Virtual Classroom Training

Managing & Facilitating a Virtual Class The On-Line Learning Mastery Series Welcome Using your laser pointer please tell us where you are working from today. Welcome Greg Davis Please raise your to volunteer. 1 Introduction This course focuses on the managing and facilitating a Virtual Class for all agencies who administer Virtual Classroom Training (VCT) courses. We will demonstrate this capability through Elluminate Live, however it doesn’t matter which tool you use. Course Objectives At the end of this session you will be able to: – List 3 skills a VC trainer must have – Define characteristics of a successful virtual trainer – Explain the various roles of a virtual class – Define 4 ways to communicate with a virtual learners – Articulate the value of at least 3 tools found in a virtual classroom tool – Tell us 3 ways to help a participant succeed in a virtual environment The duration of this course is approximately 2.5 hours Introduction Agenda – – – – – – The Anatomy of a virtual Classroom The Virtual Trainer Communicating in a Virtual Classroom Using the Tools supplied in a Virtual Classroom Virtual Classroom Management Working with Participants in a Virtual Classroom Break Expectations What this session is and isn’t: – – – – – Not a technical Elluminate Live session Not a functional Elluminate Live session Not a class on writing or designing a virtual class Is focused on Virtual Classroom facilitation (presenting material) Is focused on managing participants in a virtual class Elluminate Live Guides Expectations Polling Question If you were asked to facilitate a virtual class right now, what would you confidence level be? A. High B. Medium C. Low Expectations Polling Question What is your ILT facilitation experience? A. B. C. D. Never trained before Less than 1 year 1 - 5 years More than 5 years Tell Me Have you ever facilitated a class Virtually before? or  an . Give me a Expectations The Buddy System • Using the chat room: – Ask/invite someone in the class to be your buddy – Use the “Private” chat function to communicate – Buddies will be doing assignments together during and after class – Raise your when you have identified a buddy – If you can’t find one, I will assign you one – Take one minute The Anatomy of a Virtual Classroom Anatomy of a VCT In order for a Virtual Classroom to take place successful, there are several entities that must be in place: The Virtual Trainer The Virtual Trainer Basic Classroom Facilitation Skills (ILT) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Make eye contact Interpret body language Flip Charting Skills A/V skills Managing a Leader’s Guide Time Management Asking Questions: Open/Closed/Socratic Debriefing Skills Practiced and rehearsed Preparedness 2 The Virtual Trainer ILT Facilitation Skills 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Make eye contact Interpret body language Flip Charting Skills A/V skills Managing a Leader’s Guide Time Management Asking Questions: Open/Closed/Socratic Debriefing Skills Practiced and rehearsed Preparedness 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 VCT Facilitation Skills Understanding of Synchronous Training Knowledge of the technology Keep learner’s engaged Controlling an unseen class Targeting learner’s you can’t see Advocate interaction Collaboration Understanding of Synchronous Training Knowledge of the technology Keep learner’s engaged 3 The Virtual Trainer The Old Paradigm: Traditional Classroom Training • Training to become a trainer – Effective Presentations course – Shadowed another trainer – Your own experience – Learned eye contact, body language, effective questioning techniques, Adult Learning Theory Why you became a trainer: – Being in front of people – Subject Matter Expert – Presentation skills • The Virtual Trainer Characteristics of a Virtual Trainer • • • • • They Direct the learning They Control the learning environment They Communicate with participants They Predict participants’ needs They Encourage interaction The Virtual Trainer A Successful Virtual Trainer • • • • • • • Is collaborative Is an advocate of the synchronous classroom Has a dynamic voice Is flexible Thrives under stress Is a multi-tasker Is a participant first The Virtual Trainer A Virtual Trainer’s Workstation • • • • • • • • • • A private, soundproof room A nearby restroom A high speed connection A Telephone Number for Live Technical Support A Participant list A Do Not Disturb Sign An adequate computer A computer drawing tablet A Pitcher of Water The Virtual Trainer A Co-Presenter/ Producer • • • “Assistant” instructor Specific to VCT Helps you create: – A high touch program – Rich interactions – Minimal technical interruptions Extra pair of hands Geographically disbursed Technical support • • • The Virtual Trainer Practical Application Exercise #1 In terms of your facilitation skills, what causes you anxiety about teaching your next virtual class? 1. 2. 3. 