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| Carolyn Ford Burac, ME.d. |
For this blog post, there are two parts. Adobe Connect for Virtual Live Training I and II. So, here are my best practices for setting up a virtual live training for every course we teach.
Adobe Connect Layouts
Layouts make it easy for you to transition smoothly when conducting various activities such as games, whiteboard activities and polls without confusing the learners on the placement of other pods on the screen (attendee lists, web cam, chat, etc.). For instance, you should always keep the chat pod located in the same place for every layout. Placing the chat pod in different areas amongst the various layouts will frustrate you, other presenters, the moderator and most importantly, the participants.Lobby Layout
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| fig. 1.0 |
The lobby layout is a default layout, so it doesn't need to be created. However, you may want to rearrange/re-size the pods. You will also need to set a neutral background. I don't suggest a really busy background with logos and text if the intent is for branding or for a marketing message. Participants will not see it anyway if you choose to use the space effectively with the pods. The only exception is if you plan on creating a special layout for breaks.
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| fig. 1.1 |
To set the background
Choose Meeting> Preferences> General- Click the upload button
- Find the location of the image to be displayed and select the image
- Select 'Show to all attendees'
- Click DONE to submit the changes
Classroom, Whiteboard and Poll Layouts
As I mentioned earlier, I prefer to keep the same format for classroom, whiteboard and poll layouts (fig. 2.0). When conducting your training, you want to avoid re-adjusting your focus on what's on the screen. The working area, where the most activity is occurring, should be centered and take up most of the real estate on the screen. |
| fig. 2.0 |
Most social networking sites tend to place the chat pod (fig. 2.1) at the bottom or the right side of the screen. Your participants will most likely be accustomed to this already, so it would make sense for the chat pod to be placed in these areas.
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| fig. 2.1 |
Having a moderator is such a valuable resource when conducting virtual live trainings. If you have a moderator, create a technical assistance chat pod and place it near the regular chat pod. The purpose for a technical assistance chat pod is for the moderator to answer any questions relating to technical difficulties a participant may experience, instead of posting their questions and concerns in the chat pod where everyone else can see it. This tends to interrupt your training. Your moderator can focus on helping participants privately without you or your audience being aware of issues not relating to your instruction.
Unfortunately, when using the whiteboard, participants do not have the ability to use any of the whiteboard tools. It is best for the moderator or you to auto-promote the participants as presenters in order for this feature to become available.
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| fig. 2.3 |
To auto-promote participants
Choose Meeting> Manage Access > Entry>Auto-Promote Participants to Presenters
Lastly, to demote the presenters back to participant status is a manual process which will require the moderator to drag each name back to the participant section (fig. 2.3). It is certainly not a feasible task if you have more than 25 participants because this will take the moderator several seconds to do this. In addition, the moderator will also need to ensure that the actual presenters remain in presenter status.
It is best to not have any activities where the participants will need the whiteboard tools if you have more than 25 attendees.
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See my next blog post where I will give some useful tips on VoIP vs. Dial-in, Video/Screen Share, importing Flash objects, and PowerPoint.