There are many benefits to having online trainings such as:
• Cost and time saving – saves travel costs and time for commuting, travelling or even for staying overnight.
• Flexibilityyou can join the training anytime, anywhere, and from any device. It doesn’t matter if you have your smartphone, tablet or desktop computer close at hand.
• Accessibility – the training content can be recorded at any time and played back later.
However, there are also few limitations which need to be addressed. The participants enjoy a higher level of anonymity when attending an online event, you need to constantly fight for their attention (with e.g. emails, mobile phones, family or colleagues) and motivate them to contribute to the discussions. So when you are conducting an online training we recommend using various online tools that can help you tackle these limitations.
The main purpose of the online tools in training is to enhance interactivity, support better focus and engagement of participants in the training, with the aim to maximise the learning effect by achieving experience and subsequent awareness.
Experiential learning is one of the most effective forms of learning. This is a different approach to learning, when people are presented with experiences instead of just raw data, charts and tables. If we experience something interesting first-hand, it creates real memories which will last much longer than just heard information.
Today, experiential learning is mainly used for:
• strengthening of personality development
• self-knowledge
• influencing people’s attitudes
• better team cooperation
• knowledge of team roles
• revealing the strengths and weaknesses of teamwork
• leading of people
• development of creativity
• strengthening spontaneity
Here, we present to you different online tools which you can use if you are doing trainings or organising workshops online.
ZOOM
Description
Zoom is a cloud-based video conferencing service you can use to virtually meet with others, either by video or audio-only or both, all while conducting live chats. It also lets you record those sessions to view later. It brings teams together, reimagines workspace and engages your audience.
Options
• Team chat – connect your teams and streamline communications with instant messaging with the goal to enhance collaboration
• Online whiteboards – brainstorm, plan and learn with your participants
• Breakout rooms – divide participants into smaller groups
• Conference room systems – bring meeting space online and increase the engagement and initiatives of the participants
• Email and Calendar – send and receive messages and calendar invitations
• Live reactions and a function of raised hand – your participants can express their impressions with the way the training is going by using „live reactions“ buttons or if they have a question, they can use the button „raise hand“ so they do not interrupt the speaker.
• Live polls – you can create your polls in a second and your training will be more engaging
• Document sharing – share the discussed materials or applications or the entire screen. You can shift this functionality to any participant.
• Recording – record trainings so the participants can later play them back, comment on them, or send them to other colleagues who were not able to attend.
Usability
• Virtual meetings
• Video conferences
• Audio conferences
• Online webinars
• Online trainings
• Intuitive and easy to use
Google Meet
Description
Google Meet is a service for secure video meetings and high-quality calls, available to everyone on any device.
Google Meet was designed specifically for large-scale video conferences that can be joined with a link or a code. Its target demographic are businesses and organisations. You can start a video call, and then share the link or code or invite people via email.
Options
• Activities
• Whiteboarding – collaboratively brainstorm and sketch ideas
• Miro – white board application with tools and templates The Visual Collaboration Platform for Every Team | Miro
• Breakout rooms – the coach can use breakout rooms to divide participants into smaller groups during the training
• Team chat – connect your teams and streamline communications with instant messaging with the goal to enhance collaboration
• Live reactions and a function of raised hand – your participants can express their impressions with the way the training is going by using „live reactions“ buttons or if they have a question, they can use the button „raise hand“ so they do not interrupt the speaker.
• Document sharing – share the discussed materials or applications or the entire screen. You can shift this functionality to any participant.
• Closed captions – you can use this functionality to improve the mutual understanding of the participants
Usability
• Virtual meetings
• Video conferences
• Online webinars
• Online trainings
Accessibility for everyone
Microsoft Teams
Description
Microsoft Teams is a corporate platform that enables text communication, video calls, data storage for file storage and the integration of other applications into this environment. The service is integrated in the Office 365 subscription. The platform also allows you to integrate products from other companies.
Options
• Team chat – connect your teams and streamline communications with instant messaging with the goal to enhance collaboration
• Breakout rooms – divide participants into smaller groups
• Document sharing – share the discussed materials or applications or the entire screen. You can shift this functionality to any participant.
• Closed captions and audio transcriptions – you can use this functionality to improve the mutual understanding of the participants
• Live reactions and a function of raised hand – your participants can express their impressions with the way the training is going by using “live reactions” buttons or if they have a question, they can use the button „raise hand“ so they do not interrupt the speaker.
• Conference room systems – bring meeting space online and increase the engagement and initiatives of the participants
Extra options when you invite people to join your organisation
• File sharing – when working together, you can upload any files that you want to share with the rest of the team, they can just easily download them to their computer or make changes directly in the files
• Team rooms – Participants can “move” between the different “rooms” in the Teams environment and collaborate on different tasks and topics
Usability
• Online meetings
• Trainings
• Webinars
• Accessibility for everyone
• Uses also closed captions, audio transcription, and live reactions
WebEx
Description
WebEx is a solution that allows you to organise or participate in online meetings with anyone from anywhere. You can share the same content with your participants or colleagues in real time, whether it’s documents, PowerPoint presentations or websites. Participants can work on joint assignments with their remote team. Unlike other solutions, it is more focused on working with shared documents, but it can mediate a video conference connection just as well.
