Technology Tips for Conducting Effective Virtual Training Sessions

With the COVID-19 cases spiking nationwide, electrical contractors and their employees are likely still opting for virtual training sessions over large in-person meetings. With many of today’s conferences, workshops, and meetings shifting to an online conferencing and video platform, here are some tips for conducting a successful virtual meeting or interactive online session, according to a fact sheet from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).

1. Focus on the meeting logistics. Make sure you practice the technology beforehand, check out the security settings and hire a moderator to troubleshoot and keep an eye on the chat box.
2. Start out with an ice breaker. For example, NIEHS suggests asking the participants to name one hazard that they faced in the workplace.
3. Engage the attendees. Speakers can ask questions or use humor or storytelling.
4. Take care when including a video. Sometimes presenters can face problems with trying to share videos over a virtual platform. Instead of incorporating the video during the presentation, you can opt to send the participants a link to the video, which they can watch on their own time.
5. Encourage brainstorming and collaboration. Presenters can engage the attendees through a poll or survey, the chat function on the virtual platform or the usage of a breakout room to facilitate small group discussions.

For more tips and to see a list of other resources for virtual gatherings, visit the NIEHS website.  

Fischbach is a freelance writer based in Overland Park, Kan. She can be reached at [email protected].