Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 26

CAREFUL SETUP
Compared to in-person and even
virtual classes, hybrid setup requires
more intentional planning. Facilitator
preparation for a traditional, in-person
training class largely centers on content.
Virtual facilitator preparation activities
include ensuring the online classroom
details are clearly communicated and
setting up interaction tools like polls and
whiteboards. All of these items are still
important for hybrid learning, but the
emphasis must shift to mainly focus on
the participant experience.
In other words, hybrid facilitators need
to not only prepare their content and
set up the virtual classroom, but they
also need to plan ahead for participant
involvement. They must clearly set
expectations for both on-site and off-site
participants and ensure that everyone,
regardless of location, has a device that
can connect to the virtual classroom for
convenient collaboration.
They also need to carefully consider the
other items on this list, starting with audio.
CLEAR AUDIO
When participants are scattered among
various locations, audio difficulties can
quickly make conversation difficult.
In-person participants are often hard
to hear, and remote participants can have
choppy connections. A key priority for
hybrid success is to purposefully place
microphones around the classroom space
so that everyone speaking can be easily
heard. You can also use an audio device
that captures all onsite voices clearly. It's
important for remote attendees to use
noise-canceling headsets or microphones
with high-quality sound.
If those solutions are not possible,
then the facilitator must intentionally
repeat on-site participant statements
so that offsite attendees feel part of
the conversation. This extraneous step
can quickly become cumbersome. To
truly have a shared hybrid learning
experience, audio clarity must be a
top priority.
COMMON VIDEO
Video bridges the location gap
between hybrid attendees. Each remote
participant should be on camera, and
the in-person classroom should be fully
visible on screen. The mechanics to
make this work well depend upon the
classroom setup. Ideally, one camera
captures everyone in its view. However,
multiple webcams may be necessary.
If each on-site participant connects via
The key to making
hybrid classes work
well is to create a
shared experience
between in-person
and remote attendees.
device, then their personal video may
be the best option.
The simplest way to incorporate video
is to install a video conferencing system
specifically designed for hybrid learning.
These systems include cameras and
screens that help all participants easily
see one another. Hybrid room kits
are now readily available from many
vendors, some with installation support,
which can help your organization
configure the best possible video setup.
In addition, be sure to give remote
attendees the necessary tools to avoid
video fatigue, such as teaching them to
hide their self-view, or taking frequent
webcam breaks.
CONSISTENT DEVICES
When participants gather for a hybrid
class,
WHAT IS
HYBRID LEARNING?
Hybrid classes are facilitator-led,
synchronous training events that have
a mixture of in-person and online
audiences. Some participants
are together in a room while
others join individually from
remote locations via a virtual
platform. The facilitator is
usually in-person with the
on-site participants.
it should be for discussion,
dialogue, collaboration or practice. To
allow for this type of shared interaction,
each participant needs equal access
to collaboration tools. For example, if
an activity requires input via polling,
then everyone needs access to the poll
questions. Or, if they are to brainstorm
on a whiteboard, then everyone should
be able to use the whiteboard. Yes, it's
possible to have the in-person attendees
write on a physical whiteboard and the
remote attendees use a digital one, but
that's not an equal learning experience.
The solution is to ensure that everyone,
both on-site and off-site, has a device
connected to the same virtual tools.
The device can be a laptop, tablet or
smartphone. Just be sure that onsite
participants don't connect to audio, to
avoid unwanted echo. In addition, check
to see that there's enough bandwidth
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Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023
