Running a Webinar

Best Practices

@peterskillenpeterskillen.org

DRAFT

Disclaimer!

This slideshow is…Platform agnostic!

Adobe Connect

Microsoft Lync

Cisco WebEx

Blackboard Collaborate* also breaking all layout rules for slideshows by text loading! :-)

What is a Webinar?

● a Web-based seminar

● presentation, lecture, workshop, seminar conducted over the Web

Styles

Traditional● a lecture online. Presenter presenting.

Participants watching & listening.Participatory● interactive—conversation & participation

among all participants & presenters

Have Two People!

Many roles:● Moderator/host● Technical Support● Subject-matter expert or facilitator● Chat manager/question fielder (emcee)● Coach

Planning - Use Multimedia

● livens things up● accommodates diversity

o try to get closed captioned video

Decide on audio● VOIP (computer mic & speakers) or telephone● tell people well in advance● set concurrent # of audio connections to that desired

Planning - Test EVERYTHING!

● Login, test audio, video, replicate the presentation, practise screen sharing and all software features you plan to use

● Send invited participants a link to test their software E.g., Adobe Connect test siteo this ensures their software is up to date (like

Java)

During —> Setup

● run a second computer under a fake participant’s accounto to see things from participant’s perspective

● use wired connection rather than wirelesso faster & more reliable

● have Welcome Screen advising participants (as they log in) to check audio settings

Introduction

● Teach registrants how they are going to participate

● Review the tools & how to use themo Script how to give instructions that prompt

participants to use the tools.

Chat Raising Hand

Microphone Clicking a checkmark

Whiteboard Polling

Introduce Yourselves

● Introduce yourselves with microphoneo If small group - participants can do the sameo If large group, they can use the chat window and/or

have them place themselves on a prepared map

Eg., “Please introduce yourselves in the Chat. Tell us your name, where you teach, and what you hope to get out of this session.”

Teach about the ‘back channel’● Participants can add value in the Chat

o adding relevant URLso extrapolatingo giving application exampleso adding questions to deepen conversationo adding questions for clarification

● Backchannel not rude?o unless responses are rudeo ‘off-topic’ side chats may be rude but sometimes are

seen as building community

Private Messaging

● Teach people about the Private Chat

o warn them that moderators may see all messages

this depends on software platform

Engage Your Audience

● Have participants use:o pollso whiteboardo chato voice

Effective Participation

● Build regular participation into your plan● Use varied techniques

o Open-ended questionso Use a timer

“I’m setting the timer for 2 minutes. Please type your responses in the chat.”

“Let’s have a ‘collective wondering’. I’m setting the timer for 2 minutes. Tell us how this might best be used in…”

Effective Participation (cont’d)

● “Tell me about a time when the techniques was successful…”

● “Please respond by typing in the Chat or feel free just to grab the mic.”

● Some can talk. Some can type.

Honour the Chat

● After people have responded, ask something like…

o “Now, please scroll back through the chat and see whose response resonates with you. Please grab the mic and share. Or type your feedback in the chat. Mention the person’s name in your response.”

Second Moderator Role

● can model effective responses to chat contributionso call on them to share

● can glean the chat for issues or questions & bring them up to the moderator who is busy speaking

● can deal with technical glitches on an individual basis

Polling

● Use the polling tool to get simple feedback for questions like…

o “Put a checkmark or X to let us know if you agree or disagree.”

Large Group? Breakout Rooms!

● Use breakout rooms to have small group conversations

o assign a leader in each group or let them decide

In Closing and After

● Let participants know how to:

o save whiteboard slideso save the chato access the archive after you post it

That’s it!

Hope you find this draft useful!

It is indeed a ‘work in progress’!