Last updated on Aug 13, 2024

You're leading a large group training session with technical issues. How can you keep everyone engaged?

Leading a large group training session can be daunting, especially when faced with technical issues that threaten to derail the experience. As a facilitator, it's crucial to maintain engagement and momentum, ensuring that participants remain focused and receptive despite any hiccups. Technical glitches are often unexpected, but your ability to handle them with grace can turn a potential disaster into an opportunity for enhanced learning and participant resilience. Here are strategies to keep your session on track and your audience captivated.

1 Stay Calm

When technical issues arise, your composure sets the tone for the group's reaction. Remain calm and assure the participants that you are addressing the problem. Use humor if appropriate to lighten the mood, and maintain a confident demeanor. This can prevent panic and keep the group's attention. A calm approach also allows you to think more clearly about alternative solutions or adjustments to the session plan, ensuring that the training continues smoothly.

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2 Engage Directly

Engage with your audience by asking questions, encouraging discussion, and inviting feedback. This direct engagement keeps participants involved and can help distract from the technical issues. It also provides valuable insight into their understanding of the material, which can guide your facilitation strategy. By fostering an interactive environment, you not only maintain engagement but also promote a collaborative learning atmosphere.

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Denis Radoiu ,PMP

Senior Operations Delivery Manager at Stefanini EMEA
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Do not face the problem alone, avoid concealing the issue, and be ready to alter the format of your presentation if necessary: no slides, no notes, no microphone—rely solely on your engaging presence.

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3 Utilize Backups

Always have a backup plan for when technology fails. Whether it's printed materials, offline activities, or alternative presentation methods, being prepared with supplementary resources ensures that the training can continue without significant interruption. This preparedness demonstrates your professionalism and commitment to the participants' learning experience, reinforcing their confidence in the session.

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Denis Radoiu ,PMP

Senior Operations Delivery Manager at Stefanini EMEA
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Good preparation often eliminates many problems, but when all else fails, technical difficulties are a common part of life that everyone understands. Employ humor and engage the audience for assistance; someone might just have that spare AAA battery you need.

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4 Simplify Content

If technical issues limit your ability to present complex information, simplify the content. Focus on key concepts that can be effectively communicated without the need for technology. This might involve more storytelling, analogies, or real-world examples that resonate with the group. Simplifying content under challenging circumstances can lead to a more memorable and impactful learning experience.

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5 Foster Teamwork

Encourage participants to work in small groups or pairs. This not only keeps them engaged but also promotes peer learning and networking. Teamwork activities can be particularly useful when technical issues prevent you from delivering content in the usual manner. These interactions can yield creative solutions and insights that benefit the entire group.

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6 Adapt Quickly

Lastly, be ready to adapt your facilitation approach on the fly. Flexibility is key in managing large groups, especially when faced with technical difficulties. This might mean reordering the session agenda, shortening some sections, or extending discussions on topics that require less technological support. Quick adaptation ensures that participants remain engaged and that learning objectives are still met.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Ravi Kiran Muddha

Team Leader, Global Quality Solutions International
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This happened literally twice with me (1 was offline and 1 was online). First thing is accept that there are technical issues and stay cool and look out for avenues that can make the training or facilitation possible. Have patience and proceed with the training. These are situations where you can actually demonstrate "walk the talk."

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Kavitha Rao

Director - Talent Management, Leadership Training & Growth at Learners Route
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Anticipate such issues. Firstly, it's okay and happens to best of planners. Every good trainer has additional ways to engage up their sleeve. These are times to use them. Secondly, it's always good to have content on cloud for such situations. It can be accessed from other systems or helps to replan the flow.

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Shalini Srivastava

Professional Certified Coach | Leadership Coach | Business Transformation Consultant | HR Consultant | Interim CHRO | Angel Investor
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I would look at it as a great opportunity to convert the presentation training into a group activity or a workshop. As a trainer, I know the objective that I need to facilitate for the group, so would use a different method to achieve it. One thing for sure … not to get hassled and take the situation in the stride. I have faced this situation a couple of times and we finally had a very impactful session with change in methodology.

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Large Group Facilitation

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You're leading a large group training session with technical issues. How can you keep everyone engaged?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Stay Calm

2 Engage Directly

3 Utilize Backups

4 Simplify Content

5 Foster Teamwork

6 Adapt Quickly

7 Here’s what else to consider

Large Group Facilitation

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You're leading a large group training session with technical issues. How can you keep everyone engaged?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Stay Calm

2 Engage Directly

3 Utilize Backups

4 Simplify Content

5 Foster Teamwork

6 Adapt Quickly

7 Here’s what else to consider

Large Group Facilitation

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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