How can you use technology to facilitate learning in a large group setting?

1 Choose the right technology

The first step to use technology to facilitate learning in a large group setting is to choose the right technology for your purpose, audience, and context. You need to consider what kind of learning objectives you have, what kind of activities you want to do, what kind of feedback you want to get, and what kind of resources and constraints you have. For example, if you want to do a brainstorming session, you might use an online whiteboard or a mind mapping tool. If you want to do a quiz or a survey, you might use an online polling or a gamification tool. If you want to do a discussion or a debate, you might use an online chat or a video conferencing tool.

2 Prepare your technology

The second step to use technology to facilitate learning in a large group setting is to prepare your technology in advance and test it before the session. You need to make sure that your technology works well, that you know how to use it, and that your participants know how to access it and use it. You also need to have a backup plan in case of technical issues or glitches. For example, you might have alternative links, devices, or platforms ready. You might also have offline or low-tech options available, such as paper, pens, or flipcharts.

4 Use technology to assess learning outcomes

The fourth step to use technology to facilitate learning in a large group setting is to measure how well your participants have achieved the learning objectives and provide feedback. To do this, you might use technology such as a dashboard, leaderboard, progress bar, quiz, survey, rubric, report, chart, graph, comment, badge, or certificate. These tools can help you monitor progress and performance, collect evidence and data, analyze and interpret results, as well as communicate and share feedback in a timely, specific, and constructive manner.

5 Evaluate your technology use

The fifth step to use technology to facilitate learning in a large group setting is to evaluate your technology use and improve your practice. To do this, you should reflect on how well your technology has supported your facilitation and participants' learning, and identify the strengths and weaknesses of your technology use. Moreover, it is beneficial to seek feedback from your participants, peers, or supervisors, and use it to inform future decisions and actions. For instance, you could conduct a self-evaluation with a checklist, journal, or video recording; solicit feedback from participants with a rating, testimonial, or suggestion box; exchange feedback with peers or supervisors through a forum, chat, or video call; and implement changes and innovations with a plan, prototype, or pilot.

6 Be aware of the benefits and challenges of technology use

When using technology to facilitate learning in a large group setting, it is important to be aware of the benefits and challenges of technology use, and how to overcome them. Technology can enhance accessibility and flexibility, increase engagement and motivation, improve efficiency and effectiveness, and foster collaboration and innovation. However, it can also create technical and logistical issues, cause cognitive and emotional overload, reduce social and emotional presence, and raise ethical and legal concerns. To overcome these challenges, you should plan and prepare your technology use carefully, balance and moderate it wisely, humanize and personalize it sensitively, and respect and follow the ethical and legal guidelines responsibly.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?