Engagement has always been a major concern for facilitators – be it a teacher or trainer of adult groups, keeping participants engaged throughout the entire time is a bit of a tricky task. To add to that in online learning and training session, the trainers are required to devote a thoughtful integration of workshop activities that have been designed to facilitate the training program while keeping trainees actively involved.
One of the major drawbacks of online training sessions is working in front of a screen the whole time. It can be draining and monotonous for both the trainer and trainees. Usually in a physical setting trainer uses energizers such as physical activities and fun games as a tool to keep participants stimulated.
But how about online workshops?
How training energizer activities can be used in online settings?
On that note, let us find out…
What are Energizers?
Energizers are the key to help participants feel more active and alert. These activities are enjoyable, fun and they are also a very useful tool to understand one another. To simplify, energizers are brief activities used within training groups that are intended to enhance energy. It can be used at the beginning of the session, after long breaks, and in times when participants need the surge of energy.
When participants are engaged, they make are able to connect with the training session and thus more likely to retain information – which has been the priority of the training. Energizers are an essential part of activities for workshops, not just for keeping trainees focus on the program but to help them feel motivated and influenced throughout the session.
Before choosing energizers for your online workshop, you need to figure out what type of activities will be suitable and effective in the training session. Meaning, the type of participants you have and your format for the training program. for instance, if your trainees are visual learners, try involving activities that are oriented to visual engagement. You can also use energizers that are usually used in a live setting, you just need to tailor-make the activities to fit the remote setting.
Here Are Some Of The Best Proven Training Energizer Activities For Online Workshops –
Three wishes
One great activity for initiating a training program is to get participants to talk. With warm-up like three wishes, you can make the activity personal and intimate. With this participant can be encouraged to speak about their three wishes and talk about it with the group. To make it more fun, you can ask trainees to post image or GIF relating to their dreams and other participants can leave comments on that. Both creativity and eagerness can take off with this energizer.
Touch Blue
Can be used in both physical as well as online setting. Touch blue is a simple energizer where participants are supposed to look for blue or something warm and move around to find blue or something warm to touch it. you can even set a timer to make it more spontaneous. This is absolutely a quick version of an energizer to help participants do a little bit of moving.
Guess the Desk
If you are looking for an energizer that helps to incorporate the sense of team then this is it. In guess the desk each participant is going to take a photo of their desk or workstation and send it to the trainer. You can divide your participants into groups and make it competitive and have them guess opponents' desks by casting votes within the groups.
Continue the Story
Another simple yet engaging energizer, in continue the story the trainer can initiate the activity and ask participants (one-by-one) to continue as the story develops until it finds an end. Make trainees feel free to use humor in the story. This is a suitable energizer for lightening the mood and relaxing after a heavy discussion.
For making training activities for workshops in virtual settings, the facilitator needs to make the training program collaborative and interactive. Choosing the right energizer sets the tone for the rest of sessions. While different energizer has a different element, consider what fits your group to ensure each participant are digging the best out of your training session.
Train the Trainer course can allow aspiring trainers to hone their skills and deliver sessions that are able to best achieve training goals while making each participant comfortable during the training program.
Written By : Kalyani Balakrishnan
