5 Ways to Engage Learners In A Virtual Space – Contributed by Nicole Fleming
(Blog post contributed by TBR-VE® and TCC Certifier Nicole Fleming): If virtual sessions have taught us anything in the past four years, it’s that paying attention to someone lecturing or talking on a computer screen is more challenging than doing so when the speaker is physically present. So how do trainers and teachers make their virtual classes more engaging?
1. Use a “Graphic Organizer.”
One effective method to involve learners is by encouraging them to use a graphic organizer. Direct learners to have a blank piece of paper and a pen or pencil ready at hand. As you cover important points, pause and encourage them to write and/or draw the most important concepts. Their drawings can be representational shapes, lines, or images. This not only helps learners remember important points, but it also makes the class more interactive and personal.
2. Collaborate on a Digital Whiteboard.
In longer virtual sessions, maintaining engagement can be challenging. Using a digital whiteboard can transform these sessions into collaborative learning environments. Tools like Jamboard or Miro allow learners to complete card sort activities, brainstorm, and add their thoughts and questions to the board in real-time. This active participation fosters a sense of community and keeps everyone involved.
The “chat box” is a powerful tool in virtual learning. One activity that engages all learners is a “Chat Storm.” Direct learners to write their most important takeaways from the session so far in the chat box but not to press the “enter” key until you give a signal to do so. This creates a “storm” of responses all at once, ensuring that no one is influenced by other answers and allowing for a spontaneous and rich discussion.
4. Try an Active Myth or Fact Game.
To inject some physical activity into your virtual sessions, try the “Myth or Fact Game.” Read topic-related statements that are either myths or facts and ask learners to move to the left if they think it’s a myth and to the right if they think it’s a fact. You can get creative with this and have learners perform other fun movements (examples: stand up/sit down, lean forward/back, stretch up/down). This can be done with cameras on to check for understanding or with cameras off for a quick review, followed by a short explanation of the answers to reinforce the content.
A data hunt is a fantastic way to encourage active learning in a virtual class. Before the class begins, provide your learners with a digital list of words, concepts, or questions related to the class topic. During the virtual class, give learners “Data Hunt” breaks in which they search for definitions, answers, or images that represent key concepts they learned. Using the internet or available resources, learners can actively engage with the material and reinforce their understanding through research and discovery.
Integrating these strategies can significantly enhance any virtual learning experience. By using graphic organizers, digital whiteboards, chat box activities, interactive games, and data hunts, you can create a more dynamic, engaging, and effective learning environment.
Remember, the key to successful virtual learning is learner interaction and involvement. By keeping your learners actively engaged, they will not only retain more information, but they will also increase their own enjoyment of the learning process.
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About the Author:
Nicole Fleming is the co-founder of Fleming Services LLC, based in Kentucky, USA. She is also a TBR-VE® Certifier and one of two global Trainer Certification Course (TCC) Certifiers. An experienced trainer, Nicole applies her own unique perspective and approach to every training program she facilitates.
For questions about the TBR Practitioner Classes or how to become a TBR Certified Trainer, email Nicole at [email protected]. And be sure to view her other informative posts on LinkedIn.