The Market Your Message Show
The Market Your Message Show
Ch 10. Planning Your Virtual Workshop (Speakers)
Mastering the Art of Engaging Virtual Workshops
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In this chapter, we explore the evolution and lessons from the 1950s Chicago TV College, which revolutionized remote education through engaging and interactive methods. The chapter draws parallels to modern virtual workshops, cautioning against monotonous lectures that lead to disengagement and 'Zoom fatigue'. Instead, effective workshops should include short, focused teaching segments, hands-on exercises, Q&A sessions, breakout rooms, and well-timed breaks. By following these five key steps, presenters can create dynamic and memorable virtual workshops that captivate their audiences and enhance learning outcomes.
00:00 Introduction: The Birth of Virtual Workshops
01:08 Engaging Remote Learners: Lessons from the TV College
02:28 Crafting the Perfect Virtual Workshop Agenda
02:49 Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Virtual Workshops
05:39 The Magic Formula for Engaging Workshops
06:33 Five Key Steps to Virtual Workshop Success
11:58 Creating Your Own Engaging Workshop Agenda
14:55 Conclusion: Key Takeaways for Virtual Workshops
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Hello and welcome to the market. Your message show. I'm your host, Jonathan Milligan. And we are going through the third book in the series. Validate your offer. This is an important book because a lot of people will start their business online. And then they're trying to figure out how do I create something that people will want and how do I do it without wasting time? And that's what this third book in my book series is all about. Now as a thank you for being a loyal podcast listener, I am making the audio book available one chapter at a time every single week. And as you're listening to this, we are currently going through that. Validate your offer. Now, if you ever want the audio book or you want the book or the workbook, you can go to platform growth, books.com again, it's platform, growth books.com, and you could order one of those. And of course, listen, as you go through the book or use the workbook to implement what you hear. In each episode. So with that being said, let's jump right in to today's chapter.
Speaker 26:Chapter 10, planning your virtual workshop. Speakers, close your eyes and imagine this. It's the 1950s in Chicago, and a bold new experiment in education is taking the city by storm. No more stuffy classrooms or boring lectures. No more battling traffic or rushing to make it to class on time. Instead, thousands of students are learning from their own living rooms. They can do this thanks to a pioneering program called the TV College. A student settles into her favorite armchair, notepad, and pencil, ready. She tunes in to the designated channel, and suddenly, the familiar face of her professor appears on the screen. But this is no ordinary lecture. The instructor is lively and engaging. They use dynamic visuals and clear explanations. These seem tailor made for television. The TV college launched by Chicago's public colleges was a game changer. It brought education to the masses in a whole new way, breaking down barriers of access and opportunity. But it also faced a daunting challenge. How do you keep students engaged when they're not in the same room as their teacher and classmates? The answer lies in the art of crafting compelling and Interactive learning experiences. The instructors at the TV college couldn't rely on the usual tricks of the trade. No eye contact, no reading the room, no live Q& A. Instead, they had to get creative. They used vibrant graphics and demonstrations to bring abstract concepts to life. They broke complex topics down into digestible chunks, perfect for the shorter attention spans of home viewers. They infused their presentations with personality and humor. This forged a connection with their unseen audience. In short, they mastered the art of engaging remote students. This skill is more important than ever in the age of virtual workshops and online learning. So what can we learn from the intrepid educators of the TV College? Their story reminds us that engaging virtual learners is all about adapting our approach to suit the medium. It's about being dynamic, visual, and relatable. It's about breaking free from the limits of traditional teaching. It's about getting creative in how we connect with our audience. As we dive into the world of virtual workshops, let's keep the lessons of the TV college close at hand, because if they could captivate thousands of students through the tiny screens of 1950s televisions, imagine what we can achieve with the interactive tools and technologies at our fingertips today. The key to unlocking Virtual Workshop's full potential lies in crafting an agenda. It must keep participants engaged from start to finish. And that's exactly what we're going to explore in this chapter. So, grab your notepad and get ready to channel your inner TV college professor. It's time to master the art of the Virtual Workshop agenda.
