Here are some ways to engage learners during your session, just click on any of the videos to see them in action!
STRUCTURE YOUR TIME It typically works well to break down your 30-45 minute session into these 3 parts:
2-3 Minutes: Introduce yourself & your work
5-15 Minutes: Explore the session topic (here are 30 second examples of a virtual tour, demonstration, topic presentation, guided activity, project evaluation, project mentoring, and Q&A session).
10-15 Minutes: Q&A
USE VISUALS Show students your world - they may never have seen your type of workspace, snow, etc. before!
Share Your Screen: Show websites, photos, slides, or even memes.
Introduce Your Environment: Share tools, equipment, etc. or even walk around.
Demonstrate a Process: Let students see step-by-step how you do something.
SPEAK ON STUDENTS’ LEVEL Be mindful that students' knowledge and vocabularies will vary by factors such as their age.
Provide Context/Examples: Share background info, experiences, pop culture references, etc.
Connect Learning to the Real World: Highlight how classroom learning ties into real careers.
Simplify Language: Consider students' vocabulary levels and background knowledge
Keep it Short: Share small chunks of info at a time, and for younger students brevity is best.
BE INTERACTIVE Make it a conversation by talking “with” participants rather than “at” them.
Ask Questions: “What do you think of ___?” or “How many of you ___?”
Turn & Talk: “Turn to a peer and spend a minute discussing ___” and then share out.
Poll Participants: “Raise your hand if ___.”
Get Input: Ask participants for predictions or ideas as you demonstrate how to do something.
Put Students to Work: Assign a small, relevant task (e.g. "sketch a ____”) and share out.
Expand Engagement: Be brief when answering questions so more students can participate.
GET THE TECH RIGHT These simple but important tech tips will help it be a great connection.
Check Your Tech: Follow these steps before your session.
Speak Up: If there are tech issues (e.g. you can’t hear students), stop and let us know.
Think About Participants’ Experience: Speak loudly and move slowly if walking around.
Share Your Desktop: If you share your screen, this makes toggling smoother.
ALSO REMEMBER..
Complete Your Profile: Include a few sentences about yourself and a profile pic here so classes have a little background before your session.
Mention Salary Ranges: Students are often curious about earnings for different professions, so if applicable offer a general range for the field you're discussing.
Share Selectively: Avoid sharing anything overtly sales-oriented, and if necessary, make sure you get your HR department's permission to share content with students.
Steer Away from Some Topics: Unless the session is specifically about religion or politics, it's generally best to avoid them.
Do not share any contact information on slides, chat or verbally. All communication with students must go through the requesting educator.
