Delivering professional development remotely poses a host of new challenges and adjustments even to the most experienced presenters. While the primary focus is on executing an opportunity for growth and learning, one can not deny the anxiety produced from potential technology glitches and the yearning for the live interaction of yesteryear.
Let’s face it, ready or not, change is here, and remote/hybrid learning environments are here to stay. The following are some essential tips on delivering a successful remote experience, which will help teachers adapt quickly to this ‘new normal.’
1. Set the climate
Encourage your learners to create an environment free of distraction to offer ideal conditions for listening and interaction with the presentation. Similarly, when presenting, create a setting free of interruptions, with additional tools for modeling at your disposal. Provide the participants beforehand with any additional materials to view and presentation notes. Set expectations for communications between presenter and learners from the onset and provide an overview of the flow of the course.
2. Invest in the experience
Enthusiasm is contagious! Exude excitement about the opportunity to present to your audience and acknowledge your participants’ time spent with you, especially if the training is outside of a regular workday. A deep understanding of the topic is always necessary to accurately explain complex concepts that you would like your learners to grasp. That being said, we don’t and can’t have all the answers. A humble approach puts all at ease. Have examples and analogies at the ready to expand upon. Creative and colorful visuals charts and graphs enhance the presentation and provide a shared focus. Stay clear of too much text on a slide, and instead present “off the cuff” as much as possible.
3. Encourage group interaction
Break-out rooms offer a way to practice a strategy just modeled, and connect with other learners for a common goal. The regroup offers an opportunity to bring something back to the presenter. Keeping the chat room open is a great way to allow learners to ask a question or make a comment without interrupting the flow of the presentation. One question can even lead to an interactive desired dialogue. Pay attention and reward all contributions! Establish specific guidelines beforehand that learners should be muted unless they have the floor.
4. Encourage curiosity and growth
Invite the educators taking your course to be curious about how the training can impact their students. Offer examples and different scenarios for implementation. Carefully respond to concerns and inquiries and provide on-the-spot problem-solving when possible while encouraging others to provide input.
5. Follow up
Whenever possible, provide continued support, which ensures that the professional development is sustained, and teachers have the confidence to implement a new program or tool. Regroup at a later date for review, development of a plan, and modeling/observation. This can also be facilitated using remote learning technologies and tools like Flipgrid if a “live’’ regroup is not possible.
6. Get that feedback!
A survey sent post-training allows for feedback, which can only allow the presenter to grow and make adjustments. We are all on a journey of learning and growing together.
7. Never stop learning
Da Vinci Collaborative is excited to announce the launch of its new online course catalog, a live and on-demand list of events, and educational presentations that will enable individuals to gain knowledge in the field of Da Vinci Collaborative’s expertise.
The online course catalog offers a variety of trainings and presentations geared towards those in the education, assistive technology, and the mental health fields. Users can participate in live courses, or download pre-recorded courses for an on-demand experience.
Please reach out for further information regarding our courses!
