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Learning Online: Live Streaming (Part 4 of 4)

Caroline Smith Bailey · August 6, 2021 · 3 min read

After more than fourteen months of various phases and stages of COVID-19 lockdowns, many of us have likely participated in at least one live stream event on one of the many social media platforms. Whether a cooking class, a virtual conference or an online faith service, live streaming has become mainstream. For this reason, the final post in the series will discuss live streaming as an effective method to enhance learning and performance.

About Live Streaming

The growth of digital media has enabled innovations in virtual social engagement. Unlike the pre-recorded videos common on social media platforms, live streaming involves broadcasting in real-time and shares obvious similarities with the web conferencing and virtual classroom platforms discussed earlier in the series. A successful live stream marries viewer engagement, positive social interactions and quality content to create an appealing viewer experience. As a one-to-many communication mechanism to the host is the only person visible on screen, while all other participants are muted and not visible on screen to live streams have commonly been used in marketing to inform and influence viewer behaviour.

As organizations reimagine their learning, development and engagement programs, virtual integration and delivery are foundational components to be considered. In these contexts, live streaming is better suited for presenter-driven interactions focused on observation instead of hands-on, tactile experiences. For example, a quarterly town hall, executive speaker series, demonstration/walk-through, influencer podcast, or rapid-fire “ask me anything” (AMA) interviews could be appropriate for a live stream.

Common engagement features include viewer chat, viewer reaction emojis (including “likes” and memes). High-touch engagement features such as break-out rooms, interactive whiteboards and annotation are not typically available with live stream. Hosts have the ability to mute participants and record the live stream for future on-demand viewing.

Engagement and Etiquette Tips

The secret sauce of live streaming is the skill and charisma of the presenter. The “in-real-time” nature of live streaming, coupled with limited built-in engagement tools, puts greater pressure on the presenter to be performative and entertaining. Key presenter tactics include:
  • Fostering a friendly, social atmosphere by requesting viewers post emojis or “Likes.”
  • Promoting the use of humour (presenter and participants) to build connection and belonging.
  • Encouraging emotional engagement by asking participants to share real-time feelings. (“How are we doing?” or “Are we enjoying the event?”)
  • Being responsive to viewer reactions, feedback, and suggestions and incorporating them into the event.
  • Demonstrating expertise, credibility and authenticity.
It is important to remember that viewer engagement is critical in all learning interactions, and more so with live streaming. Finding ways to promote collective actions among the viewers is a common tactic that incorporates playfulness and builds cohesion. For example, it is common for regular viewers to have developed inside jokes and shared memes and phrases that may be triggered and posted during the stream.

By way of caution, live streams can be confusing and hard to follow, especially the discussion in the corresponding live chat. Depending on the number of participants on the stream, and the rapid succession in which comments are posted, it can be difficult to follow conversations or respond to questions. Working with a moderator is an effective strategy to for both chat management and security. As with any virtual delivery, unwanted intruders may try to “bomb” the stream. Each platform has security features to maintain the integrity of the event.

Conclusion

While the context of this post is the use of live streaming as a vehicle to promote learning, we cannot overlook the importance of streaming as a sociotechnical experience with the potential to build powerful emotional connections. The past fourteen months have forced us to reimagine our society in virtual terms. As we emerge to a new-normal post-pandemic, it is up to us to reimagine how to deliver in-person engagement leveraging 21st century technology. With a little research, creativity and effort live streaming can add memorable, equipping and enriching learning experiences to your performance and development programs.

How-to Live Stream Platforms

Click the links below for “how-to” streaming tips for each platform.

Reference

Henrik Jodén & Jacob Strandell(2021)Building viewer engagement through interaction rituals on Twitch.tv,Information, Communication & Society,DOI: 10.1080/1369118X.2021.1913211

Tags:  designing curricula  online learning  virtual classrooms  virtual learning  virtual training 

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