Hey there, live session hosts! Have you ever noticed when your audience's eyes start glazing over, or when their little Zoom video squares just light up as "AWAY"? It’s like, hello! The reason to be live is to engage, connect, and keep everyone on the edge of their virtual seats, right? It’s all about making sure your audience isn't just there, but truly present. Engaging your audience is not just good for keeping spirits high or having a bit of fun; it’s key to ensuring your training on bias reduction really sticks. When people are actively involved, they’re more likely to pay attention, be encouraged to attend future sessions, and—to the core of it—remember what you taught them.
Start Your Session with Magic Maps
Kick off your bias reduction session by getting folks to type in where they're Zooming in from using Magic Maps. It’s an excellent way to make everyone feel seen from the get-go. Ask them, "Where in the world are you joining us from today?" or take it up a notch with something like, "Which place in the world holds the most cherished memories of community for you?" Watch your map populate in real time with colorful dots, giving everyone a visual cue of just how diverse and worldwide your live gathering is. It’s not just a map—it’s an instant icebreaker that lays the foundation for understanding and appreciating diversity.
Explore Perspectives with Open-Ended Opinion Polls
One of the best ways to draw out diverse viewpoints is through open-ended Opinion Polls. During your bias reduction exercises, pose questions like "What's one new thing you’ve learned today about unconscious bias?" or "What strategies have worked for you in reducing bias?" The answers, collected live, can guide the discussion, and sometimes hearing others’ experiences can illuminate more nuanced understandings of bias.
Engage with Insightful Power Polls
Polls are great for gathering insights quickly, but they can also be a tool for learning. Use Power Polls during your session to ask thought-provoking questions like "How often do you reflect on your own biases?" or "What barriers do you see in reducing bias?" Your audience just has to type in a number or short response, and voila! You get instant feedback. Not only does this keep the attendees engaged, but it also tailors your session to their real-world experiences, making it more impactful.
Keep the Energy High with the Winner Wheel
Who doesn't like a little excitement during a Zoom meeting? Use the Winner Wheel to keep things lively. Let's say you prompt your attendees to share an instance where they realized an unconscious bias and how it changed their perspective. Spin the wheel to pick someone whose story gets a shoutout or maybe even a small prize. It creates a sense of anticipation and reward, making your session not just another lecture, but an interactive experience. It also motivates those quiet attendees to speak up, contributing valuable perspectives that others might learn from.
Visualize Key Thoughts with Wonder Words
To wrap up or highlight critical points during your sessions, Wonder Words brings everyone's thoughts into one cohesive visual. Ask something light yet meaningful like "What’s one word that comes to mind when you think of unconscious bias?" As everyone throws their words into the chat, watch them form into a word cloud, with popular terms growing bigger. It's a great way to see collective insights and reminds participants of the core themes that resonated during your session.
Make Decisions Fun with Choice Circle
Polls are great for gathering insights quickly, but they can also be a tool for learning. Use Power Polls during your session to ask thought-provoking questions like "How often do you reflect on your own biases?" or "What barriers do you see in reducing bias?" Your audience just has to type in a number or short response, and voila! You get instant feedback. Not only does this keep the attendees engaged, but it also tailors your session to their real-world experiences, making it more impactful.