Monday, November 17, 2008
1:30 PM-5:00 PM
Abstract:
This tutorial focuses on the most important tool in the virtual classroom, the facilitator, and takes an engaging and collaborative approach to developing skills needed to be successful in a virtual environment. Participants will experience a highly interactive session as we delve into Team Teaching approaches, elements of successful online presentations, and the key tools in a Virtual Facilitator’s tool belt. Numerous organizations have implemented Virtual Classroom solutions with great success; however, it appears many have put an emphasis on the technology used rather than those delivering the content. The long term success of the Virtual Classroom is dependent upon a facilitation team who is talented, well trained, equipped and supported. As with the traditional classroom, there are varied techniques which lead to successful content delivery in a virtual environment. We will share what we have learned and offer suggestions to make the most out of your online learning strategy.
Objectives:
Having attended numerous e-learning conferences and years of experience in the Virtual Classroom, we find there is always something missing from many conference offerings: meaningful sessions designed to help classroom instructors take the leap to online facilitation. During this tutorial we plan to share with E-Learn 2008 participants the thrill of training in a virtual environment.
Objectives:
Demonstrate and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the Team Teaching Approach to increase learner engagement
Explore the elements of a successful online presentation
Discover the characteristics of an engaging Virtual Instructor
Discuss the importance of ongoing facilitator coaching and feedback loops
Outline:
Cultivating the Online Facilitator in You – Topical Outline
Demonstrate and discuss the Team Teaching approach
• Demonstration and Explanation of team teaching approach: Three styles – Tag Team, Student Advocate, Morning Drive
o Group discussion – How can team teaching be utilized in your organization? What barriers do you see?
Explore the elements of a successful online presentation
• Introductions
o Discuss why intro’s are important – they set the tone for the entire class
• Transitions
o Demonstrate content without transitions and then content with good transitions
o Discuss importance of transitions
• Building interaction with quizzes, live websites, q&a sessions
o Group discussion – What tools do you use in your online classes to build interaction? OR – What tools do you use in the traditional classroom to build interaction?
Discover the characteristics of an engaging virtual instructor
• Demonstrate different tones/body language/energy levels
o Group discussion – What characteristics make you want to listen to an online instructor?
• Voice quality/tone – importance of voice since participants can’t see live instructor
• Energy level – use to convey excitement/interest in the topic
• Body language – helps instructor stay relaxed and engaged
Discuss the importance of ongoing facilitator and feedback loops
• Giving feedback
o Discuss importance of open, honest feedback, designed to enhance performance
• Receiving feedback
o Must want to receive feedback in order to improve. Must be open to honest feedback. Good classroom facilitator does not equal good virtual facilitator.
• Demonstrate short presentation
o Group discussion – Group gives feedback to virtual instructors – what was good, what could be improved
• Facilitator mentoring – important to help new facilitators adapt to environment and buy-in to the concept of quality virtual sessions.
• Practice – importance of practice sessions to get new facilitators and subject matter experts comfortable in virtual environment
Prerequisites:
Intended audience:
Participants should have a basic understanding of the concept of a virtual class; however, no prior experience is required.
Intended Experience Level:
Beginner
Instructor Qualifications:
Instructor Qualifications: Each instructor has 3 or more years of experience facilitating virtual classes for a large Fortune 500 company and reached over 26,500 participants during 329 sessions in 2007. Class sizes ranged from 50 - 120 participants per session. We have a high adoption rate amongst learners in our organization, with 90+% favorable feedback on all class evaluations. We have collaborated with other companies to deliver content and assist in the establishment of the virtual classroom in their organization and have experience in presenting at international training conferences; Learning 2006 Conference in Orlando, Florida. Additionally, through the delivery of Virtual Facilitation Boot Camps we have gained extensive knowledge and experience in the development and coaching of new facilitators and converting classroom trainers into online facilitators.