What are the main types of digital facilitation and when should I use each?

Question

Accepted Answer

Digital facilitation typically includes Virtual Facilitation (real-time online sessions), Asynchronous Facilitation (time-shifted collaboration), and Face-to-Face Facilitation (in-person or hybrid). Use virtual for live co-creation, asynchronous for distributed input over time, and face-to-face when in-person interaction is required; these 3 types are described in the primer.
 
Q2: What guiding principles help improve participant engagement in virtual workshops?
A2: Effective engagement hinges on clear guidelines, ensuring all voices are heard, real-time documentation, adapting techniques to participant understanding, and continuous feedback. The primer organizes these into a structured set of guiding principles intended to increase interaction and safety for participants, summarized as 7 guiding principles.
 
Q3: Which digital collaboration platforms are commonly used for digital facilitation?
A3: Common platforms cited include videoconferencing tools and team collaboration apps such as Zoom, Google Meet, and Slack, alongside specialized digital collaboration platforms for workshops. The primer discusses platform roles and functionalities, referencing tools like Zoom, Google Meet, and Slack.
 
Q4: How should I document outcomes from a virtual workshop so nothing is lost?
A4: Use shared digital platforms to capture notes and decisions in real time, apply standardized documentation templates, and ensure all participants have access to outputs. The primer includes documentation templates and guidance for real-time capture and post-session distribution using shared platforms and documentation templates.
 
Q5: What should I look for when selecting a digital facilitation toolkit or primer?
A5: Choose resources that provide practical agenda templates, engagement guidelines, documentation formats, feedback loop mechanisms, and sample activities for icebreakers. Verify the resource includes ready-to-adapt materials and platform guidance, such as a digital workshop agenda template.
 
Q6: How much preparation time should I allow to convert an in-person workshop into a digital format?
A6: Preparation depends on session complexity and desired interactivity; plan time to adapt content, set platform features, and test breakout activities. The primer’s sample agenda shows session segments like a 30-minute introduction, a 60-minute guiding-principles workshop, and a 90-minute practical application session.
 
Q7: I need to run a remote team-building session—what facilitation techniques work best?
A7: Use short, structured activities, breakout rooms for small-group interaction, inclusive icebreakers, visual polling, and clear facilitation norms to create a safe environment. The primer offers icebreaker activity templates, visual aids for polling, and engagement guidelines to structure team-building sessions.
 
Q8: How can asynchronous facilitation be structured to keep participants engaged across time zones?
A8: Define clear participation guidelines, provide asynchronous prompts, use shared documentation for visible progress, and implement feedback loops to close the loop on contributions. The primer discusses asynchronous approaches and includes feedback loop tools to manage time-shifted engagement.

Virtual Work: Digital Facilitation Primer – PowerPoint PPTX Template

MEETING FACILITATION PPT TEMPLATE DESCRIPTION