-This post is the third installment in the 3-part series of guest posts by NWETC Instructor Mike Fraidenburg. Mike will be presenting our new webinar, "Facilitating Remote and Online Meetings-Essential Success Skills" in August.

Facilitating in the online environment is quite different from in-person facilitation. The following ideas are designed to help you before, during and after an online event.

1. Before The Online Meeting Starts
   • Familiarize yourself with the delivery structure and the site/platform
   • Develop an online delivery plan/schedule
   • Check that all resources, activities and links work (i.e. they open in a new window), are current and relevant to the meeting purpose
   • Update your contact information
   • Contact learners, welcome them to the event, provide clear log-in instructions, and give them a contact person for any technology problems
      
2. At The Beginning Of The Online Meeting
   • Check that learners can log-in and provide support and troubleshoot as needed
   • Make sure participants know why you are meeting, the specific deliverables to be produced, and how much authority they have been delegated.
   • Facilitate introductions and community-building activities at beginning of the course e.g. have everyone introduce themselves in a café style forum
   • Set clear expectations
   • Emphasize the importance of interactions and that online communication between participants is key to building community and contributes to the meeting outcomes, profiles, forums, chats etc.
   • Encourage sharing of experiences
      
3. During The Online Meeting
   • Be a positive online role model
   • Challenge participants but don’t overwhelm them
   • Respond to concerns as they come up, don’t ignore them
   • Provide guidance and direction to participants when needed
   • Encourage online communication between participants
   • Ask thought provoking questions; especially knowing when to ask open-ended and closed-ended questions
   • Provide technical and other support as required
   • Provide positive encouragement and feedback
   • Monitor progress, participation in activities, and completion of tasks
   • Create follow-up commitments and accountability as required
      
4. After The Online Course Finishes
   • Wrap-up the meeting and  thank participants
   • Create evaluations of the meeting process for developmental feedback
   • Review participant feedback and make recommendations for improvement
   • Engage in your own self-reflection for improvement in your online facilitation skills

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© Michael E. Fraidenburg 2014