Introduction
PowerPoint fatigue. “A state of cognitive exhaustion caused by prolonged exposure to poorly designed or unengaging presentations, which leads to audience disinterest, reduced attention spans, and lower comprehension.”
No fun at all. And while PowerPoint is a POWERful tool, it’s nice to shake things up from time to time for your participants. Virtual whiteboards are vastly underutilized engagement tools for both remote and live training. If your organization uses Microsoft 365, Whiteboards by Microsoft will prove to be a powerful tool you already have in your arsenal. If you’re not part of a Microsoft 365 organization, consider checking out Miro or Zoom Whiteboards using the provided links.
In this post, we will discuss why virtual whiteboards are an excellent option for engagement, the top features, and how to share them.
Why Choose Microsoft Whiteboard?
Microsoft Whiteboard is not just a blank canvas; it’s a dynamic, virtual tool that fosters collaboration and interaction. PowerPoint can feel like a one-way street for participants. On the other hand, virtual whiteboards offer participants a way to engage, explore, and even co-create. By leveraging Microsoft Whiteboards in your training sessions, you can ensure learners are 100% tuned in to the lesson.
Top Features of Microsoft Whiteboard
Before diving into the features, let’s walk through the setup process:
Note: Not all features available when accessing Whiteboards through the Microsoft Teams application are available when accessing Whiteboards from a browser.
- Real-time Collaboration: Work simultaneously with others on the same canvas from anywhere.
- Infinite Canvas: Expand your workspace endlessly in any direction to capture all ideas.
- Templates: Jumpstart sessions with pre-designed layouts for various activities.
- Essential Tools: Utilize pens, highlighters, sticky notes, and emojis for interaction.
- Insert Media: Add images, documents, or PDFs directly to the canvas.
- Ink to Shape/Table: Transform freehand drawings into perfect shapes or tables.
- Following Focus: Guide participants with the “Follow Me” feature.
- Reactions: Provide quick feedback with likes, hearts, and other reactions.
Implementing Interactive Modules
You can run an entire training session or meeting through a virtual whiteboard. All you have to do is plan out the activities and plop them on the canvas ahead of time. Let’s explore the example of creating a product training. We will assume that this training is about an hour long, starting with an ice-breaker and ending with an exit ticket.
First, we will need to find and add our ice breaker. To do this, you can open the templates, go to games, and choose one. The instructions for each template are written into the template itself. So you can read them through the preview, or after you have added them to your canvas.
Then let’s assume that we need to add a product video from the marketing team. In Microsoft Whiteboards, this is very easy if you have a link for a website like YouTube or Vimeo. Just add the link, and the tool will embed it on your canvas.
Sharing a document is both visual and engaging. As in the video, when you share a document, it embeds the viewable version on the canvas. The presenter or participants can then write on the document, have emojis stamped on it, and interact with it in various ways. Participants can also download and save the original.
Outside of games, there are a variety of different templates that you can use. There are several categories —such as brainstorming, planning, and strategy —each with templates to help you run virtual activities efficiently. There’s even a timer in the top-right corner you can use to make sure activities don’t run late. With so many templates and high customizability, you’ll be able to craft an exciting journey for participants.
Accessing Your Whiteboard
There are a couple of different ways that participants can access virtual whiteboards. Once shared, they can be accessed via a browser. For example, if you wanted participants to work on the whiteboard asynchronously, as prework, you can send them a link, and they can. Another way to access whiteboards is through Teams. They can be added as tabs in a chat or group, shared in meetings, and accessed in the Whiteboards app within Teams. What’s more, they are desktop and mobile-friendly.
Conclusion
Microsoft Whiteboard offers a refreshing shift from traditional PowerPoint presentations. Whether you’re hosting a comprehensive training session or a brief meeting, this tool breathes new life into learning environments. Just like any tool, when overused, it will get old. But when used appropriately by you, your participants will be engaged and having fun.
Until next time,
When you’re ready, here are some ways I can help:
Corporate Trainer Workshops
Need to upskill your team on a specific live or virtual training topic? I’ll work with you to identify the needs of your team and facilitate a hands-on, workshop. Where you need it. When you need it. How you need it.
Consultation and Coaching
Need advice on a training project, your development process, or leading a training team? How about landing your next facilitator job? I’ll consult with you and help you be successful.
Custom Instructor-Led Training Development
Transforming your learning objectives into engaging and effective instructor-led trainings. Virtual or live, from development to train-the-trainers, we have your training needs covered.
