How can you avoid the training dump and run?

During that face-to-face training it all seems so easy. The presenter makes sense, the presentation makes sense, this is something you can do. But then, you go home and the real world converges. It's not as easy, where's that presenter now?

As a trainer and a trainee, I can relate. But it's not feasible for the trainer to visit me on site, is it? or isn't it? Why can't I get in the minute support? In this day of 24/7 internet access I think it is possible. But it does take planning, forethought and support.

Discussion Groups

One way to keep the conversation going, is to create an online discussion group.There are a variety of social media platforms that can be used for this purpose:

Facebook

Using the Groups option, you can create an open or closed discussion group. You can make it hidden, so only folks sent a link can find the group, or make posting only open to invitees but the posts viewable by anyone. Or you can leave the group completely open, anyone can see the group and post to it. 

LinkedIn 

If you are looking for a more professional space, LInkedIn is another useful site to use. Like Facebook, LinkedIn allows users to create discussion groups that can be either open or closed.  

Before You Start

It is important to identify your potential audience, develop a disclaimer and some guidelines. It is important to remind users not to refer to specific people--and to remember that if they are from a small community even a general description might be too specific.

Webinars

I have used a few different webinar hosting services. GoToMeeting, Adobe Connect, Elluminate and  Blackboard Collaborate. Each has it's own little quirks. For instance, I must use Mozilla Firefox if I'm presenting using Adobe Connect.  While Blackboard Collaborate runs much better using Google Chrome.

Getting Ready

A good Webinar requires great content. It does need to be both visually and orally interesting. For the last few years I have been either creating my own images or purchasing stock photos--though this can get expensive!  I do like to find stock photos that I can use for more than one presentation. The latest versions of most of the webinar hosting sites have gotten hip to the fact that it is nice for the presenter to be able to see their notes during their presentation--now if only Microsoft can do the same for regular Powerpoint presentations--rather than forcing every presenter to print out a copy of their presentation!

Is That a Belt AND Suspenders You Are Wearing?

Technology is not always reliable. It's true!  And one doesn't want to be standing in front of 200 people with their pants around their ankles. I generally have two computers up and ready to go--so that I can switch from one to the other if something crazy happens. I run a 5G internet network in my home--which means my WiFi can handle  running 3 computers, Netflix and a PS3  game all at the same time. However, I probably need to use my Ethernet cable if I want to present a YouTube video during a webinar with 50 participants. 

Practice, Practice and Then Practice Some More

I do multiple run throughs with my presentations. My assistant sits with a copy of my notes page, and listens while I do my practice sessions. She makes notes for me one areas, where I might get questions from the audience, or where I might not be expressing myself clearly. I also take advantage of run throughs with the webinar hosting services. When you don't use the same webinar platform for every presentation, it is important to do a quick overview, run the tests to insure that the computer being used for the presentation (and the extra computer) have the current version of Java and any add-ons from the webinar platform.

Making your PowerPoint Presentation Interesting

People say they hate PowerPoint presentations. This is not news. Nor is it news that what they really hate are uninteresting PowerPoint presentations. You know the one's that rely on the standard PowerPoint template and only use the bullet point outlines to organize their presentation.

How Does One Improve their PowerPoint Presentation?

First, buy some books and attend some trainings (F2F or IRL) on how to make your PowerPoint slides more interesting. Check out some simple graphic design books too! One of the best tips I found was to create your own photos and clipart. When you are using your own images you don't have to worry about copyright infringement or your participants connecting your images to some other text in their heads.  For example, recently I was working on revising a presentation that discussed special education teams. The photos for the slides looked like this:

I'm concerned that this may result in some cognitive dissonance. As a curriculum designer and presenter I know that my participants are learning new vocabulary and trying to shift their thinking on certain preconceived notions. Thus I don't want cutesy pictures either. I want to be mindful that a picture of a boys baseball team might make people think of winning--there is no "winning" in special education, teams aren't competing, they are working collaboratively, no one team member is more important than another.  I also don't want families to think, "my child will never play on a team like this."  I don't think this is over-thinking things, you may however, disagree.  I'm thinking I may have to get a few friends together, hand out some photo disclosure forms and snap a few pictures.

Pictures Don't Tell the Whole Story

Great design won't make the whole presentation (though it does help). One also needs to know the material and engage the audience. It is important to insure that your intent and your audience's expectations match. If your audience is expecting to share their knowledge, you had better have space in your agenda to let them share their wealth. It is also important to know how to moderate and facilitate the discussion so that one participant doesn't monopolize the conversation. You want your participants to leave your session just like they would leave a great restaurant:  satisfied, yet still wanting more. Rather than handing out doggy bags you can indicate that participants can talk to you after the session if they need more information.