Give Clear Expectations For Learner Response

As facilitators we are probably skilled in asking questions, but we often forget to communicate how we would like our learners to respond.

Notice the difference between these Non-Specific Responses and these Specific Responses

Face-to-Face

• Do you have any questions? v If you have a question, please raise your hand.
• Have you finished? v If you have finished, please stand up.
• Has everyone found page 16? v Hands up if you have found page 16.
• Are you ready to continue? v Smile if you are ready to continue.
• Did you have a good lunch? v If you had a good lunch stand up and have a stretch.
• Does everyone understand this? v If this makes sense to you, please smile.
• Has everyone got the new handout v If you have the new handout, please wave it in the air.

 Live Virtual Training

• Do you have any questions? v If you have a question, please click the ‘raise hand’ icon.
• Have you finished? v If you have finished, please type ‘finished’ in the chat area.
• Has everyone found page 16? v Click the Smiley Face emoticon if you’ve have found page 16.
• Are you ready to continue? v Thumbs-up on the webcam when you’re ready to continue.
• Does everyone understand this? v If this makes sense, please smile into your webcam.
• Has everyone got the new handout v If you have the new handout, please type ‘Got It’ in chat.

Because you are giving a specific response mode, learners are more likely to respond to your question.

Ensure that you rephrase your questions with positive language and with responses appropriate for your learners.

Tip – Response modes should be introduced as soon as possible in your workshops (ideally within the first 5 minutes). This helps set the precedence for the entire training.