Effective delivery is more than just presenting content from a set of slides. The ideal virtual class is designed with high interactivity and a focus on participants. Virtual facilitation is becoming a core competency for trainers. Success requires unique skills in audience engagement, creating nontraditional interactivity, sensitivity in how trainers use their voice, and confidence to multitask in a new technical and logistical setting.

How do these skills translate in the field? We asked Kristi Bridges, a business instructor at MetLife and a recent certificate program participant, to answer a few questions about their experience with the Facilitating Virtual Training Certificate program.

1. What is the biggest value you have gotten from participating in the Facilitating Virtual Training Certificate program?

After the class ended, I was given two old presentation decks and asked to use them for virtual training. I revamped the decks and notes to use the virtual techniques I’d learned—hand-raising, pointers, whiteboard comments, chat, emojis, etc. After the classes were over, I received many enthusiastic survey comments, such as this one: “Honestly, this was a really fun and different kind of training, interactive and very informative. I loved it, and Kristi did amazing with walking us through it every step of the way!”

2. What was the moment you knew you had made the right choice by enrolling in the Facilitating Virtual Training Certificate program?

By the end of the first session, my co-workers and I were messaging each other about the techniques the trainer was using, and by the end of the second session, we had begun using the examples to revamp our WebEx introduction for new virtual students.

3. What did we do to prove that you were getting value out of participating in the Facilitating Virtual Training Certificate program?

Constant demonstration. Jennifer didn’t just talk about tools we could use. She used them fluidly and gave us plenty of opportunities to practice.

4. What was your biggest “aha” and/or learning moment during this course?

Realizing how many little ways I could keep the students engaged without them talking over one other.

5. What type of talent development professional do you believe would be a great fit to enroll in this course?

Trainers, design professionals, and even project managers could benefit from this.