Photo by: Fortyforks via Canva
Here we are, folks. It’s early in 2021, following a very long 2020. Times have been tough, and it seems like just about everything is out of our control. How have you coped? I bet you can find out by taking a quick scroll-stroll through your Instagram Explore feed. Though I would rather let a stranger read my 7th grade diary than dive into that deeply personal rabbit hole, I’m here to reveal one small passion of mine—skincare. What does skincare have to do with virtual classroom training, you ask? Read on!
I’ve become obsessed. Did you know that washing your face just once is, in fact, incorrect? It was news to me, too. And, as I’ve transformed my routine from a wash-and-go type of deal to an extensive time and money suck system, I’ve begun to see some parallels between the rise of multi-step skincare and the steps we take to introduce a course in the virtual classroom. Reader, please envision me using my best Instagram voice, with a glistening filter on my visage, as we continue.
First, let’s start with the cleanse. First and foremost, we need to break the ice that has settled between us and our learners. With this first scrub, we’re getting to know who these folks are and where they come from. If you’re genuinely here for skincare advice, I suggest a cleansing balm for this step.
Next stop—cleanse again! Drop a poll on your learners. What kind of experience are they working with? We want total clarity here. At this stage, we might also want to know what our learners are hoping to gain from the course. Anti-aging? New skills to bring back to the job? Acne? Learner engagement? Once we identify what we’re working on, we can apply the right products for the job.
Now, this is about the time I go for an exfoliator (note: if it contains micro-beads, throw it out!). At this point, we’re looking to peel off the layers and give our learners a sense of the content we’re about to cover. A quick overview of the agenda will lay out the expectations of what’s to come.
Finally, we hydrate! The learners are prepped and ready to receive the information. Just like there are many ways to hydrate (e.g. serums, moisturizers, oils, etc.), there are plenty of ways to deliver our content. By this stage, we’ve set our learners up to absorb all that good stuff.
As we move through the course, we may find other concerns popping up that require our attention. Have a learner whose microphone seems to pick up every little sound? Apply a spot treatment and send them a quick message asking them to mute themselves when they’re not speaking. Feeling the group disengage? Brighten up their complexions with a fun review game.
Just like any good skincare routine, there’s always room to adjust in the virtual classroom. See what works for you! When in doubt, you can always go back to basics and engage your learners from the get-go.
While we’re on the topic of engaging your learners, be sure to check out Maximizing Engagement in the Virtual Classroom to learn how to take your virtual classroom courses to the next level. Leverage the tools in your virtual platform to create powerful, interactive, and engaging virtual learning experiences!
