1. What’s your Virtual Effect?
Tips to be More Successful in the Virtual
Classroom
Presented by:
Dawn M. Smith
Learning Expert,
Mondo Learning Solutions

2. Here’s the scenario:
Imagine that I write a
column in a local journal
called “Dear Virtual
Vicki”. Trainers,
instructors,
facilitators, and even
faculty write in with
questions, problems, or
issues they’ve
encountered while
Virtual Training. Let’s get started…

3. Dear Virtual Vicki –
I have been asked to teach a computer class using
virtual technology. My concern is how do I teach
someone remotely, when they don’t even have
basic skills, like using a mouse?
Please help!
--Mouseless in Seattle

4. Dear Mouseless in Seattle–
• Pre-work exercises
• Slow-paced class
• Time to practice
• Patience, empathy, and compassion
• “Study Buddies”

5. Dear Virtual Vicki –
I am new to teaching “live”
online. I have a soft-skills
class that I’d like to try, but
have been told by numerous people
that this is not the type of
class to teach online.
What are your thoughts?
--Joe

6. Dear Joe –
• Blended learning approach -- what fits where?
• Utilize self-study, offline discussions,
even incorporate social media
• Transition exercises
• Small class sizes and breakout rooms

7. Web based Training
(WBT)
Different time/Different Place
Asynchronous Synchronous
Training Training
Different time/Same Place Same time/Different Place

8. So, what fits where?
Web based Training
(WBT)
• Self study Materials
• Long readings or passages
• Facts, Numbers, Statistics
• Mobile Learning “snippets”
• Job Aids or Just in Time Learning
Modules

9. So, what fits where?
Asynchronous Training
• Case studies and scenarios
• Exercises that require additional
analysis or research
• Time consuming activities that can be
broken up into phases or modules
• Pre or post course work
• Social Learning (i.e. Facebook,
Twitter)

10. So, what fits where?
Synchronous Training
• Exercises that require immediate
interaction or response
• Coaching or mentoring
• Role playing activities
• Demonstrations or presentations
• Application sharing

11. Dear Virtual Vicki –
I have been teaching night classes
at a local community college. My
department chair wants me to teach
live, online.
So, I put all my PowerPoint slides
into the virtual classroom and did
all my demos flawlessly (with app
sharing), while speaking through my
slides without a hitch. But I still
got low ratings on my evaluation.
What did I do wrong?
Teacher with Habits

12. Dear Teacher with Habits –
• Redesign content/delivery
• New activities
• Must compensate for lack of “body language”
• New set of facilitation tools
• Help students learn how to learn

13. Dear Virtual Vicki –
I have taught a couple of classes
virtually, but I am having difficulty
with the ‘multi-tasking’ aspect. There
is so much that I need to watch in the
class, while delivering the content
smoothly.
Any suggestions?
--Frazzled

14. Dear Frazzled –
• Cock-pit design
• Eliminate all other distractions
• “Shadow” session
• Practice, practice, practice

15. Dear Virtual Vicki –
I have tried teaching
online, but have
difficulty just
talking at my
computer screen
instead of to live
people.
What can I do?
--Talking to No One

16. Dear Talking to No One–
• Put up pictures of people
• Ask questions and encourage engagement
• Use multimedia presentations
• Webcams?

17. Questions???

18. Now it’s your turn…
Draw yourself a picture!

20. Thanks for your time!
I will be available for additional
questions at the
Mondo Learning Solutions exhibitor’s
table…
See you there!