Speaker 27:The fatal flaw of most virtual workshops. You're excited to attend a virtual workshop on a topic you're passionate about. You clear your schedule, brew a fresh cup of coffee and settle in at your computer, ready to learn. But as the minutes tick by, your enthusiasm starts to wane. The presenter drones on and on, reading from endless slides packed with tiny text. Your mind wanders, your attention drifts, and before you know it, you're struggling to keep your eyes open. Sound familiar? It's a scenario that plays out all too often in the world of virtual workshops. And it's no wonder why. The perils of the endless lecture. Many well intentioned presenters fall into a trap. They try to recreate the in person workshop online. They figure, Hey, I've got a captive audience for a few hours. I'll just lecture them nonstop. Like I would in a classroom. Big mistake. Here's the thing. What works in person doesn't always translate to the virtual realm. When you're face to face with the presenter, there's a certain energy and connection that can sustain a longer lecture, but when you're staring at a screen. It's a whole different ball game. The dreaded zoom fatigue ever heard of zoom fatigue. It's that bone deep exhaustion that sets in after hours of video calls and online meetings. And it's a very real phenomenon in the world of virtual workshops. You're bombarded with nonstop talking heads and endless slides. Your brain quickly becomes overloaded. Your attention span dwindles, your eyes glaze over. And before you know it. You're mentally checked out. All that valuable information you were so excited to learn, it's going in one ear and out the other. The result? The workshop falls flat. It leaves participants bored and disengaged. They question why they bothered to attend. A better way forward. But here's the good news. It doesn't have to be this way. A few simple tweaks to your virtual workshop agenda can make it engaging, interactive, and memorable. The tweaks work no matter how long the workshop is. The key prioritizing interaction and variety. Instead of droning on for hours, break your workshop up into bite sized chunks.
Aim for short, focused teaching segments of no more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time.
Speaker 27:Think of it like a delicious meal. You want to serve up a variety of flavors and textures to keep things interesting. Between those teaching segments, mix in plenty of interactive elements. Encourage participants to apply what they're learning through hands on exercises and activities. Spark lively discussions and Q& A sessions. And don't forget to sprinkle in some well timed breaks to give everyone a chance to recharge and refocus. The magic formula. So what's the magic formula for a truly engaging virtual workshop? Here's a simple guideline to keep in mind.
Aim for a total workshop length of 2 to 4 hours, broken up into roughly 1 hour segments.
Speaker 27:Within each segment include a mix of short teaching burst, 15 minutes, interactive exercises and activities, 15 minutes, Q and a, and, or breakout room discussion. 15 minutes, brief breaks, 15 minutes. By following this formula, you'll create a virtual workshop. That's dynamic, engaging, and packed with value. Your participants will stay energized and focused. They will absorb key insights and use them right away. So don't fall into the trap of the endless lecture, embrace interaction and variety. Watch soar. They will reach new heights of impact and effectiveness. Let's take a closer look at each segment.
Speaker 28:The five key steps to virtual workshop success, ready to craft a virtual workshop that truly engages and inspires. It all comes down to five key steps. Master these and you'll be well on your way to delivering a workshop that packs a punch and leaves a lasting impact. Step one, embrace the power of bite sized teaching. Imagine you're a fitness trainer leading a high energy workout class. You wouldn't have your participants do the same exercise for an hour straight, would you? Of course not. You'd mix things up. You'd alternate cardio, strength training, and stretching. This keeps them engaged and energized. The same principle applies to virtual workshops. Don't bombard your audience with a marathon lecture. Instead, break your content into short 15 minute segments. Think of each segment as a focused sprint that dives deep into a specific topic or skill. By teaching in these short bursts, you maximize learning and minimize fatigue. Your participants stay alert, engaged, and ready to absorb new insights. It's a simple yet powerful way to keep the energy high and the momentum going. Step two, bring learning to life with applied exercises. Ever heard the saying, practice makes perfect. It's a cliche for a reason. When it comes to learning, there's no substitute for hands on experience. That's why after each 15 minute teaching segment, it's crucial to give your participants a chance to apply what they've learned. Dedicate 10 to 15 minutes to an interactive exercise or activity that brings the concepts to life. This isn't just a nice to have, it's backed by science. A 2014 study by Freeman et al found that active learning Like problem solving and discussion leads to better understanding. It's better than just passive listening. So don't just tell your participants what to do. Give them a chance to practice it for themselves. It might be a quick brainstorm, a mini project or a group discussion. These practical exercises will cement the learning and make it stick. Step three, spark lively discussions with Q and A sessions. Picture this. It's ancient Greece, and the great philosopher Socrates is engaging his students in a lively dialogue. He's not just lecturing them, he's asking thought provoking questions, challenging their assumptions, and sparking new insights. Fast forward a few thousand years, and the power of questions remains just as potent. That's why, throughout your virtual workshop, it's essential to carve out dedicated time for Q& A sessions. Aim to include a 15 minute Q& A block after every hour of content. This lets your participants ask clarifying questions. They can also share their own experiences and dive deeper into their favorite topics. But Q& A isn't just a benefit for your audience. It's also an invaluable tool for you as the instructor. You can gauge their understanding by hearing from your participants. You can identify areas where they may struggle and adjust your approach on the fly. It's like having a real time feedback loop that helps you tailor the workshop to their specific needs. Step four, foster connection and collaboration with breakout rooms. One of the biggest challenges of virtual workshops is creating a sense of community and connection. When participants are scattered across different locations and time zones, it can be tough to foster that feeling of being in it together. That's where Zoom breakout rooms come in. Divide your participants into smaller groups. This creates chances for intimate discussions, teamwork, and peer learning. As adult learning expert, Jane Vela puts it, The key to a great workshop is the right mix of content, activity, reflection, and interaction. Breakout rooms provide the essential interaction. They allow participants to learn from each other. So don't be afraid to mix things up and send your participants into breakout rooms throughout the workshop. They are for quick icebreakers or more in depth projects. These interactions build camaraderie and make learning feel personal and engaging.
