Online Openings
Summary
First contacts create a lasting impression. The first 10 minutes of any initial meeting between two people lays the groundwork for almost all assumptions and decisions about the ensuing relationship. The opening of virtual online training session should accomplish the same things that an in-person opening accomplishes. It should include an initial assessment of the learners' skill level; establish session expectations and norms; identify who is in the group; promote interest and enthusiasm; and put participants at ease. Using the multimedia presentation tool, Prezi, learners can create a short presentation to post on the Learning Management System (LMS) to introduce themselves, their backgrounds, and their interests. The goal of this activity is to provide learners with a chance to get to know the other learners in a new course environment. This chapter discusses the strategies to assist in creating connections among participants virtually and increasing engagement.