Alright, so you're gearing up for your next Cultural Competence training on MS Teams. We all know live sessions can be tricky – keeping your audience engaged is super important. If they're not leaned in, they're tuned out. And when they tune out, the whole point of your session fades away too. That's where engagement comes in. It boosts attendance, keeps eyes glued to the screen, and helps the info stick beyond just the meeting.

Get the World on Your Screen with Magic Maps

Magic Maps is a fun way to kick things off in your session. Imagine asking your team, 'Where in the world are you joining us from?' Each person drops their location in the chat, and just like that, you’ve got a world map lighting up with dots. It’s not just cool to see; it connects your global workforce, making everyone feel part of something bigger. Another great one to try is asking about dream destinations related to cultural experiences or favorite cultural cities they’ve visited. This not only breaks the ice but starts the chat on a cultural note, which is just perfect for Cultural Competence training.

Dig Deeper with Opinion Polls

For those times when you need more open dialogue, Open-Ended Power Polls come to the rescue. Let’s say you’re discussing how cultural awareness can improve team dynamics. Ask an open-ended question like 'What’s one way your team has successfully embraced cultural awareness?' Watch the chat light up with various ideas and experiences from your audience. This not only opens up perspective but encourages sharing beyond what's expected. Later, you can highlight common threads or unique approaches shared.

Measure Opinions with Power Polls

Power Polls are perfect for gathering quick insights or feedback. As you're wrapping up a section on cultural sensitivity best practices, throw out a poll asking which approach they thought was most effective or relevant. You'll get immediate feedback, and your audience will feel their opinions matter. Use it to vote on controversial topics or common misconceptions about cultural competence, directly involving everyone in shaping the session's direction.

Bring In Some Fun with the Winner Wheel

Midway through your session, when folks start to drift, the Winner Wheel is your secret weapon for snapping them back into action. Let’s say you've asked everyone to share a cultural experience or a time they learned something profound about a different culture in the chat. Spin the Winner Wheel to pick a random sharer to win a small prize or receive a special mention. This not only encourages sharing but keeps people eager to participate in chat discussions. Use it to create fun impromptu quizzes – select a random person who answers correctly, adding a layer of excitement and incentive to the session.

Capture Sentiments with Wonder Words

Wonder Words is your go-to for getting a quick read on your audience's thoughts. Kick off with questions like 'What’s one word that comes to mind when you think of cultural respect?' As responses pour in, they visually grow in the word cloud, providing a live snapshot of dominant themes or emotions. Plus, you can quickly address any surprising entries or use the visual as a segue into deeper discussions about biases and perceptions. It's a simple but powerful way to keep the dialogue going and the energy up.

Take the Pressure Off Decisions with Choice Circle

Power Polls are perfect for gathering quick insights or feedback. As you're wrapping up a section on cultural sensitivity best practices, throw out a poll asking which approach they thought was most effective or relevant. You'll get immediate feedback, and your audience will feel their opinions matter. Use it to vote on controversial topics or common misconceptions about cultural competence, directly involving everyone in shaping the session's direction.