You're leading a virtual facilitation meeting. How can you engage all attendees for active participation?

Set expectations for participation by having people interact immediately. It can be informal. For example, as people arrive at a session, have them add something to the chat. It sets the tone of interaction which we can reinforce verbally later. The bonus is that we can dress up as praise by highlighting that they've already done it!

Here are few inputs I like to give on this topic: 1. As a light hearted sessions harm no body introducing interactive fun activities in between can really make attendees feel more responsible during the session. 2. Having question/answer sessions in between can also add value to the session.

Set expectations before people arrive. However good a session is, if participants are expecting something else it often won't sit well with them. Include in your invitation information on how you'll be working together, and for what purpose.

A check-in ritual can help folks switch into the meeting mode. Give folks a minute to write down any thought or task that might be lingering as they join the meeting or to close tabs. Have them set it aside so they can return to it later. Then, signal the shift by having folks “check-in.” This can be as simple as adjusting their seat or setting an intention for the call.

Virtual facilitation meetings are not the right environment to engage all attendees for active participation. Only face to face will ensure full engagement.

Having folks write down a fun fact about themselves that colleagues wouldn’t know at the start of the event and then pulling them out throughout so people can guess who it’s about creates engagement, friendly competition and allows the person to share about their experience or ‘fun fact”. All of this creates bonding and infuses energy into the room.

Using an icebreaker game that involves platform emojis or gestures could be a way to introduce people to the platform (people new to an online learning/teaching platform) and encourage them to use theses icons more during the session. A game such as describe your favourite movie/song using emojis only are two suggestions.

Icebreakers and Hook Statements: Effective communication in the training setup begins with icebreakers, the tools that initiate interaction and build rapport. Yet, sustaining attention requires more; it demands the use of hook statements. Hook statements are the magnetic phrases that capture and maintain your audience’s focus. They are the sparks that keep the conversational fire alive, ensuring that participants’ interest doesn’t fade. Example of a Hook Statement: Envision transforming every challenge into a steppingstone. That’s the journey we’re embarking on today.

Achei útil a utiliza??o de emojis na dinamica quebra gelo. Acredito que conduzir a reuni?o de facilita??o virtual com mais atividades envolvendo esses emojis, tornam o aprendizado muito mais eficaz e envolvente

Keeping Participants Focused Distraction is a common occurrence in meetings and training sessions. As a facilitator, it’s crucial to employ strategies that keep participants engaged and focused on the topic. Incorporating Technology for Interaction: use of real-time reactions. Encourage participants to express their thoughts with emojis as you discuss the topic. A “thumbs up” or a “clap” can go a long way in keeping the energy high and the attention sharp. Quick Tip: Use emoji reactions to create an interactive atmosphere that keeps participants connected to the discussion. This simple yet effective technique ensures that participants remain on track and contributes to a more dynamic and interactive session.

Use two computer screens so that you can see everybody on the screen while you're presenting material on another screen use people's names and look at the participants and make sure that you encourage and engage everyone on that list to participate even though those that are off camera

Algumas plataformas de reuni?o, como o microsoft teams, permite que o apresentador acompanhe a tela de apresenta??o e ao mesmo tempo, os participantes. é possível incentivar o diálogo com perguntas abertas sobre o assunto e atividades dividindo os participantes em grupos.

Boosting engagement in virtual meetings is a common challenge for managers. To combat disconnection, delegate tasks and roles before and during meetings. Assign leadership positions, timekeeping duties, and note-taking responsibilities. Encourage participants to shape the agenda and lead discussions on their suggested topics. Rotate these roles regularly to keep everyone alert and involved. This approach not only fosters active participation but also reveals employees' soft skills. Consider incorporating interactive elements like games, with attendees keeping score. By promoting active involvement and maintaining brevity, you can transform passive virtual gatherings into dynamic, productive sessions.

Giving participants roles during a virtual meeting is an excellent way of keeping their participation high up as they have to own up to assigned responsibilities and it makes the whole process involving for all participants

Concordo que devemos distribuir tarefas entre os participantes, delegar responsabilidades e também, fazer atividades em que todos possam contribuir de alguma forma. Gosto de tornar as reuni?es bem interativas e com perguntas do cotidiano do grupo, para incentivar as trocas construtivas

It's important to not disregard people being present and listening as a form of participation! Some people may not feel comfortable in speaking or contributing in this group environment, or it may take them longer to reflect on information before they feel able to contribute effectively. Acknowledge that and invite the ongoing dialogue in follow-up opportunities.

Every five minutes, incorporate a space for audience engagement. This could be a poll, a breakout room session, or a 'raise your hand if...' question. Pausing for Q&A counts. One of my favorites is to open a whiteboard, draw a line, and have attendees rank an issue. Instant data! Instant engagement! Everyone gets a sense of the room in minutes.