Reflections: A Closing Activity for Webinars from SCORE! Volume 5

Author: Becky Pluth

Description: This is a closer that can begin in the virtual classroom and be extended after the class through social media.

Objective: This activity can be used to accomplish many things: brainstorming, establishing a learning community, familiarizing, recall background knowledge, recall information-existing schemas, refocus learner, and review, to name a few.

Webinar Length: Any

Instructor Skill Level: Novice

Participant Skill Level: Novice

Group Size:  Fewer than 15

Activity Time: 5-10 minutes

Materials/Tools: Group whiteboard/writing tools

Set-Up:

1. Create a slide with reflection questions and starter sentences for learners to reflect on (or purchase the accompanying slide deck).
2. Insert the slide at the end of the session as a way to revisit the session while celebrating all the things learned.

Trainer Process:

1. Put up the pre-made “Reflections” slide.
2. Demonstrate to the class by whiteboarding an answer to a starter question such as “Idea I will use first_____________."
3. Give learners 30 seconds to reflect personally on the questions and starter thoughts on the whiteboard.
4. Have learners begin filling in the blanks until all are completed.

Producer Process:

1. Add one thought to the whiteboard right away, in a different color than the trainer, to get things started.
2. Assist learners with technical difficulties or questions.

Debrief: As learners are writing things up, stay silent for the first 30 seconds and then read out loud what they have written. Encourage learners as they are reflecting.