4. What is your biggest fear? Use the white board to draw your fear Raise your hand when you are done You have 2 minutes Communicating in a VC The things that make me most anxious about teaching my next class: 4 The Virtual Trainer Summary – – – – – Classroom skills are transferable It’s natural to be apprehensive A Virtual Trainer is collaborative in nature Prepare a conducive workspace Consider a co-facilitator or a Learning Producer – Recognize your fears and work to over come them Communicating in A Virtual Classroom Communicating in a VC Using Visuals • • • • Don’t create slides that you plan to read verbatim: Use multimedia when it makes sense, not just because you can. Vary your slides Collaborate rather than lecture Communicating in a VC Using Your Voice • • • • • Vary intonations Don’t “over” project Be positive & use humor Smile & use hand gestures Don’t sound scripted Communicating in a VC Language • • • • • Call on participants by name Learn new ways to ask questions Take a real global approach Don’t emphasize technology with your language Don’t talk too much Communicating in a VC Participation • • • • Bring people together to exchange ideas Let them multi-task Read participant cues Don’t be concerned with neatness, let them make a mess Communicating in a VCT Practical Application Exercise #2 Think of one way you could practice each of these communication skills. How would you practice: • • • • 1. 2. 3. making visuals? practice? language? participation? Annotate your ideas on the whiteboard You have 3 minutes Raise your hand when you are done 5 Communicating in a VC Ways to practice Skill Building Visuals Language Participation Practice 5 Communicating in a VCT Summary – Make visuals that are interesting and valuable – Your voice is an important tool, use it – Language will drive your participation. Remember to include people by name and minimize the language of technology – The only way to get people to participate is to get them to participate Using the Tools Using the Tools Feedback Tools • Chat Room – Encourage chat activity – Monitor participant feedback and queries – Respond to everything either vocally or in the chat room Ask and Receive Feedback Testing and Polling • • Using the Tools Whiteboard • Drawing tools include: – Pencil – Eraser – Color – Lines – Rectangle tool – Ellipse tool – Highlighter Plan the exercises Encourage creativity Let it get messy Involve everyone Play games • • • • • Using the Tools Chat Room • Most common usage: – Technical support issues – Content-related questions Provide time boundaries Spelling doesn’t count Be specific about the intended outcome Allow participants to reflect on peer responses Allow private chats • • • • • Using the Tools Application Sharing • • • • Demonstrate software features Small group collaboration One-on-one training Tips: – Know how to use the sharing function – Turn the keyboard over to the learner – Coach towards shortcuts – Don’t demo, teach – Use breakout session Using the Tools Breakout Sessions • • • • • • Breakout groups often need help Utilize CHAT Host/Producer assigns teams Select a breakout leader Get volunteer to go first Instructions verbally and in writing Using the Tools Scenario #1 You need to determine if the class is ready to move on to the next topic. Using the annotation tool , click on the tool you would use. White Board Testing & Breakout Polling Session Ask & Get Yes No Application Chat Room Sharing Feedback Using the Tools Scenario #2 You are concerned that learners are unclear. You want to assess the skill transfer in Advanced PowerPoint. Which tool would you use? White Board Testing & Breakout Polling Session Ask & Get Yes No Application Chat Room Sharing Feedback Using the Tools Scenario #3 You have taught the main principles of Situation Leadership. You now want learners to discuss applying those principles back on the job. Which tool would you use? White Board Testing & Breakout Polling Session Ask & Get Yes No Application Chat Room Sharing Feedback Using the Tools Scenario #4 You must conduct a brainstorming session. Which tool would you use? White Board Testing & Breakout Polling Session Ask & Get Yes No Application Chat Room Sharing Feedback Using the Tools Scenario #5 Learners are very inquisitive throughout the session, however, you must manage time. You can’t keep answering questions on the fly. Which tool would you use? White Board Testing & Breakout Polling Session Ask & Get Yes No Application Chat Room Sharing Feedback Using the Tools Practical Application Exercise #4, Homework Work with your buddy to perform the Technical Checklist. Each person should perform the duties as the Buddy marks the checklist. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Schedule 1 hour conference call with your buddy Take 30 minutes each to complete Practice your checklist skills prior to the meeting Send each other your completed checklists Complete within 30 days Technical Checklist Using The Tools Polling Question Do you agree? I understand the Technical Checklist assignment. I remember whom my buddy is. I will reach out and schedule the session. I will practice prior & make myself available for this meeting. I agree I do not agree Using the Tools Summary – Tools are only useful if used – Improperly administered tools deemphasizes your learning point and refocuses the class on technology – Become expert on: • Whiteboards • Chat Room • Breakout Session • Application Sharing • Getting and Receiving feedback Virtual Classroom Management Classroom Management Managing Time & Schedules – – – – – – Be sensitive to time differences Don’t coddle latecomers Plan to end your virtual