W2 Reflection: Engaging Webinars

This week I attended a free Adobe Connect webinar entitled: Blahto Aha! Engaging Learners in the Virtual Classroom and it was awesome!

The facilitator was Cynthia Clay, president and CEO of NetSpeed Learning, who has over 25 years in managing and development.

Usually when I'm "attending" webinars, I'm checking my email, I'm updating my Facebook status, I'm clicking around on Pinterest. But not today. For 60 minutes, I was actively listening and participating in the discussion.


I think this seminar would be VERY useful for anyone who designs or facilitates professional development trainings/workshops/seminars via Adobe Connect (or similar platform). First, Clay introduces the three deadly mistakes for "blah" online learning experiences and then outlines give practices to engage the student. Then, she delivers a content based example of how to actually apply the principles being taught. And, what I liked the most is that she actually taught the seminar using the principles that she was teaching (in my experience that is a pretty rare thing unfortunately).

If I had to give a one sentence summary of her plan, it would be: Introduce a concept, then ask the learners to respond to it, and then build a dialogue based on their input.

Those concepts seem simple enough, but the majority of online learning situations I've experienced have been more like lectures than dialogues.

Throughout the webinar, the speaker introduces tips and tools for leading a webinar in Adobe Connect  (which all faculty at IU have access to) that is engaging, instead of just a real time online lecture where the participants spend the majority of their time checking email and playing on Facebook.

Overall: A+

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Major points of the presentation:

Three deadly mistakes for blah learning experiences

1. Failing to capitalize on the visual medium. (Use your pointers, engaging slides/graphics. But it is a fine line, be careful not to use too much, which would take away from your presentation.)
   
2. Not engaging learners in the discussion (designers AND facilitators need to think about this…make it vitally important that the learner participate… LEARNERS LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE!)
   
3. Lecturing until the cows come home.

Five discovery learning practices

What is discovery learning: inquiry-based learning (both to and from the learner) that allow the learner to discover; learning by doing.

Types of Discovery Learning

1. Guided discovery
2. Observation and reflection
3. Problem solving
4. Simulation-based
5. Case studies

The Discovery Process

1. Prepare the learner with information
2. Ask questions to encourage reflection
   
3. Provide examples and models
   
4. Demonstrate, if applicable
   
5. Offer a case or identify a problem
   
6. Allow peers to collaborate and problem solve
   
7. Debrief to elicit connections and relationships
   
8. Plan for application
   

Design Strategies for engaging webinars:

• Bring up a new idea, then ask a question (using emoticon/status icons)
• Ask a question, the open a chat window for discussion. Take the time to discuss some of the people’s answers. Then go over the question, using people’s responses as a guide for a conversation.
  
• Show a video. Open a chat window and ask them to respond either during or after. Again, go over responses (use names when possible) (IF YOU SHOW A VIDEO, GIVE THEM AN ASSIGNMENT FIRST…so they don’t use that opportunity to go and get a coffee or take a break)
  
• Give an audio example. Give an assignment. Open a chat window for discussion. Again, go over responses (as described above).
  
• Action: Write out a stem sentence and ask them to complete the thought/idea/sentence
  
• Assign learners to lead short sections (must be coordinated ahead of time)
  
• If working with a large group, hide the Q&A chat window so that participants can’t see questions (it’s distracting to the other learners). Allow your co-host to manage them out for you.
  

USE YOUR TOOLS! Adobe Connect tools Clay used throughout her webinar: arrow, live poll, chat discussion windows (split up by birthdate for large groups), emoticon/status icons (under raised hand), video/audio, and annotation tools.  Don’t over use any tool! Mix it up and diversify.

Hint: you can put your cursor in the chat window and ctrl-a to copy the chat and copy and paste it to save for later (even when watching the recorded version). Great for brainstorming sessions.

Facilitator Strategies: 

• use people’s names whenever possible.
• Use a dynamic voice (you can use a script, but don’t be monotone or sing-songy as you)
  
• Especially in large group situations, have a host that will help manage the incoming chat messages.

Q: what if you have a chat window, but people don’t really write much?
A. It tells me that you didn’t warm them up first. Start with a yes/no questions and/or a poll, to ease them in to contributing and using the interaction tools. And make sure to read their responses and use their names so that they really feel like you are paying attention to them. The best way to undermine interactivity is to talk for too long without engaging.

Q: Chat or talk?
A. It really depends on the size. For a typical class-size seminar, use both in combination. Use chat to probe the learners for discussion.