In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), we wanted to share a few “Keep It Clean In the Classroom” protocols you may want to put in place for your workshops and training events.
#1. Think Outside the Box
Think outside of the box and see if you can move your face-to-face training to a live virtual format. We love to use Zoom for our webinars, but many other robust webinar platforms can help you deliver an engaging virtual workshop. You may even try live streaming your session. Likewise, we are currently adding a virtual option to many of our public workshops. Check out our showcases, workshops, and certifications!
#2. Sanitize the Classroom
If you cannot transfer your face-to-face training to an online platform, consider the following protocols to help create a safer and more sanitized environment. Here are some practices to start, stop, and continue.
- Start wiping down room surfaces with antibacterial wipes before participants arrive. This includes:
- Tables
- Doorknobs
- Chairs
- Pencil holders
- Markers
- Pens
- Whiteboards
- Any surfaces that people touch
- Start requiring participants to use hand sanitizer before entering the room. Hand sanitizers are flying off the shelves right now, but you should be picky because the truth is, they’re not all the same. For instance, some contain an alcohol substitute known as benzalkonium chloride, which isn’t as effective if you’re trying to stop the spread of germs. Therefore, you want to look for a hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol content, according to the CDC. This is a similar practice that cruise ships use when you enter a dining room, “happy, happy, washy, washy.”
- Start adding tissue boxes to your classroom if you haven’t already. It’s better to sneeze or cough into a tissue than in your elbow. So, grab a tissue before you say ahh-choo!
- Start adding germ control discussions to the opening of your training session, establishing your safety protocols.
- Start modifying activities to avoid physical contact or passing around items.
- Stop using items that many people may touch. Standard training tools to consider removing are stress balls, fidget spinners, toys, play dough, etc.
- Start creating smaller learning groups so that you can give participants larger space bubbles around them. For example, instead of seating people in clusters of 4, provide them their own desks.
- Start taking more breaks and include a “wipe down your space” activity, and why not add a song? Here’s some of our favorites.
- Wash Your Hands – The Singing Walrus
- Ain’t No Mountain High Enough — Tammi Terrell & Marvin Gaye
- Happy – Pharrell Williams
- We Can Work it Out – The Beatles
- The Clean up Song – Barney
- Continue monitoring your own health, and if you are not feeling well, don’t be afraid to seek out alternatives. As facilitators we’ve all been there where we feel that the show must go on even though you don’t feel 100%. Consider finding a replacement facilitator, postponing your class or be ready to deploy suggestion #1 with a virtual classroom.
#3. Stay Informed
In addition to your local public health officials and local authorities, be sure to follow the: World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), which include up-to-date guidance for gathering safely.
Happy learning & be safe!
