Reflections from the group:
“In future sessions, I believe that I would utilise more slides with graphics to embrace learners with a preference for visual stimulation as this was lacking. I need to allow more preparation time to ensure I have all my resources prepared in plenty of time.”
“The other area I would change were the activities, although they were planned in my session, they may be better placed at more frequent intervals throughout the session. The seven minute rule for concentration appears to be less with the online environment, with the need to keep the learners more engaged through activities.”
“The lack of time was my biggest challenge and my delivery was hurried towards the end because I had run out time. Should I be running this session again I would spend more time on ensuring the session runs to time and it may be necessary to cut some of the information out or extend the proposed session length. Limiting the discussion between participants would also assist in running to time and this is something I would do differently next time. The facilitator needs to be strong and ensure the participants are kept on task.”
“Preparing and presenting to another person, who has subject knowledge, was invaluable. The finished presentation flowed much better than the first draft(s). In hindsight I can see how a training package would go thru an evolution of about 5 iterations before it could be classed as ‘finished’.
What could have gone well? The animation of the slide presentation would have ‘made the presentation’. Instead it failed because I did not research the limitations of the webinar software. I have learned a valuable lesson here!!”
“I found that havening visual aids prepared worked well and enhanced the flow of the presentation. I think I would have come across disorganised if I had not been able to keep most of the participants engage and having “props” helps me be less nervous.
I found I learnt more about how to engage learners from watching the presentations of the other participants as I could concentrate on what work and did not work for them.”
“What I would do differently is practice the timing of the session beforehand, which I did not think to do this time, I put the clock on but did not know how to set the time. I would ensure I knew everyone’s name as one of the log on names only has an initial and when I went to call on them I did not know their first name. I would ask participants to put their names against their comments so I could call on them by name rather than “who wrote xxx””
“Once one the participants started writing responses on the whiteboard others joined in. Discussion around some of the selected responses was good with a number of people joining in the conversation and expanding thus giving further insight to the topic. This also gives a sense of ownership and acceptance to the individuals.
I think that next time I could possibly have columns on the whiteboard and group similar responses in column with relevant headings. Prepare a slide/s for participants as a visual cue with key points for discussion and have the question written for them to see during the brainstorming. “
“Next time?- If using video, send it out for learners to watch prior to webinar-Have a plan ‘B’ prepared when using technology that is prone to problems-Practice more with the functions of the webinar program, including websurf.”
“The research formed the basis of my session, and the fact that I was researching learning theory and design models impacting on how I presented. Originally I thought of presenting the information, then getting them to do an activity until I read more and decided the best way maybe to promote interactive learning where I am the facilitator and the learners engage in their own learning.”
“The activities worked well and getting the participants to do interact was great…… the delegating of the roles works well eg Patty opened, then Mark etc.”
“What I would change next time? Not to be so ambitious with the lesson plan, until I’m more comfortable with the software which I’m to use. With regards the feedback I would communicate directly with colleagues be that by e-mail or phone because survey or asking others to give feedback time consuming and unreliable.”
