11Oct 2022 by Katrina Kennedy No Comments
Things I’ve Learned In The Last Two Years (or so)

Things I’ve Learned In The Last Two Years (or so)

Blog
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash Wasted. Lost. Paused. I stumbled upon an article with those three words describing the space between today and March 13, 2020. I was overwhelmed with a feeling of disagreement. The years were challenging, difficult, monotonous, tedious, trying, tragic, and long, but not wasted. We can carry many powerful lessons and accomplishments from our pandemic experience. Here is my non-exhaustive list of things that stand out for me. Our work is portable Working from home or from a coffee shop is not new, but we shifted and showed that we can work outside of a traditional office space in a large scale way. It wasn't perfect with dogs barking, kids needing distance learning help, the neighbor's seemingly constant leaf blower, but we did it. I…
Read More
24Aug 2021 by Katrina Kennedy No Comments
Five Things You Need To STOP Doing In Virtual Training

Five Things You Need To STOP Doing In Virtual Training

Blog
You've probably facilitated more virtual classes in the last year than you can count. You've unmuted, muted, and shared your screen numerous times. And, like me, you've made some mistakes. Whatever your experience level there are five things you need to stop doing in virtual training. These five things distract learners from your content and make you look unprofessional. Stop leaving computer notification on. Stop saying this isn't like "real" classroom training. Stop using the wrong method to get learner responses. Stop using multiple bullet pointed lists. Stop missing opportunities for learners to do the work. Are you doing any of the five? Now's a great time to stop. Let me explain each. STOP Leaving Computer Notifications On I don't want to hear your computer ping with notifications. Hearing someone…
Read More
17Aug 2021 by Katrina Kennedy 4 Comments
How To Use Four Creative Methods To Prompt Learner Responses

How To Use Four Creative Methods To Prompt Learner Responses

Blog
We need connection. We need feedback. We need interaction in class. Asking questions of learners is one way we obtain connection, feedback, and interaction. BUT... You ask a question. And nothing happens. Nothing. What can you do to change this situation? How can you get responses from learners? Zoom fatigue is real. Screen time and Covid and social distancing and working from home have exhausted all of us. Everything feels like it takes a little more effort. Answering your question is hard. Learners will play the wait for someone else game until you change your approach. Here are four creative methods to prompt learner responses Give Me 4 "I'm looking for four responses. Who's got number one." This phrase prompts everyone to attention. We've got a goal. I hold my…
Read More
27Apr 2021 by Katrina Kennedy 1 Comment
How To Use Questions To Reveal Possibilities & Deepen Learning

How To Use Questions To Reveal Possibilities & Deepen Learning

Blog
Photo by Gary Butterfield on Unsplash Have you observed learners sitting quietly in the virtual classroom waiting for someone else to answer your question? Yes, you could have people respond in the chat. But what about that rich, verbal exchange you loved so much from the traditional classroom space? "People don't participate in virtual discussions." Thirty people in the Zoom meeting considered the problem for a moment. "Don't respond yet," I said. "We are going to try an experiment." I was willing to try anything. "For the next four minutes, please raise your hand and ask a question related to our problem. Two rules though, no justification and no excusing. Just ask your question. I'll record it. Our goal is twenty questions in four minutes." "For the next four minutes,…
Read More
23Apr 2021 by Katrina Kennedy No Comments
How Do Learners Respond When You Ask A Question?

How Do Learners Respond When You Ask A Question?

