Definition A face-to-face session is one in which participants, instructors, and facilitators meet together in the same place and at the same time. 
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Key Characteristics
Face-to-face sessions are synchronous. While no communications technologies are required for a face-to-face session, often other technologies, such as LCD cameras and overhead projectors, are used. A face-to-face session or event is a live meeting among participants, instructors, and facilitators. Face-to-face interaction can help to break down barriers and provide real cross-cultural experiences and networking opportunities, thereby assisting in sustaining relationships and encouraging the sharing of knowledge. Classes, seminars, workshops, and conferences, in which all participants meet together in same facility, are examples of face-to-face events. Experts and other resource people can be invited to participate in a face-to-face event to help validate understanding, provide feedback, and introduce practical examples. Within a face-to-face session, visually diverse media such as PowerPoint slides, handwritten notes or documents, drawings, physical objects, can be used to emphasize points, shift participant focus, help convey a difficult concept, or simplify instructions. Videoconference, video, as well as audio conference or audio can also be used—especially to bring in resource persons who can not be physically present at the event. » Back to top
Our Experience Course teams have found face-to-face useful in that it allows participants, resource persons, instructors and facilitators to meet and interact in real-time. Course teams have found face-to-face sessions useful for stimulating conversation between participants, as the direct contact with each other often encourages a more in depth sharing of knowledge and experience. Facial expressions, body language, eye-contact and the tone of voice, all of which are most easily observed face-to-face, also aid in enhancing communication. Course teams often incorporate breakout sessions or round table topics at lunch within their face-to-face events. During these sessions, participants gather in small groups for discussion about a specific point and then report their findings back to plenary. Such sessions have been found to increase understanding and to provide a greater depth of participation. Some course teams find that the gathering of people into comfortable surroundings, with refreshments and facilities for audio-visual presentations, is most conducive to team-building or the generation of good new ideas. Use it if… - You want to meet with your participants, and you want them to meet with each other.
- You want to break down the barriers among the participants and between you and your participants.
- You would like to provide cross-cultural and networking experiences, in real-time, for your participants.
- You want to see non-verbal cues in communication (particularly useful during team formation or when dealing with sensitive or divisive issues).
Forget it if… - You do not have the time or budget to professionally plan and host a face-to-face session.
- You want to only give a lecture.
- Your participants do not have the time or budget to travel to the session site.
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Design suggestions A face-to-face session, used for learning, is more than just a meeting. Therefore, you and your participants will get much more value out of the time spent together if you plan and design your session carefully. Following are some guidelines for creating quality face-to-face sessions. 1. Set expectations – Start the session on time and encourage your participants and resource persons to keep on time. Prepare for an active experience by assigning a pre-session activity or begin the session with an ice-breaker or a discussion. 2. Engage participants with variety and interaction – Actively involve your participants early and often. Incorporate variety into the instruction to keep interest and motivation high. Use relevant visuals or sounds to illustrate points. Bring in guest speakers to share a different perspective, answer questions, or provide real-world feedback. Use small group or hands-on activity, reading, writing, discussion, and questions to get participants out of the passive mode. Design one or more breaks and small group discussions into the session to give participants a chance to stretch and network. 3. Keep it short - Even with thrilling visuals, nobody wants to watch a talking head for hours, so make sure participants have an opportunity to focus attention away from the lectern from time to time Don’t let anyone lecture for more than 15 minutes at one time. Instead, alternate short segments of the lecture with activities, discussions or questions. 4. Reduce distractions – Reduce the potential distraction by projecting a still image or slide during a break or group activity. Don't be afraid to use silence - music or chatter can distract students from learning. 5. Encourage dialog - Asking a question can be daunting for some participants. You can help them by noting the body language of participants and taking the time to query if you’re not sure if they have understood or if they appear disinterested. Eye contact and use of names both help make participants feel more comfortable. 6. Plan your session – Create a session agenda, and, as much as possible, stick to it. Be sure to share it with your facilitators, technicians, and resource persons as well as your participants. Consider using a session plan that includes: - Learner outcomes
- Methods and activities
- Materials (audio/visual aids, handouts, etc.)
- Time of each activity (including breaks)
- Equipment cues (e.g. document camera, audio/video clip, etc.)
- What to do in case resource persons don’t show up (or show on time)
After completing your session plan, review it with the following questions: - How much total time is spent in lecture? (Keep it less than 30%)
- How much time is spent lecturing at any given time? (Keep it less than 20 minutes)
- How much time is available for networking, small group discussion?
- Are breaks included?
- What support (technical, facilitative, etc.) is needed to make the session a success?
- Is evaluation time included?
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Contact Us Send us your questions or comments. Tell us of your experiences using face-to-face in your learning activities. » Back to top  |
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