Photo by: Ridofranz via Canva
Before I step onto the tennis court, I always start with a dynamic warm-up. It gets my muscles ready to move, sharpens my focus, and helps prevent injuries. Without it, I’m less effective and more likely to make mistakes.
The same principle applies in the virtual classroom. A good warm-up helps learners shift from “spectator mode” into “participant mode.” It sets the tone for interaction and primes them for a more engaged session.
I’m lucky enough to work with a producer who gets this warm-up going before the workshop even starts. Learners are already clicking, chatting, and connecting when I step in. But even if you don’t have a producer, you can embed these warm-ups into your own sessions with just a little planning.
Here are a few warm-up ideas you can try in your next virtual training session:
Puzzles or Brainteasers
Share a quick riddle, puzzle, or “spot the difference” image. These activities stimulate thinking and get participants interacting right away.
Example: “What five-letter word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it?” (Answer: short).
Polls or Quick Questions
Use built-in polling or chat to spark interaction.
Example: “What’s one leadership quality you admire in a colleague?”
Small Talk With Purpose
Invite learners to unmute and share a light response connected to the session.
Example: “What’s one leadership quality you admire in a colleague?”
Tool Practice
On day one, provide learners with a reason to click, type, or speak using the platform tools.
Example: “Use the annotation tool and circle the project challenge you’ve faced before.”
Mix it Up
For multi-day sessions, rotate warm-ups. This keeps things fresh, and learners will be motivated to log in each day.
Example: Use puzzles one day and polls the next.
Just like a dynamic tennis warm-up prepares my body for the match, a virtual warm-up gets learners ready to engage. Try one (or several) in your next virtual training session. You’ll find this small step makes a winning difference!
Whether you’re a facilitator or a producer, these workshops have all the skills and best practices you’ll need for a successful experience in the virtual classroom: The Virtual Trainer and The Virtual Classroom Producer.
One Response to “Warm Learners Up Before You Dive In”
Thank you for incorporating engaging warm-up activities prior to diving into the lesson plan and learning objectives during the virtual delivery. These examples as you mentioned “A good warm-up helps learners shift from “spectator mode” into “participant mode.” I recognize the value these warm-ups bring, not only in preparing learners mentally and fostering participation but also in supporting the facilitator and producer with smoother transitions and increased engagement from the start. I appreciate your thoughtful facilitation techniques.