With the ever-increasing pace of life, attention is more scarce than ever these days towards real online engagement, learning and communication. We flip channels, YouTube playlists, Spotify songs, and other online content faster than you can say ‘Zoom, zoom, zoom a zoom.’
Cultural context: if you grew up in North America in the 70’s you’ll recognize this children’s show, the name of which has taken on a whole other meaning now for obvious reasons.
Added to our ever increasingly fast paced world, the typical online events, meetings, and workshops tend to be boring, repetitive, uninteresting, flat, and stale.
Be honest, are these words you’d use to describe the last online interaction you had?
Aside from the endless meetings, you’ve got I.W.T.G.D. (important work to get done), and need to get it done online at that.
So how do you nab people’s attention, get them engaged and all pulling together?
It’s not that hard if you have a few innovative, engaging tech tools in your pocket. Pull these out for your next online gathering and you’ll have people connecting, contributing, and effecting change in no time. And you’ll look like a star to boot.
Take a peek at the tools below and pick the ones that work for you.
Make sure to pick a variety so your participants can see, hear AND take action/do something.
See
- You know those memes you’re constantly coming across on social media, the ones that can make you giggle and snort or say ‘ah ha!’ to yourself? Now you can easily make your own with this meme generator.
Hear
- Need to do screen captures, with or without you in the video, say to explain a document, help someone navigate a website etc? Try Loom. You can easily make free, easy screen captures to share.
Do
- Everyone loves a puzzle! Make a crossword puzzle based on the subject matter you’re working with. This tool automatically makes both a pdf version and an online/fillable version to boot.
Online doesn’t have to mean boring. Amp up your online engagement, learning and communication with some clever uses of tools like a meme generator, screen recording and/or a crossword puzzle.
Like what you've found so far? To learn more, we recommend checking out our Course, "Ban Boring Online Meetings."
Learn More >Now go on and learn, laugh and lead
Learn
- Play around with the tools I’ve suggested and pick one to practice with. Whether it be the meme generator, screen capture using Loom or creating a crossword, relax and have some fun.
Laugh
- Feeling adventurous for your next online meeting? See if you can do the pass the pen challenge.
Lead
- Now that you’ve had some practice, use your new tool during your next online engagement. Your future participants will thank you.
P.S. Want to receive invitations to my monthly (in person at the UN and online) Roundtables? Easy peasy. Sign up here.
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