Distance Simulation Affinity Group

How do you keep learners engaged and actively participating during online debriefing sessions? Keeping learners engaged and actively participating during online debriefing sessions is a considerable challenge for simulation educators, especially in the context of distance learning. I have a couple of tips to share and would love to get more ideas from those who distance debrief learners.

Two things I've found to be very helpful:

 Interactive Tools

Using interactive tools such as polls, quizzes, and real-time feedback platforms can make sessions more engaging. Kahoot!, Poll Everywhere, and Mentimeter can be integrated into the debriefing to solicit responses and gauge understanding. This works great for those who are a bit hesitant to speak up, camera shy, etc. So often we think the quiet person is disengaged but these tools serve as a great channel for them to demonstrate their engagement.

Personalized Feedback

Providing personalized feedback can enhance engagement by addressing the individual needs and concerns of learners. Personalized feedback shows that the facilitator is attentive and invested in the learners' progress, which can motivate learners to participate more actively. I find the use of the chat feature in Zoom can be great for this purpose (and sometimes you may have to actually say you will occasionally drop messages in chat so they pay attention to the chat feature!)

Keeping learners engaged with that 'distance' between you can certainly be challenging but it can also be fun! By establishing an effective learning environment and presenting various engagement options to your learners, you'll typically find that they are quite receptive, and the 'distance' aspect actually becomes a factor that draws them in.

Have you faced distance debriefing engagement challenges and come up with a way to address them? Would love to hear what you've done!

Cynthia

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Cynthia Mosher PhD, MD, MSHS
Assistant Professor MGH Institute of Health Professions Boston MA
cmosher@mghihp.edu
Assistant Director, Department of Clinical Skills Alfaisal University College of Medicine Riyadh Saudi Arabia
cymosher@alfaisal.edu
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Jabeen Fayyaz
Associate Professor
The hospital for sick children
Toronto ON
416-887-7143
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That's quite a list Jabeen! Thank you for sharing. 

We have incorporated many of these in our distance debriefing. We've placed open ended questions in chat and asked participants to respond and that has worked really well. Regular checkins work really well, especially if you have one or two not paying close attention. It often serves to bring them back in the discussion.

We have not done mindfulness and reflection, other than asking for "takeaways" from each participant. I supposed it is similar as a pause usually occurs while they think about what their takeaways are. 

I think we need to have a thread in here about the distractions in distance debriefing and how to address those! 🙌🏻

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Cynthia Mosher PhD, MD, MSHS
Assistant Professor MGH Institute of Health Professions Boston MA
cmosher@mghihp.edu
Assistant Director, Department of Clinical Skills Alfaisal University College of Medicine Riyadh Saudi Arabia
cymosher@alfaisal.edu
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-21-2024 07:08
From: Jabeen Fayyaz
Subject: Engaging Learners in Virtual Debriefing: How do you...?

Hi Cynthia,

 

Engaging learners during online debriefing sessions is indeed a challenge, but there are many effective strategies to tackle this. Your tips on using interactive tools and providing personalized feedback are spot-on! Here are a few additional and or may be overlapping ideas that might help enhance engagement further:

 

Breakout Rooms

Utilizing breakout rooms can be highly effective. Smaller groups encourage more intimate discussions, allowing learners to feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts. It also fosters a sense of community and collaboration among participants.

 

Scenario-Based Discussions

Integrate real-life scenarios relevant to the learners' experiences. This contextual approach can make the discussion more relatable and stimulating. Encourage learners to reflect on these scenarios and share their insights or alternative approaches.

 

Role-Playing

Incorporate role-playing activities where learners can act out different scenarios or debriefing roles. This method not only makes the session more interactive but also allows learners to practice their communication and critical thinking skills in a safe environment.

 

Visual Aids

Use visual aids like diagrams, videos, or simulations to illustrate key points. Visual content can capture learners' attention and help them grasp complex concepts more easily.

 

Gamification

Introduce gamified elements such as leaderboards, badges, or rewards for participation and contributions. This can add an element of fun and friendly competition, motivating learners to stay engaged.

 

Open-Ended Questions

Pose open-ended questions that encourage critical thinking and discussion. This approach can lead to more in-depth conversations and allow learners to explore various perspectives.

 

Regular Check-Ins

Conduct regular check-ins throughout the session to assess learners' understanding and engagement. Simple questions like "How is everyone feeling about this topic?" or "Does anyone have any questions or comments?" can keep the dialogue open and inclusive.

 

Interactive Whiteboards

Platforms like Miro or Jamboard can be great for collaborative activities. Learners can brainstorm, draw, or map out ideas in real time, making the session more dynamic and interactive.

 

Mindfulness and Reflection

Incorporate short mindfulness or reflection exercises. These can help learners process what they have learned and how it applies to their practice. It also gives them a moment to pause and reset during the session.

 

Balancing structure with flexibility and incorporating a variety of engagement techniques can make online debriefing sessions not just effective, but also enjoyable. I'd love to hear how these ideas work for you or if you have other strategies that have been successful!

 

Best,

Jabeen

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Jabeen Fayyaz
Associate Professor
The hospital for sick children
Toronto ON
416-887-7143
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