Table 2.

Protocol for virtual conference speaker training

Training Item	Aim of Training Item
Test and troubleshoot technology	The speaker can log on to the virtual meeting platform.
	• Use the computer they intend to present from
	Test their web camera to ensure it is working.
	• Ensure that lighting is appropriate
	Test the computer microphone and speakers.
Walk through the presentation	Discuss virtual platform functionality in the context of the content (i.e., polling questions and breakout rooms).
Orient the speaker to the platform’s capabilities	Demonstrate how to use the virtual platform’s capabilities:
	• How to share a screen
	• Annotate a PowerPoint presentation
	• Use the whiteboard
	• Use polling questions
	• Use breakout rooms
	• Encourage the use of dual screens if possible.
	Ensure that the speaker understands what the audience sees when their screen is shared
Discuss how questions will be addressed	Review the facilitated chat box mechanism and how the chat box facilitator will function to call on audience members to ask questions.
Discuss troubleshooting plan	Review technology troubleshooting plan:
	• Speakers e-mail us their final PowerPoint presentation
	• If the speaker’s internet were to fail, they would call in to the virtual platform using their telephone
	• Our audiovisual expert would then advance their PowerPoint slides for the audience to see while they spoke
Discuss logistics for the day of their presentation	Exchange cell phone numbers for texting communication.
	Sign in to the virtual platform 20 min before their scheduled presentation.
	Each presenter was named in the virtual platform with the time of their presentation (e.g., Peter Lenz 9:15). This allowed the audiovisual specialist to change the presenter role to a cohost at that time. Being a cohost provided the speaker with the ability to use required functionality.
	When being introduced, turn on the webcam and unmute the microphone.
	Share the screen when the introduction is complete.
	Text a reminder at the 5-min remaining mark.
	At the conclusion of the speaker’s presentation, the emcee’s web camera is turned on. Together with the question moderator, the emcee presents questions from the audience.