Learn Effective Online Facilitation
The world has suddenly moved its work online. You are experienced facilitating groups and leading meetings in the room. Flip charts, markers and post it notes – you are ready to go. But how does this translate online?
Working online you may feel like a novice all over again. You may wonder whether it Is even possible to facilitate effectively online. What tools do you need to use? How do you decide what is the right one for your design goals? How can you learn the tools quickly so that you can get back to work supporting your clients, team or volunteers? Join me for a four-week group coaching program where you will learn the essentials of effective online facilitation. |
The 2020 cohorts are now complete. Sign up to be notified when the program will be offered in the future.
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Not sure where to start? Gain confidence
You may be feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start with shifting your facilitation practice online. Join the Effective Online Facilitation program to become more confident with facilitating online.
- Become familiar with common online facilitation tools for connection, for group brainstorming and group decision making.
- Play with and practice using common tools that support online facilitation such as Zoom, Miro and Mural.
- Get more comfortable with the technology before you have to go “live” with a client or important stakeholder group.
- Connect with colleagues, learn how they are approaching facilitating online
- Get feedback on your design challenges as you shift your practice from in person to online.
"I gained a clearer appreciation of the differences between in-person versus online facilitation; the need to be very purposeful in giving instructions ("signal your turns") and that I have to be flexible and I have to encourage that flexibility with participants." Sharon Anderson, Anderson & Associates, LLC.
Since the stay-at-home orders with COVID-19, many organizations, business and institutions are shifting to online work. Leaders who haven’t facilitated much online before suddenly need to learn a whole new set of skills.
Meet your guides

Carol Hamilton
I have been creating online learning experiences since the early 2000s. I led two organizations through the creation of a line of online learning programs including online conferences, scenario-based e-learning, webinars and blended (online and in person) leadership development programs.
I have facilitated strategic planning, leadership transition, team development and many types of training programs online. I often became the accidental techie on staff or a team and has been known to say – yes, there is an app for that.
I am also an experienced facilitator in the room, working as an organization development consultant and learning/training professional with a variety of organizations.
I have been creating online learning experiences since the early 2000s. I led two organizations through the creation of a line of online learning programs including online conferences, scenario-based e-learning, webinars and blended (online and in person) leadership development programs.
I have facilitated strategic planning, leadership transition, team development and many types of training programs online. I often became the accidental techie on staff or a team and has been known to say – yes, there is an app for that.
I am also an experienced facilitator in the room, working as an organization development consultant and learning/training professional with a variety of organizations.
"I found the course made me much more confident and comfortable in my ability to do virtual facilitation." --Melanie Nowacki, Feeding America
Program Elements
- Four 90-minute sessions via Zoom over the course of four weeks
- One 45-minute individual coaching session per participant
- Recording of group sessions for play back
- Copies of all group brainstorming work
- Assignments to promote practice and skill building
- Resource lists
The program assumes a basic comfort with Zoom and Google docs and a general willingness to learn new technology tools. If you are highly “tech phobic” this is not going to be a good fit for you.
"I’ve been so appreciative of this whole series. It got me over the hump of trying some new tools to get me beyond my 'usual.' I appreciated your style of 'let’s try it – it doesn’t have to be perfect.' You are creating an exploratory space that’s accessible, helpful, and welcoming." - Kristin Bradley-Bull, Roots to Canopy Consulting
Register Today for our Next Cohort
The investment in the Effective Online Facilitation group coaching program in 2020 is $645 payable at registration. Each cohort will include up to 9 participants.
September-October Cohort: September 22 - October 13, 2020 with live sessions on Tuesdays from 3:00 – 4:30 pm eastern time.
Future cohorts TBD
2020 pricing:
1-2 per organization - $645 per participant
3-5 per organization - $625 per participant
6 or more per organization - $595 per participant
September-October Cohort: September 22 - October 13, 2020 with live sessions on Tuesdays from 3:00 – 4:30 pm eastern time.
Future cohorts TBD
2020 pricing:
1-2 per organization - $645 per participant
3-5 per organization - $625 per participant
6 or more per organization - $595 per participant
FAQs
Couldn’t I just teach myself this?
Sure, you could teach yourself – there are lots of how-to videos online. And that might be your preferred learning style.
But before you fall into a rabbit hole of watching too many how-to tutorials on all the tools you might use and get overwhelmed, consider joining two experienced guides as well as a group of colleagues to learn from each other.
I need to learn all of this tomorrow. Why is it going to take 4 weeks?
Adults need time and practice to learn a new skill. This time frame gives you time in between each live session to dive a little deeper with practice assignments.
I have a session with a client coming up that I have to plan for. Can I get feedback on my design?
You can use your 1-1 coaching session for feedback on your design.
Will you cover all the functionality of every tool?
We will cover the key elements and practice with each tool. This is not meant to be a substitute for using the online support and tutorials that each tool typically offers on their own website.
Sure, you could teach yourself – there are lots of how-to videos online. And that might be your preferred learning style.
But before you fall into a rabbit hole of watching too many how-to tutorials on all the tools you might use and get overwhelmed, consider joining two experienced guides as well as a group of colleagues to learn from each other.
I need to learn all of this tomorrow. Why is it going to take 4 weeks?
Adults need time and practice to learn a new skill. This time frame gives you time in between each live session to dive a little deeper with practice assignments.
I have a session with a client coming up that I have to plan for. Can I get feedback on my design?
You can use your 1-1 coaching session for feedback on your design.
Will you cover all the functionality of every tool?
We will cover the key elements and practice with each tool. This is not meant to be a substitute for using the online support and tutorials that each tool typically offers on their own website.