Advanced Class on Online Facilitation

As we move from in-person workshops and meetings to online spaces, many of us are probably wondering how to make online spaces as interactive and human as possible. There’s a jungle of resources out there when it comes to online tools and methods. 

To make life easier for you and your colleagues, the Fabo Initiative’s Learning Lab has created a one-hour advanced class on online facilitation where you can get inspiration and tips on how to successfully run an online workshop or facilitate an online meeting. 

Join us for an hour of knowledge sharing and get ideas on how to make your online meeting engaging, fun and motivating.

• Preparing participants for using an online space
• How to include participants and engage them
• Optimising your presentation 
• Creating and sustaining a comfortable online space 
• A case-based example of turning an in-person workshop into an online event

Here you can view the recording from the Advanced Class. 

1. Keep the meeting short: The more participants, the less time you have to go on. Virtual meetings often demand more concentration and focus so the rule of thumb is 90 min max.

2. Make sure participants are prepared: Since the meeting time is usually shorter than in-person meetings, make sure participants are as prepared as possible so your meeting is as interactive and engaging as possible for all attendees.

3. Make sure you are prepared: Hosting a virtual meeting requires more preparation than you might think. Check that your screen sharing works, check your headset is working properly, prepare your breakout rooms in advance if using those. Set up the online space so it suits the purpose of your meeting.

4. Good timekeeping: It might seem obvious, but when you’re hosting an online meeting, it’s important you keep the times stated in your agenda.

5. Use the tools available to you: Since the meeting is virtual, you won’t be able to read body language and see people’s facial expressions as well as during an in-person meeting. Familiarise yourself with the tools available in your video conferencing solution. Most solutions have functions such as the raise hand, thumbs up, chat and other handy tools that are interactive and keep your participants engaged.

Click below to download the PowerPoint slides from the Advanced Class.