class on or before the scheduled end time Schedule more time than you think you will need Ask participants to log on 15 minutes early Check in with the participants Classroom Management Connecting with Participants – – – – – – – Create a contact list Make sure participants have the necessary materials for class Encourage participants to complete any required pre-work Have participants complete a “Tech Check” Teach participants how to learn Provide a technical support number in case of problems Offer virtual office hours Classroom Management Preparing for the Class • Inventory, Open and Assign: – – – – – PowerPoint Slide Presentation Polling Questions Pre-Printed White Board Handouts (File Transfer Box) Assign attendee privileges Classroom Management Using a Leader’s Guide • Use a Leader’s Guide • Have a hard copy on hand Classroom Management Managing Technology • • • You will have technical problems Learn how to use your Virtual Classroom Tool Prepare your workstation – Clear your system memory by rebooting – Close all applications not in use for the training – Set screen resolutions to 1024X768 – Open files that will be needed and/or applications that will be shared. – Arrange windows appropriately Classroom Management Questions Please raise your to volunteer. A. B. C. D. E. If you are properly prepared, you can avoid technical problems in a VCT What is the best way to master Training Center? Unlike ILT, VCT does not require the usage of a Leader’s Guide When should you open documents, handouts, polling questions and white boards? When a participant shows up late for class, should you get them caught up immediately? Classroom Management Summary – Be sensitive and respectful of time and scheduling – Connect with participants – Allow time to truly prepare for the class – Always use some form of a leader’s guide – Something will go wrong with technology. What differentiates an average facilitator from an excellent facilitator is how well you deal with technology hiccups Working with Virtual Participants Participants The Participant Experience • • • Do they have a chance? Will they learn anything? Will their experience be taken seriously? Participants Learning How To Learn On-Line • Teach a 15 minute introduction before class Participants Set Ground Rules • • • • • Turn off email, phones and clear distractions away from your training area Participate. Expect to be called on by name Raise your hand if you have an immediate question or comment Be patient waiting for a response to your chat message If you leave the program, please notify the trainer when you leave and when you return Participants The Effective Learning Environment • • • • • • • • Tell co-workers they will be in a class Post a sign indicating when class will be over Use a headset instead of speakers to minimize workplace disruptions Ignore people around them who are signaling for attention Turn off telephone ringer Turn off pagers and cell phones Turn off email and instant messaging Remove all other tasks and distractions from their desks Participants Participant Guides • • • Ensure the guide is not a PowerPoint deck Don’t replicate screens, compliment them Ask that guides be printed before class Participants Practical Application Exercise #5, Homework You will facilitate a training session called, Writing Objectives for your buddy within the next month, (After Tech Checklist): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Take my presentation, Writing Objectives and make it interactive Involve the learner Create an exercise Add 2 polling questions Deliver to your Buddy in your preferred VCT Tool Setting Objectives Participants Polling Question Do you agree? I understand the Setting Objectives assignment. I remember whom my buddy is. I will reach out to schedule the session I will practice prior & make myself available for this meeting I agree I do not agree Participants Summary – Put yourself in the participants shoes and look at the course from their perspective – Teach them how to behave. They need to know how to communicate and operate in the environment – Set clear ground rules – Ensure participants understand what an effective learning environment looks like – Use participant guides when necessary and constantly refer to it Course Summary Lights, Camera, Action Presenting in Elluminate LIVE Summary Summary Summary Expectations Polling Question If you were asked to facilitate a virtual class now, what would your confidence level be after you complete the post workshop assignments? A. High B. Medium C. Low Summary Course Objectives You should now be able to: – – – – – – List 3 skills a VC trainer must have Define characteristics of a successful virtual trainer Explain the various roles of a virtual class Define 4 ways to communicate with a virtual class Articulate the value of at least 3 tools found in a virtual class Tell us 3 ways to help a participant succeed in a virtual class Thank You! This concludes our session. Please take a moment to complete a short survey to: – – – – Let LINGOs know your opinion on this course Give us an opportunity to improve the course Let us hear your ideas Allow us to learn more about what you need and expect – Completing the survey is greatly appreciated. – gdavis1959@aol.com The On-Line Learning Mastery Series Short Break