Blog
What happens after you ask a question in training? Do you have multiple people eager to answer, scrambling over each other? Or do you hear...nothing. Just uncomfortable silence. Our natural tendency is to fill that nothing with something. Usually our own words. Do you do any of the following? Restate your question in another way?Answer the question yourself.Call on someone.Pause until there is a response. In adult learning there is really only one correct answer. That answer is silence. The Pause. It's difficult. It's uncomfortable. And it's completely necessary. The pause signals to the group that you intend for them to think. You want them to ponder the question. It also honors the system that we each go through prior to raising our hand (real or virtual) before we answer.…
Read More
20Apr 2021 by Katrina Kennedy No Comments
How To Keep People From Leaving Early

How To Keep People From Leaving Early

Blog
Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash The clock ticked closer to the hour and the exodus began. Messages began to drop into chat, "I've got a meeting at 11:00." "I need to be on a call at the hour." Have you been victim of the On The Hour Exodus? Frustrated that people don't stay until the end of the class or meeting you've so carefully orchestrated? Have you heard the lament of people who don't want to go but they've been scheduled for something else by someone else? The virtual meeting space has created a scheduling nightmare. It's so easy to think, "I can fit that in." Suddenly we are overbooked without a five minute breather or bathroom break between our virtual sessions. It seems one important way to overcome zoom…
Read More
16Apr 2021 by Katrina Kennedy No Comments
How To Create Powerful Producer Notes For Virtual Training

How To Create Powerful Producer Notes For Virtual Training

Blog
You know the benefits of using a producer, but how do you manage your roles and relationship? Clear communication between a producer and trainer will make your life easier and your training more professional. My virtual training is successful because of my producer. Without her managing attendance, opening breakout rooms, monitoring time, and troubleshooting technical issues I would not be able to focus on learners and the content I'm sharing. The key to our success? Producer notes. Our notes are a living document we actively maintain as we work through class. My producer notes are: Created in Google SheetsCreated for every class offering Shared with my producer so she can edit as neededAre all kept in one spreadsheet with completed classes are hiddenNever printed Why A Spreadsheet? You might be…
Read More
09Apr 2021 by Katrina Kennedy 1 Comment
Do You Need A Producer For Virtual Learning?

Do You Need A Producer For Virtual Learning?

Blog
Photo by Firmbee.com on Unsplash Do you need a producer to assist you with virtual learning? Yes. There's my answer. Simply yes. In my mind, it's really nonnegotiable. Why? A good virtual producer makes it easier for you, the facilitator, to focus on two things: 1. The Learners 2. The Content By its vary nature training in the virtual environment means you are juggling multiple things -- the technology, your content, your camera, and learner engagement. While you do that learners have to connect to the classroom, find all of the features to maneuver through their experience, and find any supplemental materials like handouts and participant guides. It only takes one person who can't hear or see things to stop the momentum of an entire class. My producer, Michelle, is…
Read More
29Mar 2021 by Katrina Kennedy No Comments
How To Manage Cameras In Virtual Instructor Led Training

How To Manage Cameras In Virtual Instructor Led Training

Blog
Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash In the last year trainers have been challenged to learn new skills, use new technologies, and facilitate in an unfamiliar way. The camera is the most controversial component of virtual instructor led training (VILT). Off? On? How do we handle it? My perspective on camera usage is...be flexible. I love when I can see learners. I love when I can see the changes as they respond to what I say and do. But with the shift in our work world there are at least five reasons for being flexible with cameras. People are in their homesPeople have children and other people in their homes learning, working, and livingMany organizations haven't provided adequate computer equipmentMany people don't have adequate internet connectivity to support videoPeople are tired, really tired…
Read More
26Mar 2021 by Katrina Kennedy 1 Comment
How To Lead Successful Virtual Breakout Room Activities

How To Lead Successful Virtual Breakout Room Activities

Blog
"You have fifteen minutes to network," the facilitator announced. The breakout rooms opened and I was transported into a new space with four strangers. A long, awkward silence was followed by the timid words, "what are we supposed to do?" We all wondered the same thing. Are you sending participants into breakout room blackholes? Are you sending them to their rooms hoping they'll make the most of it? There is a better way! I use FIVE RULES OF BREAKOUT ROOMS in all of my training. Yes, I said rules. Rules because if you follow these participants will know what to do and have a more productive time. My Five Breakout Room Rules Give clear, specific instructionsKeep groups smallAssign a facilitatorSet a time limitAsk facilitators to report back Let me elaborate…
Read More