Running an Online Course Guide

When running a course online, this document should be used as a guideline and is presented in three parts:

1. Preparation

2. Marketing

3. Delivery

Preparation

· Decide on the duration of the course and prepare material, establishing a PowerPoint presentation with any necessary videos and supporting documents.(See appendix 1 for PowerPoints with embedded videos). Upload PowerPoint into Church Office Suite via files in Microsoft Teams. 

· Develop email templates with artwork, that explain the course content for:

• Initial & weekly invitations

• For referral agencies and marketing. (see samples)

Design a welcome pack to include, welcome letter, course workbook/handouts and any other info. 

Once you are happy with the content etc, establish a suitable team and set a date for the course to run. A team should preferably consist of: 

• A host (someone who can deal with the tech stuff)

• A Presenter (Host and presenter can be the same person if necessary)

• Other volunteers if required

With your team and any other volunteers, arrange 2-3 test sessions. This will help identify any issues that need resolving before going live and be useful for trialling functions such as ‘Breakout Rooms’. (This can be done during the marketing period). 

Create the ‘New Meetings’ on Microsoft Teams for the full course, add required attendees or channel as required (team/volunteers). 

Marketing

With around 6 weeks to go – create an event and request a registration form link on ‘Churchsuite’ via: https://twww.revivechurch.uk/event-request-form/ (uploading any docs and images as required). Questions for the registration can consist of both mandatory and non-mandatory such as: 

• Mandatory: name, contact details, what kind of device will be used. 

• Non-mandatory: where did you hear about the course. 

Add the event to church notices / rolling notices via: https://twww.revivechurch.uk/design-printing-request/ (adding any links for preferred images etc). 

Confirm with Ops Manager (Rebecca Markwick), that the event is added to the church Facebook page and any other social media platform.  

With around 4 weeks to go, send email invitation, with registration link and also any leaflets/supporting dox attached to referral agencies, churches, or personal invitees etc. 

• As delegates register, contact them as soon as possible to welcome them and discuss the course and how it will work, alleviating any fears they may hav

The week before the course, send out the welcome packs to the delegates. 

• Meet up with your team to discuss the roles of each such as monitoring the chat box etc. 

Two days before the course and each session, email the first and subsequent weekly emails (see sample) with meeting link and links to instructions for joining a Microsoft Teams meeting. 

Delivery

On the day of the course make sure that:

• Your equipment has been fully updated (allowing time for this to be carried out).

• You are set up at least an hour before the start (allowing time for you to go over everything etc).

• Your team are logged in at least 15 mins before the start time and refresh with them their roles and understanding.

• Your delegates are logged in between 10 mins and 5 mins before start time (instructions for this should be in the weekly email.) 

• It is helpful to use headphones and mic to cut background noises. 

• It is good practice to start the session on time – remember, delegates may have other commitments after. 

When starting each session, have a welcome ready introducing yourself, any other team members/volunteers and introduce/invite to Revive Church via website. – then mute all. 

1. Select> Share Screen (include computer sound (if PowerPoint has videos – see appendix 1) Select> Browse OneDrive Then Select> PowerPoint from Location saved. 
2. Your first slide for each session should point out how the course will work e.g. number of weeks and what topics will be covered. 
3. Your second slide for each session should point out how the course will work online and should include things like: 

Top Tips

• For confidentiality use first names only 
• Do not share any personal information online (any contact required can be made through the host) 
• Sit in a quiet comfortable space with good Wi-Fi signal or wire into an ethernet cable if possible. 
• Keep your camera on and sound muted 
• Use the chat function to ask questions (unless invited to speak) 
• Try not to move around too much 
• Have pen, paper and any course handouts ready for notetaking etc. 
• It is important never to assume that delegates will remember each week the log-in details and house rules. 
• It is good to have a suitable ice-breaker ready for before launching into the first session (after the house rules) such as favourite film etc…this gives each delegate a chance to speak. 
• Host should monitor the chat section and raise questions/points with ‘presenter’ at a suitable moment. 
• Presenter should aim to try and encourage input/discussion from individuals without creating embarrassment – some may only feel comfortable with the chat function rather than speaking. 

Your last slide for each session should include: 

• ‘What Next?’ Followed by: 
• -Any activities set then: Details of next session or what steps can be taken at the end of the course. 

Close in prayer.