APPLIED COACHING RESEARCH JOURNAL 2021 , Vol . 7
Huggett ( 2020 ) revealed that 45 % of respondents are using their virtual classrooms for over half of their blended learning solutions . This signifies that organisations are widening their blended learning offers to include live and on-demand offerings , multiple formats and as part of a scaffolded learner journey . For inspiration of what you may wish to include in your blended learning offerings , check out
the ways of learning article , which introduces the five different ways of learning : discover , connect , experience , guided and apply ( UK Coaching , 2021 ).
While virtual classrooms are a popular choice to include in blended learning , the Learning and Performance institute ( LPI ) ( 2020 ) indicated that as many as 92 % of learners are multi-tasking while on a typical webinar . Yet , multi-tasking is a myth ! Due to limited brain bandwidth , it is near impossible to focus on two tasks at once and commit 100 % attention on both ( UK Coaching , in press ). Instead , we switch our attention between tasks and take longer to complete them . It begs the questions ‘ How do we create a virtual learning environment which encourages the learners not to switch to another task ?’
Lets explore how .
Simple and clean slide designs - Your learners don ’ t need to read a script on a slide , nor be overwhelmed with complex information layered on one slide .
Consider creating simple easy to read slides , which build on concepts over time . Life After Death by PowerPoint ( McMillan , 2008 ), is a comedy YouTube clip , which highlights some do ’ s and don ’ ts when creating slides .
Interactive tools - Explore your platform to understand what built-in interactive tools you have at your fingertips to help improve engagement . There are a range of platforms that have different interactive tools to use such as polling , onscreen annotation , emoji reactions , drawing on screen , video playback , chat box and unmuting mics . It may be that a hybrid between multiple platforms is the solution to maximise active participation . It is useful to understand what tools you have to consider these options while you design your virtual classrooms .
Tip : One big light bulb moment over the past couple of years has been to replicate the activities that worked well in a face-to-face , in the virtual environment !
Flipping your thinking to use your PowerPoint slides as a flipchart opens endless possibilities for engagement . Considering how you design your slides will allow for you to use your PowerPoint for multiple purposes , as shown below .
Tip : Through crafty slide designs , you can create a range of interactions which look and feel different . You can use your slide design to guide how and where you would like the learners to respond . If you have many learners in a virtual classroom , create larger areas of space for the learners to interact .
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