Where Rubber Meets Road is my way of bringing some of the practical experiences I’ve observed with clients to bear on the theory of transitioning our successful face to face events to the virtual world. My last post talked about one client’s experience converting their two day workshop to a virtual event. Here are some of the traps they almost fell into along the way.
Trap #1: Starting with the technology.
Thinking about what technology tools support our virtual workshop should be the last step in our planning. Coming from a F2F workshop environment, we are likely not familiar with online technology, so considering this at the start of the planning process will only limit our thinking. Start with what we know – good group process. Pick the technology to match the requirements of the group, the process and the learning objectives.
Trap #2: Starting with “What can’t we do in the virtual model?”
Just like the proverbial glass half empty, looking at our project this way tends to be filtered by our current knowledge and assumptions about technology possibilities and capabilities. It’s better to start with what we want to accomplish. We can always reset our expectations later if we have to. We have developed effective learning content in our F2F workshop; let’s being with this and then consider what is no longer relevant or necessary in the virtual model.
Trap #3: Assuming that face-to-face is the only way to create an intimate and trustworthy connection within the group.
One of the common F2F techniques for building trust within a group is to invite participants to share their experiences in small groups. We can create this shared experience for a virtual group by building time into our virtual workshop agenda for an activity that allows people to reflect on a theme from their own experience.
There is a corollary to this trap: while it is very possible to build in virtual experiences that bring people together and create a trusting connection, we can’t assume that we have a trustworthy setting without working to create it and checking that it is real.
Trap #4: Assuming that all work is done at the same time.
Most virtual events are designed this way, but this assumption ignores the opportunity to leverage an advantage that virtual settings have over F2F. There are certain activities that are more effectively done before or after the real time group session in order to maximize learning outcomes. For example, pre-work (reading background materials or slide presentations), assessing participants’ existing knowledge level on the topic, or getting the group introduced to one another are all activities that, if done ahead of time, allow the workshop to get off to a fast start. Technology actually lets us take advantage of this opportunity in a way that F2F could not.
Trap #5: Forgetting to keep it simple.
Just because we are now working in a virtual setting doesn’t mean that many simple low-tech options don’t still apply. Many of the activities we have at our disposal, such as having a small group pre-work conference call, writing a journal, forming reading groups, etc.) are low tech or no tech solutions.
Trap # 6: Waiting until your first virtual meeting to try out your technology.
Just as we did with flip charts and sticky walls, we need to become familiar with and expert at the tools we use. We need be completely familiar with the technology we plan to use. Once way to do this is to find opportunities to use the same technology tools to support our own workshop design process. Doing a complete run-through before your first online workshop is also an obvious, yet often neglected step in the planning process.
It’s said that we learn best from our mistakes, but thinking through possible pitfalls ahead of time is also an effective, and certainly less anxiety-producing way to acquire new skills.
For those who are interested in exploring this further, we have some openings in our December webinars “Designing Interactive Webinars“. Click to find out more and register for this free event.
posted by Julia Young
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11:12
Working in the “Virtual Online World” is like working in another culture. It has its own standards and norms and interpersonal communications. It helps when designing and delivering virtual presentations to keep in mind that even for a homogeneous audience working in the virtual realm requires adaptation to the new environment.
I have presented on this at a couple of international conferences.
15:38
At Virtual Connection we design and facilitate a lot of virtual meetings and workshops. The question we pose at the beginning of the design process is: What is the purpose of this meeting/workshop? What is the outcome we want to achieve? What benefit is this workshop for participants? We then create the design, not letting the technology hamper us. We then figure out how to achieve our goals with the technology. For example, we create breakout rooms using different phone lines, we have team building exercises if we are working with an intact team or if networking is one of the goals of the workshop. Don’t let technology be a barrier. Think creatively and you’ll be able to have a participatory/interactive experience. Once you have a design, choose a technology tool that will support your goals.
Barb
BMiller@VirtualConnection.biz
05:09
Having taught a couple of week long classes to students all around the globe, and training instructors, I would add a possible item: Don’t make the mistake of not adding an extra layer of time for virtual delivery! Get a technical facilitator for the tool, review whatever you are doing in light of delivery via this channel, rework materials, allow extra time to ensure participation — it just takes more time for the facilitator but you can have sessions and results done no other way!