Facilitating workshops is part of the job description in nearly every managerial position today. In the field of academics, virtual workshops are frequently more common than in-person meetings anymore, particularly at the higher education level.

Virtual lessons were already gaining popularity in the past two decades, starting with video recordings through tele-lessons and teleconferences, but since the pandemic of COVID-19, their use has skyrocketed. While there are various video conferencing software choices you can use to host a virtual workshop, one of the most popular is Zoom.

In a Zoom conference, participants connect with the facilitator (you) and other audience members to share materials, information, lessons, and feedback virtually. The technology provided by Zoom helps you to collaborate in training sessions, offer tutorials, and record live lessons for future repeated viewing. As with any new skill, you must master its basics at a foundational level before you can use this technology to run a virtual workshop.

What Zoom Can Do for You

By now, you’ve heard of Zoom, and most likely have been on the participant end of a meeting with a host who used the platform. Zoom is a software tool that brings hosts and participants face-to-face in a virtual gathering. Because the software offers support across multiple platforms, you can invite anyone to your event, regardless of where they are in the world.

Zooms can be used to make a fast audio-only conference call, a video webinar, a gathering of family members spread out across long distances, and for many other purposes. People have found ways to use Zoom’s platform to connect during quarantine, play games, watch movies together, and otherwise keep in touch while isolated.

For you as an academic presenter, this app has a multitude of benefits. Zoom’s app integrations allow you to work with multiple virtual tools to boost audience engagement and transfer of knowledge. From breakout rooms to chats, interactive whiteboards, polls, and beyond, the more you know about Zoom, the better your facilitation during your virtual workshop can be.

How to Run a Virtual Workshop Easily

Ready to get started making an impact with your virtual workshop? Use these Zoom features and the platform’s video support to master them.

●      Breakout rooms: Pair audience members up to complete discussions or activities, then bring them back into the whole group for a review of their findings.

●      Use polls and surveys: Want to know how your audience is engaging on a topic? Use a quick poll or survey to find out if they’re comprehending the lesson, need more time, or have questions.

●      Share your screen: Sometimes, it’s easier for you to explain something if the audience could see what you were doing. With Zoom, you can share your screen, then shut it off.

●      Make a live recording: Do you have something you know others will want to learn about, but can’t attend the meeting? Record the live session, both audio and video, and you can share it for others to refer back to the content later. A benefit of this is that you can use the Zoom lessons to reflect on your teaching style, how well you feel like you got the point across, and how you can grow as a facilitator.

Another interesting tool that you can integrate with Zoom is a background change so your audience doesn’t see your office or home. It’s always more exciting to be in a meeting when it seems like you’re floating in space or listening to the instructor in the middle of a live volcano! Change your background to increase your audience engagement, and you’ll be amazed at the difference in participation.

Add Your New Skills to Your Impactio Profile

Are you a newly-minted “Zoom master”? Make sure you add this skill to your resume and all your professional profiles, like Impactio. Your network of connected scholars could be looking for someone with your talents and experience to help them with their next research project or funding source.

With its reach spreading across the globe, Impactio has made a significant influence on the research community. These experts, like you, are always looking for ways to improve their scholarly reputation, and you can use Impactio to take your career to the next level.