79 Tips for Absolutely Great Teleclasses

53 Pages·2006·0.343 MB·English

by  Ida Shessel

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Ida Shessel
Author of Meeting with Success
79 Tips for
Absolutely Great
Teleclasses
Ida Shessel
Second Edition
Oshawa, Ontario
79 Tips for Absolutely Great Teleclasses
by Ida Shessel
Acquisitions Editor: Kevin Aguanno
Typesetting: Tak Keung Sin
Cover Design: Cheung Hoi
Published by:
Multi-Media Publications Inc.
Box 58043, Rosslynn RPO, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, L1J 8L6.
http://www.mmpubs.com/
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording
or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission
from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
Copyright © 2006 by Multi-Media Publications Inc.
ISBN (Adobe PDF ebook): 1-895186-94-3
ISBN (Microsoft LIT ebook): 1-895186-95-1
ISBN (Mobipocket PRC ebook): 1-895186-96-X
ISBN (Palm PDB ebook): 1-895186-97-8
Published in Canada.
Formerly published in 2003 by Let Us Facilitate under ISBN 0-9731784-9-3.
http://www.letusfacilitate.com
Table of Contents
Notes to Reader.......................................................... 5
Planning the Teleclass................................................. 7
Using Technology and Equipment
Effectively............................................................. 11
Getting the Teleclass Started..................................... 15
Establishing Rapport over the Telephone.................. 19
Creating a Learning Environment ............................ 23
Using Voice and Language Effectively........................ 29
Ending the Teleclass ................................................. 31
Following Up After the Teleclass............................... 33
Promoting Your Teleclasses to the World................... 35
What do you Need to Make your Teleclasses More
Effective?.............................................................. 39
About the Author...................................................... 41
79 Tips for Absolutely Great Teleclasses
4
CHAPTER ONE
Notes to Reader
A
teleclass is a training session conducted over the
telephone in the form of a conference call, on what
is sometimes referred to as a “bridge line.” The
preferred length of a session is one hour. Participants
typically incur the cost of a long-distance telephone call,
which is based on their existing calling plan. The teleclass
leader may or may not charge a fee for the class as well.
The size of a teleclass can range from one person to
hundreds of participants. Whereas most of the tips in this
ebook are applicable to any size of group, some tips are more
relevant to small classes.
5
79 Tips for Absolutely Great Teleclasses
6
CHAPTER TWO
Planning the Teleclass
1
Aim for successful learning sessions over the
telephone by making sure that you incorporate the
following elements: effective content, exciting
interaction, good facilitation, good-quality audio
equipment, and competent technical coordination.
2
Be aware of time-zone differences when planning
teleclasses. If you are expecting participants from a
wide geographic area, conduct the class at a time
that is suitable for as many people as possible.
7
79 Tips for Absolutely Great Teleclasses
3
State the time for your classes in terms of Eastern
standard time (same as New York). You can then
indicate the times for each of the other time zones in
which participants live, or direct people to
www.timeanddate.com to find the corresponding local time
for the classes.
4
Send participants all the information they need to
correctly access the call. Provide them with the dial-
in number, participant pass code or PIN number (if
applicable), start time, and teleclass leader’s name. Send
them a reminder the day before each teleclass.
5
Send a short questionnaire before the teleclass
sessions begin in order to gather information about
participants’ experience in and level of knowledge of
the topic of your classes. This will help you plan sessions
that are neither too basic nor too advanced.
6
Adapt a face-to-face workshop to the teleclass format
by dividing the workshop material into one-hour
time blocks. Establish an objective for each session
that includes a maximum of three or four main points. You
may need to add some discussion, include some case studies
or role plays, or conduct brainstorming sessions.
8
2 - Planning the Teleclass
7
Send out a class outline or agenda beforeeach
session. This gives the participants an idea of what
to expect. It also provides you withan outline to
follow.
8
Plan how you will conduct your teleclass. Draw a
large clock face and then write in what you will
cover in each segment. For example, during the first
10 minutes: conduct an introductory exercise, introduce the
agenda and set the protocol; during the next 35
minutes:achieve the objective using specific interactive
techniques and relevant examples; during the last 15
minutes: conduct summary activity, describe homework
assignment, and answer any remaining questions.
9
Sign up for teleclasses so you can learn from other
teleclass instructors. Make note of the techniques
that work well and those that do not. Listen for how
questions are phrased, if and how participation is
encouraged, how difficult situations and people are handled,
and so on.
1 0
Have your attendance list in alphabetical
order so you can quickly and easily find
participants’ names as they join the class.
This is practical only for groups of up to 20 participants.
9