Facilitating an Art Opening Minds Class online can be just as impactful as in person—especially when you plan ahead for engagement and emotional presence. Whether you're using Zoom, Teams, or another platform, these tips will help you lead with confidence, even when cameras are off and reactions are hard to read.

1. Set the tone early

• Start with a warm, clear welcome and set expectations: “This Class is about reflecting, sharing only what feels right, and taking care of ourselves and each other.”
• Encourage camera use if possible, but affirm that privacy is okay too.
• Remind Participants they can use the chat, reactions, or private messages to stay engaged.

2. Use screen share strategically

• Share the slides and play the films directly from the Class page.
• Pause occasionally to check in, using clear, open-ended questions (e.g., “Take a moment to reflect—what stood out to you?”).

3. Stay present when faces are off-screen

It can feel hard to stay grounded when you're not getting visual feedback. Try:

• Focusing on your pacing and tone: stay slow, calm, and grounded.
• Trusting the process: Participants may be quiet, but they're likely deeply engaged internally.
• Using reflective questions with quiet pause time, even if it feels awkward.
• Asking for responses in the chat or with emoji reactions to gauge energy.

4. Normalize emotional reactions

• Acknowledge the emotional content openly:
  • “It’s totally normal to feel stirred up by these films. Take a breath, and feel free to step away for a moment if you need to.”
  • Offer grounding reminders throughout, especially after intense moments.

5. Use the tools you have

Depending on your platform, consider:

• Chat for private or public reflections
• Breakout rooms for smaller group discussions
• Polls for quick check-ins
• Shared docs or whiteboards for group reflection

6. Close with clarity and care

• Summarize key themes or questions that arose
• Remind Participants how to access additional resources and the evaluation form
• End on a warm, hopeful note—even a simple “Thanks for showing up today” can go a long way.

Tips & Notes

• You don’t need to control the silence—sometimes the quiet moments are where the learning happens.
• Set up your space with water, notes, and a grounding object nearby to help you stay present.
• Follow up afterward if something felt intense or unresolved—you can always return to your Portal to review evaluations and reflect on how it went.