroom , waiting for someone else to answer your question? Yes, you could have people respond in the chat. But what about that rich, verbal exchange you loved so much from the traditional classroom space? "People don't participate in virtual discussions." Thirty people in the Zoom meeting considered the problem for a moment. "Don't…
How do learners respond when you ask a question? Are you tired of sitting in awkward silence?
The clock ticked closer to the hour and the exodus began. Messages began to drop into chat, "I've got a meeting at 11:00." "I need to be on a call at the hour." Have you been victim of the On The Hour Exodus ? Frustrated that people don't stay until the end of the class or meeting you've so carefully orchestrated? Have you heard the lament of people who don't want to go but they've been scheduled…
You know the benefits of using a producer , but how do you manage your roles and relationship? Clear communication between a producer and trainer will make your life easier and your training more professional. My virtual training is successful because of my producer. Without her managing attendance, opening breakout rooms, monitoring time, and troubleshooting technical issues I would not be able…
Photo by Firmbee.com on Unsplash Do you need a producer to assist you with virtual learning? Yes. There's my answer. Simply yes. In my mind, it's really nonnegotiable. Why? A good virtual producer makes it easier for you, the facilitator, to focus on two things: 1. The Learners 2. The Content By its vary nature training in the virtual environment means you are juggling multiple things -- the…
Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash In the last year trainers have been challenged to learn new skills, use new technologies, and facilitate in an unfamiliar way. The camera is the most controversial component of virtual instructor led training (VILT). Off? On? How do we handle it? My perspective on camera usage is...be flexible. I love when I can see learners. I love when I can see the changes…
Are you sending participants into breakout room blackholes? Are you sending them to their rooms hoping they'll make the most of it? There is a better way!
Imagine two situations. Which would you prefer? SITUATION ONE: You sign into the Zoom (or Teams or WebEx) session. There is a PowerPoint slide that says, "welcome to class." And silence. Nothing else. You just wait. Maybe you check email. Maybe you get up go get a cup of coffee. SITUATION TWO: You sign into the Zoom session. You are greeted by a person who says, "welcome Joe. Glad to have you…
How are you wrapping up your classes lately? Asking learners to reflect back on their experience is vital to longterm behavioral change. Stop-Start-Continue is a classic exercise that can be easily added into your virtual training. Add one slide to your slide deck then ask learners to use the annotation function to add their thoughts to the slide. In my example below you'll see there are a lot of…
Last Friday I opened a Zoom meeting and waited. My reliable producer/tech support showed up on time. And then we waited. While he's really good company, I began to worry it was just going to be the two of us. And then you started to arrive! And WOW, did you arrive! I'm blown away by the Learning and Development Community. I'm blown away by YOU. We discussed what's working, what resources you've…
Monday I cried in front of fifty people simply because we were together. I pride myself on having a very balanced, full life. I have clear boundaries. I don't work in the evening because that is reserved for family. I take time for myself. And then the corona virus happened. I have a congenital heart defect. I have been through two open heart surgeries, one just three years ago. I've technically…
I wrote this article before the Covid-19 outbreak. I hesitated to post it today, but decided it is important right now as organizations (and educational institutions) move things online in order to avoid human to human contact. In the short term, online learning will fill a gap; however, it is not a long term solution after the virus is effectively contained. Technology is sexy. It's appealing to…