Speaker 29:Step five, give the brain a break. Last but not least, don't underestimate the power of a well timed break. When you're in the thick of a multi hour workshop, it can be tempting to plow through without coming up for air, but that's a recipe for burnout and disengagement. The science is clear. Brief breaks are essential for maintaining focus and motivation. A 2011 study by Erriga and Jerez found that short breaks can reduce fatigue. They restore attention, helping participants stay sharp and engaged. So make sure to schedule 10 to 15 minute breaks at least every hour. Encourage participants to step away from their screens, stretch their legs, grab a snack, or simply rest their eyes. These little moments of respite will help them recharge and come back ready to learn. And there you have it, the five key steps to virtual workshop success. Break your content into bite sized parts. Add applied exercises. Spark lively Q& As. Foster small group interactions. Give the brain a break. This will create a workshop that truly engages, inspires, and sticks with your participants. They'll remember it long after the final Zoom call. Today's exercise, craft your engaging workshop agenda. All right. It's time to put these principles into practice, grab a pen and paper, or open up a fresh document on your computer. We're going to take the next 10 to 15 minutes to draft a high level agenda for your own virtual workshop. Don't worry about getting it perfect. This is just a starting point. The goal is to get your creative juices flowing. Start to see how you can structure your workshop for maximum engagement and impact. Step one, determine your total workshop length. First things first, how long do you want your workshop to be? Aim for somewhere between two to four hours total. This is the sweet spot for most virtual workshops. Long enough to dive deep into your content, but not so long that participants start to lose steam. Step two, break it down into hourly segments. Now that you have your total workshop length, break it down into hourly segments. For example, if you're planning a 3 hour workshop, you'll have 3 1 hour segments to work with. Step 3. Fill in your agenda building blocks. For each hourly segment, start slotting in the key building blocks of an engaging workshop. 1 3 content segments, 15, 20 minutes each. 1 3 interactive exercises or activities, 10, 15 minutes each. A 15 minute Q& A session. A 10 15 minute break. Mix and match these elements in a way that feels natural and flows well with your content. Remember, variety is key. You want to keep things dynamic and engaging throughout the workshop. Step four, rinse and repeat. Once you've filled in your first hourly segment, repeat the process for the remaining segments. Again, don't get too bogged down in the details. This is just a high level outline to give you a sense of the overall flow and structure. Step five, stand back and admire your work. Take a step back and look at your completed agenda. How does it feel? Does it have a good mix of content, interaction, and breathing room? Are there any areas that feel too heavy or too light? Don't be afraid to make tweaks and adjustments as needed. This is your workshop. And you know, your content and audience best trust your instincts and create an agenda that feels authentic and engaging to you. And there you have it your first draft of an engaging virtual workshop agenda. It might not be perfect, but it's a great starting point as you continue to refine and iterate. Keep the key principles in mind. They are short content, interactive exercises, lively Q and A's, small group breakouts, and well timed breaks. With this foundation in place, you're on your way. You're making a virtual workshop that truly resonates and has a lasting impact. So go forth and create something amazing. Your audience will thank you for it. Key takeaways, vary activities and limit lectures to 15 minute segments to keep virtual workshops engaging. Applied exercises, Q and A, and small group breakouts create an interactive learning experience, including breaks. Each hour helps maintain energy and focus throughout multi hour workshops.