This recent demand that we all become online participants and facilitators has many rewards and challenges. There is a different intention to our interaction and our time together. Our learning environment has become more isolated and independent, regardless of a...
Help Me, I’m an Extrovert
Ever since Susan Cain’s Ted talk and book, Quiet: Being an Introvert in a World that Just Can’t Stop Talking, I have become more attentive to introverts in my meetings, learning events, and other gatherings.
Nonviolent Communication: Meeting the Needs of Learners
We talk a lot about attending to needs of learners when designing and facilitating learning events using the GLP principles to practice framework. I find Nonviolent Communication (NVC) to be very compatible with a learning-centered approach in that it also is about...
Effective Email Starts with a Clear Subject Line
We need to be highly efficient in these COVID times, and a clear Subject line is the first step to getting the responses you need to move important work ahead. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind. 1. Use a Subject line that...
Expecting the Unexpected
When my kids were very young, I would take them with me to run errands. They’d say, “Momma, what’s our plan today?” with excitement in their voices. They wondered what our adventure to town would include! I would list things such as stopping at the post office, the...
Trust Your Design
In mid-March, the Tax Equity team at the International Budget Partnership was faced with a dilemma - continue planning a two-day convening of researchers, staff, and civil society scheduled for May or take it completely online. Like many organizations in the face of...
How to Create a Great Video
Video is an excellent feature to bring into your online learning events. Used well, video can offer a variety of content, introduce new voices and faces, and enhance engagement in your learning program. Although some folks may be intimidated to take this step with...
Retirement Tribute to Peter Perkins: A Career of Openness and Generosity
Friends, this brief tribute to Peter Perkins on the occasion of his retirement from Global Learning Partners is intended to celebrate the unique, deeply caring and open heart of a dear friend, teacher, mentor and leader. To experience Peter is to have experienced...
Rethinking Our Online Meetings
Much has changed since pre-COVID. And in my view, our monthly all-staff meetings are better now that everyone is on a separate screen.
Using PowerPoint as a Learning Tool
As of late, PowerPoint has gotten a bad rap ... at least we think so. In many cases, this is for good reason. However, we are too easily lured in by slick technology with tons of bells and whistles. PowerPoint can be used in all sorts of different ways to enhance...
Let’s Make Better Use of the Chat Box
The Chat box is highly underrated. All meeting spaces have this feature, but it is not often used. And even more rarely, explored. Here are some great reasons to use the Chat box: to invite in all voices Rarely does everyone have a voice in a session (in-person or...
Silence to Think and Re-energize
Many people are afraid of sitting in silence with a group in a Zoom room. Don't be afraid. Silence can be extremely helpful and needed if timed well. Here are reasons to design for silence: to give people time to think to make space for off-screen work before coming...