Advanced strategies to create engaging online experiences

 Advanced strategies to create engaging online experiences

By Kenneth Kwan

ADVANCED STRATEGIES TO CREATE ENGAGING ONLINE LEARNING EXPERIENCES SUMMARY SHEET 

Introduction template for your program:

1. Welcome the audience to (Name of the program and introduce yourself as host).

2. Ask them to turn ON their camera. People pay more attention when they do it.

3. Share with the audience why this program is important

4. Give a brief introduction of the guest speaker.

5. Remind the audience how much time you have together.

6. Let them know when you are responding questions and where to leave them.

7. (Optional) Run through with the audience how to use the online platform. 

Engagement Strategies

1. Using slides - If you are using slides for a long period of time, ask participants to modify their screen to use side by side presentation mode. In Zoom it is “View Options” - “Side by side presentation” - Use “Annotations” in Zoom to get people to vote or draw on the screen.

2. Use the online tool: Mentimeter to create interactive presentations, polls and word clouds.

3. Teach people how to respond to you, this can be done early in the presentation - Physical way: Use Heart and ? picture - Physical way: Waving fingers - Use the chat function: o If you heard something you like or learnt, type in the chat. o Agree or Disagree (A) or (D) or just type (1) or (2) - Use Reactions button at bottom of screen (In Zoom)

4. Connect with your audience by looking straight into the camera, not the screen. If you are not used to it, just paste a sticker, pointing to your camera and say “Look here!”

5. To facilitate smaller group discussions, use breakout zooms (in Zoom). - It is important to facilitate small group discussions for intimate sharing, get to know each other or even process what you have taught them (important).

6. Change your Name - You can ask participants to change their name by mousing over their picture, click on the “3 dots” and click “Rename” (in Zoom). - Perhaps you can insert an adjective that describes you, eg Knowledgeable Kenneth.

7. Use Kahoot to create competitive time-based quizzes. My personal favourite. 

Equipment and set up

1. Sound- Ensure that you have a good microphone. Remember, the sound is more important than video.

2. Lighting- Avoid light coming from your back. Ensure that light faces you. - If you wear spectacles, ensure that the light source is angled down to prevent reflection. - If you want to remove the shadows behind you, you might need 2-3 light sources (2 in front and one at side shining at the wall behind your back). - Consider getting LED lights. I personally use LED lights that are the size of an A4 paper and are placed 1 metre away from me.

3. Use greenscreen for creative presentations. You can also use a green cloth or blanket. Just ensure that there are no creases on it and that there is even lighting on it.

4. Use Virtual background - You can tell stories using virtual background or conduct presentations using your slides as background. Reminder: Ensure that you are not covering the main points of your slide. About Kenneth Kwan: Kenneth Kwan is an Author, Global Leadership Speaker, who has trained and spoken to over tens of thousands of professionals in about developing a success-oriented mindset and what is required to lead sustainable change. He has helped Multi-National Companies (MNCs) and Government clients shift employee mindsets to help them create proactive and high-performance cultures. He specialises in moving people from being problem-focused to solution focused. He also delivers keynotes at conferences and conducts strategic planning retreats with senior management teams to help them identify clear measurable and action steps in their planning process. Organisations who work with Kenneth say that they have increased staff motivation, optimism and a sense of individual ownership. He is also a published author and his book "Small Steps To Big Changes" is a result of more than a decade of work with clients. It is used in lectures and training programs around the region. For more information of what we do, check out Deep Impact. Connect with Kenneth Kwan on Social Media