Deliver Training Using Zoom and Other Virtual Options

Training delivered in a virtual environment, such as Zoom or Go-to-Meeting, must still comply with the standards for training approval, to ensure that attendees are participating and involved in the learning experience.

To be approved, the virtual event must be held in real time, attendees must be present for the entire class time, and there must be structured interactions to engage attendees in the learning experience. NOTE: Webinar and recorded sessions will not be approved as training. Attendees who miss part of the real time session may not “make up” the time by watching a recording later.

Registration and Attendance

Let potential attendees know that when searching the Growing Futures Registry Online Calendar for virtual training, the term "classroom" is used for both in-person and virtual real time sessions. Be clear in your training description if your event is being held face-to-face in one location or online in a virtual classroom such as Zoom.

Training attendance is required at virtual training events, just as it is with in-person events. You must use the attendance tools provided by the virtual platform to track who is registered, the time each attendee entered and left the session, and the total length of time each attendee participated. Only people who signed into the real-time event and were present for the entire event may be awarded clock hours for the training. Once the event is completed, you must generate a report from the virtual platform to send to the Registry to verify the attendees who were awarded clock hours on your roster. 

Create Engaging Virtual Training

Here are some ways to create meaningful and interesting training for attendees using virtual platforms.

  • Spruce up your typical icebreakers. For example, ask attendees to share their name and where they live as you would during an in-person training, but also ask them to change their virtual background to a picture that shows something that makes them happy. This not only keeps attendees engaged but helps others to get to know them in a new way.
  • Break the training session(s) into manageable chunks of 30-45 minutes to help attendees learn, retain information, and stay engaged.
  • Take quick breaks to allow people to stand up and move.
  • Play music during breaks to alert attendees when it’s time to return to training.
  • Mix it up with screen-sharing, including pre-recorded video clips and PowerPoint presentations. Or do live demonstrations to show best practices. Changing the pace and the type of learning activity helps to keep attendees interested and engaged.
  • Group similar topics together, so that information is presented in blocks.
  • Include small group work and activities.
  • Make sure that people are participating by using In-Meeting Chat and the Raise-Hand feature. Also use Meeting Polling and let attendees see the results of the polls.
  • Encourage Non-Verbal Feedback to quickly see who is still paying attention. Change up the activity if you notice that attention is wandering.