The Global Virtual Classroom5 Keys to Success

Darlene ChristopherLEARNING OFFICER, WORLD BANK

Learning Objectives

1. Examine the virtual classroom from the global participant perspective

2. Develop strategies to adjust content, images and exercises for a global audience in a virtual classroom

3. Use best practices to avoid common mistakes when delivering training in a virtual classroom to global audiences

Web Conference

Participant view

Producer

Subject Matter Expert

Audio

Infoline: Nov 2011 T&D Magazine: Feb 2011

Your Experience with Virtual Classrooms

0 - 3 years 4 – 6 years

7 + years

Why Bother?

5 Keys

1. Content2. Facilitation3. Learning &

Communication Styles4. Preparation5. Logistics

Adjust Content Trim content used in

classroom

Spread reduced content over more slides/use slide builds

Add graphics

Check for culturally appropriate content

Wheel of Fortune

What Good Writers

Do

Clue: What Good Writers

Do

Guess the WordsThe boxes below represent two words. When it’s your turn, guess a letter you think is in either word. The first person to guess the

phrase wins.

Summer E-Learning Series

Course 1: Investment Lending Course 2: Financial Management Course 3: Safeguard Policies Course 4: Procurement Course 5: Development Policy

Lending

August E-Learning Series

Course 1: Investment Lending Course 2: Financial Management Course 3: Safeguard Policies Course 4: Procurement Course 5: Development Policy

Lending

Adjust Images

Do your images reflect the cultural and ethnic identity of the audience?

Add Interactivity Polls

Status Icon Changes

Whiteboarding

Chat

17

18

19

20

2. Facilitation

Clear and precise Pace Language/cultural

awareness International English

“Maria, play devil’s advocate and respond that statement.”

“Close, but no cigar.”

“Don’t have a cow.”

“She kept her nose to the grindstone.”

Facilitation TeamLead Facilitator(SME)

Producer(Web Conf. Expert)

Slides/Content Advances slides, engages audience verbally

Types key messages from content into chat

Chat Not active in chat; comments verbally on chat

Active in chat; engages audience by posting questions, links, etc.

Polls Comments on poll responses Opens/closes polls

Exercises Leads and debriefs exercises Describes how exercises will run

3. Learning & Communication Styles

We learn and communicate in different ways

Perceptions of role of student/teacher

Cross Cultural Communication

When Cultures Collide by Richard Lewis

Learning Styles

David Kolb: Experiential Learning

Match diversity with diversity

Cultural Dimensions

Geert Hofstede

4. Preparation (Rehearsal)

Facilitation team Mock audience

Rehearsal Tips Rehearse in the location of

the formal launch Include someone from the

target country in your mock audience

Practice the first three minutes until they are flawless

Rehearse exercises Develop back-up plans

5. Logistics

Do all countries observe daylight saving time?

Of the countries that observe daylight saving time, do they do it at the same time?

Is the work week Monday – Friday for all countries?

5. Logistics

Time Zones International Holidays

Workweek Audio Considerations

Planning: Logistics Time Zones

www.worldtimeserver.com/

International Holidays www.qppstudio.net/publicholidays.htm

Work Week http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workweek

ResourcesBooks

Virtual Classroom Basics – Cindy HuggettGreat Webinars – Cynthia ClaySynchronous Trainer’s Survival Guide – Jennifer Hofmann

Blog webconferenceguru.com

Twitter@darlenec @klmonline@cindyhugg @presentationzen@colinsteed