Post online training application and follow up: Top tips
What happens next? When your online training is coming to an end, how to you ensure participant engagement, evaluation and reflection? Nim shares their top tips in the final part of their blog-series.
This blog is part of a wider-series written by Bootcamp’s lead trainer, Nim Ralph, focused on how to run engaging online trainings in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis. To see the other blogs in the series, scroll to the end of this post.
In the last 4 blogs in this series, I’ve looked at how you plan for, design and facilitate an engaging online training. This blog looks at what you should consider for the end of the session and beyond: how you evaluate its success, debrief and create space for participants to reflect and take action.
This is a big one — like in real life the measure of a good session is how well people apply the learnings/outcomes in their life outside.
- Don’t forget to include time in your session for people to think about what they are taking away and how they will apply and share it.
- Make sure you’ve got a clear list of action points for follow up with participants; whether they’ve committed to things, or you’ve promised to send them handouts or notes.
- Think about whether you will evaluate the session or have follow ups with participants to check in on them and make sure you give them what information they need at the end of the call
- Many online platforms will record your training and/or create a live transcript. You can use this to share information after the session.
- Have a team debrief if you had other people working with you
- Do your own trainer reflection at the end of the session:
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- What worked well?
- What was challenging?
- What did you learn about the tech?
- What did you learn about pacing the session?
- What could you try differently next time?
Finally, remember to look after yourself! We are not just machines designed to produce labour. Looking at a screen for 8 hours a day producing work is not how we live our best lives. Take a rest, drink more water, eat well and reconnect with yourself. Here’s some strategies I am using in these times:
- Waking up at the same time each day
- Showering, eating breakfast and a short work out (some push ups, squats and skipping) before I start work
- A friend shared the Ivy Lee Method with me and I’m trialling it. Basically each day you write a max of 6 “to-do’s” each day and list them in priority order. You focus only one priority 1 until it’s done, then move to 2 and so on. Any of the list you don’t get to you use as the start of the list the next day
- Taking regular breaks and maximising my walking outside time
- Stretching on a break, even if it’s only 5 mins
- Making sure I reach out to 2 friends a week meaningfully
- Setting aside 10 mins each day to intentionally do something that brings me real joy and presence without distractions; listening to some songs I love, feeling the sun on my face, dancing in my living room. Whatever brings you joy.
Read the other blogs in the series on online trainings here:
- Part 1: What to consider when picking your tech
- Part 2: Prepping an online session
- Part 3: Building trust in a group online
- Part 4: Thinking about learning styles and needs online
- Part 6: Further reading and resources