Looking for cost effective and agile ways to train staff?

Then virtual classroom (VC) may be the answer you are looking for (other terms for VC include webinar and web conferencing).

At first, virtual classroom can seem a little daunting to design and facilitate. A virtual classroom train-the-trainer workshop is a great way to build the skills and confidence you need to be successful. Visit Connect Thinking for more information.

Meanwhile, why not review these free resources from Connect Thinking and our affiliates.

Webinar design and facilitation techniques for learning, sharing and collaboration

These videos are an edited recording from a live webinar presentation sponsored by Redback Conferencing. Although the participant numbers were too large for a lot of participation, the recording will give you a sense of the role of web moderator (played by Sara) and facilitator (me).

10 Things that Make E-Learning Work

These videos help to understand the webinar process from ‘go to wo’. A collaboration with Colleen Kavanagh. This presentation also appeared in article format in HC Magazine, Sept 2011, pp34-36.

All E-Learning Academy videos are available on YouTube and iTunes.

If you have a virtual classroom question or experience you would like to share, please feel free to leave a comment on this blog post. Thank you.

I  have recently had a number of recent enquiries about webinar (virtual classroom) design and facilitation training for learning professionals recently. That’s great to see, as I think webinars are largely under-utilised in organisational learning.

Their value is obvious (enables social learning, cost-effective, supportive of geographically dispersed learners, supportive of generative learning activities). However, participative webinars do require specialist skills in learning design and facilitation.

Webinar design and facilitation resources from Connect Thinking

10 Things That Make E-Learning (Webinars) Work (YouTube video)

Part 1: Click here

Part 2: Click here

Article in HR Magazine 9/11, pp34-36: The Virtual Classroom: 10 tips to make e-learning work: Click here

I am guest speaker at a free webinar on Participative Webinars, scheduled for February 7, supported by Redback Webconferencing: Click here

Webinar design and facilitation training from Connect Thinking

E-Learning Academy members have access to the course and accompanying resources Webinar Instructional Design and Facilitation: Demo course click here

I also facilitate a 1 day workshop on webinar design and facilitation. I conduct these in the classroom, so that participants can see both facilitator view and learner view during the training. Webinar workshops are tailored to participant specific needs and generally include the following topics:

• Prepared webinar demonstration
• Learning in a virtual classroom
• Designing for the virtual classroom
• Facilitating and managing a virtual classroom
• Lunch  Design – your turn
• Running a session – your turn
• Review of workshop and take home points
• Net steps for your organisation

I hope the resources are helpful to you. If you would like further information on Academy membership or webinar workshops, please contact me 02 8824 3340 or use the contact form.

Just a quick post to say Colleen Kavanagh and I will be presenting at the National Simulation-Based Training and Virtual Learning Conference in Melbourne on Monday 28th November, 2011. Our topic: Virtual Classroom – It’s all about participation.

For those who are unable to atttend, I will summarise our experience next week.

I have recently refreshed and updated recommended e-learning resources on the Connect Thinking e-learning resources page. Here you will also find access to a free e-learning gap analysis.

Also, a new article from Colleen Kavanagh and myself: 10 Things That Make Webinars Work, in September 2011 HC Magazine, pages 34-36. Enjoy.