Using online tools for HIIC
/As the COVID-19 crisis continues to develop and change the way we work, some of our HIIC tutors have embraced the shift and adapted their HIIC delivery using online tools. Nearly two months later Fiona Douglas a HIIC tutor from NHS Lanarkshire, keeps us in the loop with an update on how her group are getting on.
Demand for more HIIC
We’re now moved from one to two weekly HIIC sessions on the request from our participants, with only one session having to be postponed as the IT gremlins seemed to be working over-time right through from Glasgow across the whole of South Lanarkshire. Considering that this technology is new to all of us I think it's pretty good going that we've managed to maintain such high levels of interactive sessions actually working!
The twice a week meet up can be time-consuming from my point of view as a facilitator, but it is entirely within the ethos of HIIC that the course itself should be participant-led and that's what was requested. And on reflection is meeting the learning and health needs of the group.
Participants asked for an extra session for two reasons:
They were enjoying the course (hurray!) and keen to get more reading materials sent to them during lockdown. Many live alone and are finding it hard to keep occupied during lockdown.
Participants all voiced the opinion that it was good for their mental health to have a regular 'connection' time together.
Zoom, so far, is still free!
All participants, regardless of experience, have said they find Zoom easy to use. It's quite an intuitive platform and usually very stable. Some of the participants also meet on Zoom to do yoga together now which came from an idea raised at our first Zoom session. A great positive example of learner-led action.
As facilitators we all know how important it is to plan. I'd say using this method of delivery makes that even more crucial. Some of the activities we have in our HIIC packs work fine as a straight 'lift' into Zoom. The whiteboard is similar to the flip chart we would use, though difficult to read font for learners who only have phones. However, some of the exercises just don't translate and need to be thought through with other means. Happy to share some of these with anyone looking for ideas.
As well as the importance of planning, creativity is helpful. IT is never straight forward and curve balls appear all of a sudden. Back up is crucial. We've started a HIIC WhatsApp group so that if anyone's Zoom isn't working we have another means of communication. It's also somewhere we can swap articles/websites or just say hello or offer support or the essential wee funny video, all of which have happened!
Thanks to Fiona and her group for keeping us update on their progress. Sharing online practice has never been as important and we hope you find this useful. If you would like to know more about moving online please get in touch.