#ATD2018: Virtual Classroom Facilitation: A License to Thrill!

David Smith, Virtual Gurus, gave a highly informative presentation on how to run a virtual classroom. His mission is to rid the world of dull, boring, and ineffective virtual training. He used an example of James Bond as part of his training. Smith believes you can deliver better instruction virtually them face-to-face. I agree with him.

Throughout the class, he used a tool called slido.com with great results. He used this tool to simulate a virtual training session. He was quite successful. This is definitely a tool that could be used in our ITV classrooms.

Many organizations abuse virtual classrooms. They deliver a program rather than deliver a performance. If you have a great meal you tell your friends. However, if you have a bad meal, you tell the whole world. The same applies to virtual training. We have to raise our game like James Bond.

Smith noted that Bond leveraged the technology that he had. Bond has great technical support. He knows how the tools work. Our instructors need to have the same expertise with their tools.

Virtual Distance

Distance affects the success of virtual events. Smith out about four different distances as they relate to virtual classrooms:

• Physical distance
• Operational distance
• Psychological distance
• Cultural distance

Virtual Guru Competency Model

Learners will multitask if you are boring or a relevant. To prevent this, you need to put into effect the virtual guru competency model. This model has three parts:

• Platform Fluency – Knowing the tool and how to apply the tool.
• Virtual Presence – Delivering engaging performances.
• Event Choreography – Arranging your performance for maximum impact.

Let’s dive into each one of these him more in-depth:

Platform Fluency

Under platform fluency, there is a number of items to master:

• Platform tools – What tools are available? How do they work?
• Platform functionality – You have to be able to apply the tools in a seamless operation. He recommended providing a quick start guide for instructors.
• Deliberate choice – You have to ensure that you choose the right tool for the purpose at hand. This may mean the obvious tool may not be the correct tool; he provided some examples.
• Platform setup – You need to ensure the session is set up correctly. Send out instructions explaining how to connect to the session. These instructions should also explain how to conduct themselves such as muting their microphone.
• Event preparation – You need to ensure that you have a contingency plan and redundant systems. Instructors need to know how to troubleshoot technical issues.

Basically, what does it cost us to get it wrong? Reputation

During this presentation, there were a couple new terms that I learned. One was TOM, which stood for “talking on mute”.

During the session, we also talked about hybrid audiences. Audiences composed of virtual and face-to-face audiences at the same time. Smith recommended that in this situation you initially talk to the virtual audience before you talk to the face-to-face audience. You ensure that you talk all the learners. If the presenter is virtual, he recommends everyone goes to a virtual situation.

Virtual Presence

Within virtual presence, there are a number of important items to master:

• Virtual awareness – These are the key differences between face-to-face and virtual.
• Virtually present – Projecting confidence using the tools.
• Vocally present – Having an engaging voice that changes with pitch and modulation.
• Visually present – Being camera ready. It is important to consider DABL (distance, angle, background, lighting). Webcams can be distracting. You don’t necessarily want it running all the time. If you are conducting a screencast of virtual presentation showing slides, turn off your webcam.
• Audience engagement – This is the use of questions and instructions for the audience.
• Audience interaction – Manage the interaction with the audience.
• Audience empowerment – Direct and support the audience in achieving the event’s purpose.

Event Choreography

Event choreography also has items to master:

• Event storyboard – Create an event storyboard so you can plan what is going to happen through different segments of your video.
• Content design – Make your content visually engaging.
• Session flow – Managing your time during the presentation. Provide enough time to adequately do the activities and get through your content.
• Session test – Test your session beforehand to resolve any troubleshooting issues.
• Activity design – Ensure that your activity works for the environment.

Additional Reading

• Book Review: Content Rules: How to Create Killer Blogs, Podcasts, Videos, Ebooks, Webinars (and More) That Engage Customers and Ignite Your Business
• #ATD2015 Session: Engaging Activities for Live Online Meetings, Webinars, and Virtual Training
• Book Review: The Webinar Manifesto
• #ASTD2013, The Webinar Manifesto: Never Design or Deliver Bad Webinars Again!
• ASTD-NRC Presentation: The Successful Virtual Classroom