Options
• Team chat – connect your teams and streamline communications with instant messaging with the goal to enhance collaboration
• Online whiteboards – brainstorm, plan and learn with your participants
• Breakout rooms – divide participants into smaller groups
• Conference room systems – bring meeting space online and increase the engagement and initiatives of the participants
• Calendar – you can connect WebEx to your calendar
• Live reactions and a function of raised hand – your participants can express their impressions with the way the training is going by using “live reactions” buttons or if they have a question, they can use the button „raise hand“ so they do not interrupt the speaker.
• Moving to a mobile device – WebEx enables easy switch to other devices while still being present at the training, which gives the participants greater flexibility
• Recording – record meetings (audio, video, chat), so the participant can later play them back, comment on them, or send them to other colleagues who were not able to attend the training. All the while access to recorded materials is unique for each company.
• Document sharing – share the discussed materials, the application, as well as the entire screen. Participants can primarily see the screen of the organiser of the meeting, but he can shift this functionality to any participant. In case the presenter does not want to share the entire desktop with the participants, WebEx allows him to make available only a specific application or pre-prepared documents.
Usability
• Virtual meetings
• Video conferences
• Audio conferences
• Online webinars
• Online trainings
• Easy connection
• Safety
Sli.do
Description
Sli.do is an easy to use Q&A and polling platform. It helps people to get the most out of trainings and workshops by bridging the gap between speakers and their audiences. From internal communications professionals to trainers, team leaders, conference organisers and individual presenters, Sli.do can be used by anyone looking to enable open conversation at a live meeting.
Options
• Live polls – create your polls in a second and your training will be more engaging
• Live Q&A – participants can ask questions:
• anonymously
• without downloads or logins
• live or in advance
• Word cloud – you will spark a conversation with your participants by letting them generate a live word cloud.
• Quizzes – your training will be more engaging and energising for your participants with live quiz maker.
• Surveys – you can collect instant feedback from your participants and then visualise the results.
• Analytics – you can gain valuable insights about your audience
• Integrations – you can bring Sli.do to your presentation or training and interact without switching between applications.
Usability
• Virtual meetings
• Hybrid meetings
• Virtual events
• All – Hands meetings
• Webinars (in-room as well as online)
• Trainings (in-room as well as online)
• Conferences (in-room as well as online)
Kahoot
Description
Kahoot! is a game-based learning platform, used as educational technology. It has learning games, also known as “kahoots”, they are user-generated multiple-choice quizzes that can be accessed via a web browser or the Kahoot! application. Kahoot! also includes trivia quizzes. This educational platform is similar to other technological learning tools such as Wooflash, Blooket, Quizziz, Gimkit, or Quizlet.
Options
• Fun quizzes – make your training more engaging, energising and fun for your participants with live quiz maker
• Live polls – create your polls in a second and your training will be more engaging
• Live Q&A – participants can ask questions:
• anonymously
• without downloads or logins
• live or in advance
Usability
• Virtual meetings
• Hybrid meetings
• Virtual events
• All – Hands meetings
• Webinars (in-room as well as online)
• Trainings (in-room as well as online)
• Conferences (in-room as well as online)
Wheel Decide
Description
Wheel Decide is a free online spinner tool that allows you to create your own digital wheel.
Sometimes a simple coin flip is all you need to make a decision, but a coin only has two sides. With Wheel Decide, you can flip a coin with 100 sides. Wheels for decision making, prize giveaways, raffles, games, and more.
Options
Games:
The wheel is a versatile tool that can be forged into fun group games like Catch Phrase, Truth or Dare, Celebrity, or Cards Against Humanity.
It replaces spinners, dice and playing cards. You can also use it to build teams and decide who goes first.
If you want your trainings to be more fun and energetic, you can use the Wheel Decide as a base for discussion, debate, trivia, improvisation and so on. Spin the wheel of categories to involve the participants more and break the monotony of a linear experience.
Training:
Pick a random participant in group to answer a question or participate in an activity.
Spin a wheel of questions, topics. This is a great substitute for studying with flashcards, and since the topics shuffle, everyone stays on their toes.
Use the wheel to randomly assign groups or teams. You can also randomly assign tasks to teams or individuals. Unlike you or your colleagues, the Wheel Decide has no biases.
Follow-up:
You can use the wheel as a quiz method, when you insert questions into the wheel, the answers to which will be used by the participants as an educational material.
Usability
• Virtual meetings
• Hybrid meetings
• Virtual events
• All – Hands meetings
• Webinars (in-room as well as online)
• Trainings (in-room as well as online)
• Conferences (in-room as well as online)
Zero Dice
Description
The Zero Dice challenge is to use all the dice images in your story or action description. If the audience doesn’t buy it or you take too long, you fail the test and take a story consequence. The more dice, the greater the challenge.
