You're leading a virtual training session. How can you keep participants actively engaged?

A human whether attending online or offline training sessions, must be engaged with activities. Here are key points that help online sessions to become more engaging. 1. Set the show before starting the session. This includes ice breakers, warm ups, stories, fun activities to set the background. 2. Ask them to speak in between and listen more. 3. Use variety of content (Presentation, videos, memes, graphics etc) to make more engaging. 4. Use online polls, Q/A to develop a better understanding. 5. Conclude with an impact.

📌 Here are three small points: 🎯Interactive Icebreakers: •Start with a fun and engaging icebreaker activity to make participants comfortable & build rapport. • Eg. include asking a unique question for everyone to answer, a quick round of introductions with a fun fact or a virtual poll on a light topic. 🎯Set Clear Expectations & Objectives: • Clearly outline the goals & agenda of the training session at the beginning. • Explain what participants will gain from the session & how it will be relevant to their roles. 🎯Utilize Polls & Quizzes: • Incorporate quick polls or quizzes related to the session’s content early on to capture participants’ attention. • This encourages active participation and helps gauge their existing knowledge.

Start with a surprise element, such as a guest speaker or a live demonstration, to capture attention right from the beginning. For instance, if the training is on customer service, invite a satisfied customer to share a positive experience. This unexpected twist can pique interest and set a positive tone for the session.

Engage Early for Maximum Impact Before the live session, send participants an anonymous form with questions that prompt them to reflect on their personal circumstances. This approach will pique their curiosity and motivate attendance. Address the pre-session questions early, ensuring attendees feel valued and engaged. Use polls, quick quizzes, or storytelling to further draw them in, tailoring the session based on their responses to maintain high engagement throughout.

Incorporate augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) components if feasible. For example, using VR headsets to simulate real-world scenarios can provide immersive learning experiences that go beyond traditional slides or videos. This can significantly enhance engagement and retention.

Dans mes sessions de formation, je m’attache à poser des questions en interaction mais surtout à proposer des pratiques communes où chacun a ensuite un temps de retour d’expérience. Le retour d’expérience s’attache au ressenti et non pas juste à un retour factuel d’analyse, afin de valider le vécu et encourager à vivre vraiment les choses, plutôt que seulement comprendre.

Interactive groups are as important as the teambuilding process, especially since participants often do not know each other. Getting to know one another helps create a cohesive team where everyone is interested in listening to and respecting others. This results in a higher level of motivation to attend the session.

Introduce microlearning segments, which are short, focused bursts of content followed by quick activities or discussions. This method helps in keeping the session lively and allows participants to absorb information in manageable chunks, preventing cognitive overload.

-Segmented Content: Break the session into smaller segments with varying activities to maintain interest and prevent fatigue. -Active Learning: Alternate between lectures, discussions, and hands-on activities to keep the pace dynamic and engaging.

Of the hundreds of trainings I've attended, the ones that remain memorable are those where trainers spoke from their own experiences. We have much to learn from them, such as understanding and avoiding the mistakes others have made.

All seven components are crucial for keeping participants engaged during a virtual training program, but they must be balanced appropriately and tailored to the audience. Virtual training is more challenging than in-person training, with a higher risk of losing participants' engagement and motivation.