A competent facilitator is a crucial element for the success of any group or learning process. Facilitators should be able to work in a remote setting especially with the increasing number of virtual meetings and workshops. To facilitate effectively in remote settings it requires patience and careful evaluation of the unique obstacles that participants have to face. This article explores the key aspects and best practices to ensure efficient virtual facilitation.
Virtual participants face a variety of challenges, including the inability to detect body language and the reactions of others to the discussion. This can cause some people to feel unheard or have their opinions dismissed, which can adversely affect the outcome of a meeting. Qualitative facilitation techniques help ensure that everyone is engaged and all voices are heard.
Additionally, a lack of physical materials can make it difficult to run the similar exercises and activities that could be conducted in live workshops. For instance using whiteboards, flip charts, plenty of post-it notes and other tools can be extremely efficient in live workshops however, it can be difficult to replicate online. A mix of diverse activities, such as breakout sessions and interactive games and even more traditional elements such as why not try here questioning and sharing of information can help keep an online session lively and enjoyable.
