Universities and businesses have shifted fast and furiously to online platforms such as Zoom, Cisco Webex, Microsoft Teams, GoToWebinar, GoToMeeting, and Google Hangouts. To write this article I collaborated about best practices with , a management communications consultant and professor who advises faculty at top business schools and executives about how to enhance the effectiveness of their teaching and communications.
Many presenters we've spoken to find themselves covering less content each session. It's attributed to checking in more often to ask questions that make sure participants are engaged and processing the information, since we no longer have facial expressions as indicators. Presentation skills need to be adapted as audience attention spans can waver due to more distractions and multi-tasking that are now hidden from view.
There’s a need to be even more energetic and faster paced when presenting. Slow, quiet speech can cause participants to tune out. Variety in tone of voice and facial expressions are more important on small screens. In the case of academic courses, ensuring all participants are listening to the entire session is impossible. Giving a short quiz at the end motivates all to pay attention throughout.