While it took a pandemic to kick-start virtual learning across the world, I believe well-executed virtual training will eventually replace in-person sessions. From an estimated 44% reduction in program costs to 600% better knowledge retention, the future of learning and development (L&D) will be virtual.
Learning a new trick can be intimidating, but you don’t need an instructional manual to become a master facilitator on Zoom. (You will, however, need a Zoom Pro, Business, Education or Enterprise account to utilize many of the features below.)
In just a few steps, you’ll be able to boost engagement levels and the overall learning experience in your virtual L&D sessions.
Level-Up Your A/V Skills
Clear audio is the foundation for an effective virtual session, so facilitate your session from a quiet space even if it’s a basement, attic or walk-in closet. To prevent ambient noise, hit the mute button on your Zoom menu bar whenever you’re not actively speaking. Likewise, unmute yourself when you’re ready to speak.
A well-placed microphone also matters: I use a USB microphone that’s as close to my mouth as possible while remaining out of my Zoom frame. Since a microphone that’s too close can distort your voice, consider recording yourself (click the “Host Tools” button on your Zoom menu bar) with the mic at various distances and angles to find the most optimal sound. When you do, mark that spot on your desk or table with an X for future reference.
Try to think of the visual aspect of your virtual sessions as the stage for a panel with a moderator. Like any live event, good lighting and background will keep your audience focused and reduce distractions. An inexpensive ring light or two can bring studio-level lighting to your space and this Zoom tutorial demonstrates how to change your background (skip to 01:00). To see how your lighting and background will appear to learners, launch a new meeting and keep adjusting things until you’re satisfied.
Get Fluent In Features
Make friends with the chat-box button on your Zoom menu bar; it enables you to instantly gauge participant understanding and retention — as well as answer their questions and clear up confusion in real time. In my experience, the chat box resonates equally with introverts and extroverts, so interactivity overall is typically higher in a virtual setting than it is in person. In fact, I recommend allowing private chats between participants because it enables folks to ask questions and share thoughts that they may be too shy to voice otherwise.
Another key feature for instructors is the spotlight, which sets your video frame as the central video for all participants. To spotlight yourself, hover over your video in the participant list, click the three dots (i.e., ellipsis button), and select “Spotlight for Everyone.” (Insider tip: Activating Zoom spotlight requires at least three participants whose cameras are on, so it can only be activated after the session begins.)
Like in-person training sessions, monotony and short attention spans are challenges in virtual settings too. Combat both by deploying the polling feature to encourage feedback and the screen-sharing feature for both variety and to help learners better grasp complex ideas. When pre-planning your virtual training sessions, consider applying these tools after an intense knowledge transfer and when learners appear restless.
Reframe the Breakout Box
Well-directed breakouts are virtual spaces where participants move into small groups for purposeful discussion, collaboration and problem-solving. To begin this activity during your session, click the “Breakout Rooms” button on your Zoom menu bar. I prefer to let Zoom automatically place my attendees into evenly sized groups, but options are available for you to manually assign learners to a room or allow them to self-select.
To keep participants engaged during breakout sessions, give them a challenge or task to complete. Examples of recent challenges I’ve assigned include “design a playground that incorporates elements of risk and exploration” and “complete this Mad Lib about your organization’s vision and mission without consulting the Intranet or Internet.”
Typically, I encourage participants to introduce themselves in the breakout along with their company or organization — and share their proudest accomplishment over the last week. Not only do personal exchanges like this help participants remember each other, research shows it also builds rapport and trust more effectively than a glib introduction.
Final Tips
After you’ve experimented on your own with these tech tools, consider a pilot test before hosting your first virtual L&D session. Lead the session over Zoom with a friend or colleague to boost your comfortability around polling and breakout rooms, as well as lighting and background. The more familiar you are, the more confident you’ll feel. And speaking of confidence, no matter how many hundreds of times you lead a virtual training, always test your audio and video well ahead of your session in case troubleshooting or an app update is necessary.
Armed with these pro tips, Zoom can become your secret weapon instead of a blind spot.