You will select the type of dice you want and then press the button for how many. You can use the Keep check boxes to lock a die and then re-roll the others. For example, you can roll two images, keep them, and then roll four Fate by clicking on Roll 6.
Options
• Energizer – if you want your trainings to be more fun and energetic, you can use the Zero Dice as a base for discussions and debates about various topics. Spin the dice and involve the participants more, break the monotony of a linear experience.
• Ice-break – “break the ice” in the room and create an atmosphere of trust and safety
• Introduction – use it for the introduction of the participants so they can get to know each other better
• Visual thinking – work with the symbols to help participants to access their visual thinking as a complement to their verbal thinking
Usability
• Virtual meetings
• Online webinars
• Online trainings
Quizizz
Description
Quizizz is a game-based learning platform, used as educational technology, where you can find and create gamified quizzes, lessons, presentations, and flashcards for students, employees, and everyone else. This educational platform is similar to other technological learning tools such as Kahoot, Wooflash, Blooket, Gimkit, or Quizlet.
Options
• Fun quizzes – The platform has multiple options for gameplay, and pleasant visual interface
• Live entertainment – create your presentations, quizzes and polls
• Assessment and eLearning – Asynchronous concept checks and study tools
• Insights and Reporting – Meaningful feedback for everyone
Usability
• Desktop work and teaching
• Workshops and training events (in-room as well as online)
• Virtual meetings and webinars
• Hybrid meetings
• All – Hands meetings
• Trainings Conferences (in-room as well as online)
Mentimeter
Description
Mentimeter is a presentation tool that is designed to work digitally, live. Unlike a PowerPoint or Slides presentation, this tool allows coaches to interact with the participants in real time, take a poll, present a quiz, and more. It creates a more engaging environment for participants and helps them learn more effectively.
This tool can be used via a web browser, making it simple to access it from nearly any device. Dedicated apps also help to make it even easier for participants to use it on their own smartphones and tablets wherever they are.
Options
• Dynamic Word Clouds – A way to visualise your audience’s ideas
• Live and Instant Polling – Let your audience answer any question you may have for them
• Entertaining Quizzes– Run factual, fun, or icebreaker quizzes
• Informative Q&As – Let your audience ask questions without the fuss
• Interactive Survey Maker – Quickly and easily gather feedback from everyone in your audience with Mentimeter’s survey feature.
• Online Presentation Maker – More than just interactive slides, Mentimeter makes building impressive presentations
• Integration with other tools – It is possible to integrate Mentimeter within the likes of PowerPoint or Zoom, for example
Usability
• Live classroom
• Remote education
• Desktop work and teaching
• Workshops and training events (in-room as well as online)
• Virtual meetings and webinars
• Hybrid meetings
• Trainings Conferences (in-room as well as online)
Miro
Description
Miro is an online collaborative whiteboard and visual collaboration platform that allows teams to collaborate in real-time on a virtual canvas. Miro provides a digital space where teams can create, share, and collaborate on various types of visual content, such as whiteboards, diagrams, flowcharts, webinars, blogs, and more.
Options
• Online whiteboard – A digital tool that simulates a traditional whiteboard typically used in classrooms, meetings, or brainstorming sessions.
• Online Diagrams – A digital representation of a visual diagram or chart that can be created, edited, and shared online.
• Online Flowcharts – A digital diagram that represents a sequence of steps or processes in a visual manner, often using shapes, arrows, and text to illustrate the flow of information or tasks.
• Miro Webinars – A live or pre-recorded presentation, workshop, or seminar that is delivered over the internet to an audience of remote participants.
• Blog – A regularly updated website or online platform where an individual or a group of individuals, known as bloggers, share their thoughts, opinions, ideas, experiences.
Usability
• Blog
Wordwall
Description
Wordwall is an online platform that allows educators to create and customise interactive teaching resources. It offers a wide range of tools and templates for creating activities such as quizzes, flashcards, word games, puzzles, and interactive presentations.
Options
• wide range of tools and templates for creating interactive activities such as quizzes, flashcards, word games, puzzles, and interactive presentations
• possibility to incorporate multimedia elements like images, videos, and audio into training resources
• options for customization – coaches can adapt the activities to suit the specific needs and learning goals of their participants
• quizzes that support various question types, including multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, matching, and open-ended questions
• built-in analytics to track participants progress and performance
• collaboration with other coaches and educators – possibility to share resources with others and access a library of pre-made activities created by fellow educators.
• gamification elements, such as timed challenges or leaderboards to make the review process more enjoyable and motivating
Usability
• Create interactive teaching resources
• Customise activities to match specific learning goals
• Incorporate multimedia elements like images, videos, and audio into training material
• Wide range of activity templates available
• Track student progress and performance through built-in analytic
• Share and access resources created by other educators
• Great for review, revision, and personalised learning
