ENGAGEMENT WITH CAMERAS OFF

5 Cameras-Off Engagement Strategies

Five ways to engage workplace learning and development participants when they won’t turn on their cameras. Some workplace cultures are often OFF-camera, and it can be a challenge to change that quickly. Stay tuned for my video about how to invite and encourage people to turn on their cameras. But firstly, let’s encourage engagement even when you can’t see your participants. Here are 5 Cameras-Off Engagement strategies:

1. Chat

Use Chat often. Ask your participants questions and invite them to type in chat. You can also have some questions or activities where people type of everyone. Another activity where you invite people to ask you questions directly/privately. Another activity can include a paired chat between two people.

2. Reactions

Reactions are a quick and easy way to have multiple touchpoints with your participants. You can ask them to give you a fun emoji, or “How do you feel using an emoji”, or a green checkmark when they return from break, or “Give me a thumbs up or a thumbs down, if you agree or disagree.”

3. On Mic

Even off-camera, you can still invite people to turn on their mics to respond to questions. Or invite people to expand on what they typed into chat. People can participate a lot, even when they are off-camera. Use the power of VOICE!

4. Annotation

Annotation and whiteboards are a great way to engage and invite people to participate. When facilitating learning experiences giving active opportunities to get involved, can stop the boredom and distractions that can occur when the learning is only passive. Including activities where people can collaborate and click or type their responses adds an interactive element.

5. Breakouts

Breakout rooms may be the time that your group does turn on their cameras because they are in small groups. However, even if they keep their cameras off there, turning on their mics and having a conversation is an important part of their learning experience.

Remember

Add variety to your learning experiences and workplace training design, even if your group prefers to be off-camera. Stay tuned for my future video about how to invite and encourage people to turn ON their cameras. You can also watch our video about participants who are camera shy.

“Facilitate engaging online learning experiences that turn an audience into participants.”

Patricia

Hot Bonus Tip:

When your participants are off camera remember that their engagement depends a lot on your enthusiasm and energy. Try to not let the off camera experience dip because you are frustrated that you can’t see your participants.

How to Connect When Cameras Are Off

Podcast

In case you missed it, here’s the previous blog post: How to Menti: Embed a Word Cloud Into a PowerPoint Slide

Author

Patricia Regier, MEd is the Online Expert who’s built a career on the belief that training and online learning doesn’t have to be boring. As Owner of Regier Educational Services and with a Master of Adult Education, Patricia is known for making her audience feel empowered, engaged, courageous and confident. Her debut book and keynote, The Online Shift teaches newcomers to the online space and seasoned professionals alike how to optimize their online presence and maximize engagement. She’s tried, tested and refined using the latest behavioral science, research and psychology to make sure your next online experience is a hit!