This tip discusses three virtual activities  that will meet the needs of kinesthetic learners.

A Static Virtual World

By its very nature, the virtual world is static.

We spend the day seated and glued to our computer screens as we attend virtual meetings, watch webinars, and participate in virtual training programs.

Creative trainers and presenters take advantage of the different bells and whistles offered by virtual platforms to keep their training programs participative and interesting. They invite their learners to:

These are excellent techniques to engage learners. However, the learners are still seated. And, if we want our learners to learn, retain and recall new information and skills, they need to stand and move.

Why Learners Need to Move

Why? There are two key reasons.

First, when people stand the blood rushes to their heads, carrying oxygen.

This energizes and refreshes them.

Second, when participants move, they engage the corpus callosum, which connects both sides of the brain.

This increases retention and recall of new information.

Virtual Kinesthetic Activities

Happily, there are kinesthetic activities that can be used to get participants up and out of their seats during virtual presentations. Six that immediately come to mind include:  (1) common ground questions, (2) content pivot points, (3) focus questions over breaks, (4) peg systems, (5) scavenger hunts, and (6) standing ovations.

Let’s consider the first three activities.

Common Ground Questions.

You create 3 or 4 questions about the topic or the session that will include all participants. Each question begins with “How many of you…?” The idea is to ask enough questions so that all participants have been included.

Ask these questions at the very beginning of the training program. The questions will:

(1) prime the participants to participate;

(2) create a community of learners; and

(3) focus participants on the topic in a way that increases buy-in.

For example: “How many of you are completely satisfied with your ability to ….?” “How many of you feel that you could be better at …..?” “How many of you would like to learn techniques that will help you be better or sharpen your skills at….?”

Because this is the beginning of the program, you may want to make sure the participants know how to use the reaction options on the virtual platform. Consequently, you might ask the participants to “raise their hands” or indicate a “yes” or “thumbs up” in response to the first question. However, for the second question, ask them to stand up if they agree with the question. Ask them to stand or remain standing in response to the third question.

Content Pivot Points.

To emphasize the completion of one module or major topic and beginning of the next, you can create a ritual that requires the participants to stand and move.

For example, have them get up and walk around their chairs- or have them stand and stretch their arms over their heads. You can ask the participants to come up with the ritual and suggest it in chat.

You don’t want this to be a lengthy or complex activity- just something to get the oxygen and blood flowing.

Focus Questions Over Breaks.

Our brains can only take in so much content at one time. They need reflection time to create mental models to retain new information. The mind can absorb only as much as the butt can endure. Give 10-minute stretch breaks every 50 or 60 minutes. Instruct the participants to stand and move around during the break.

Standing and moving during breaks will:

(1) bring more oxygen to their brains, reenergizing them; and

(2) engage both sides of their brain, increasing retention.

You can ask them to get something to eat or drink, or lead them in a stretch, or play music and suggest they dance. Or you can simply let them take the break any way they want.

To get double value from the break, just before the participants go on break, ask them to think about some aspect of the topic that will be discussed after the break. They will not be conscious of thinking about this aspect, but their brain will be primed so that they will be completely ready to discuss it after the break.

Have you used any of these activities in your virtual training?

In our next Tip, we’ll look at the three other kinesthetic activities: (4) peg systems, (5) scavenger hunts, and (6) standing ovations.

If you would like to learn how to incorporate kinesthetic learning activities into your virtual training programs, please book a call to discuss a tailored train-the-trainer program. https://laurelandassociates.com/contact/

May your learning be sweet- and safe.

Deborah