QUESTION: I know how to deliver an effective training session in the traditional classroom, but how do I hone my delivery skills for a virtual environment?

Teaching in the traditional classroom is much like being on stage. You'll often exaggerate your gestures and pump up your voice to create a more theatrical presentation. But your online student isn't listening or watching you from several feet away. Your voice is right in her ear. What you want to do in the virtual classroom is create a conversation. Your voice is your number 1 tool for creating a comfortable, relaxed learning environment.

Exercises and tips for improving your delivery

Relaxation. Anxiety before class can cause your throat, mouth, and jaw to tighten up. This can disrupt your flow of air and cause shallow breathing. Relaxation takes the tension out of your voice. The easiest way to relax your muscles is by yawning or chewing gum (but be sure to get rid of the gum when class starts).

Breathing. Deep, abdominal breathing is essential to a confident, clear, and expressive delivery. If you're breathing correctly, your stomach should expand as you breathe in and shrink as you breathe out. And don't forget to sit up straight--in the traditional classroom you're usually standing, which allows for deeper breathing.

Abdominal breathing exercise:

1. Sit on a chair and lean forward, with your elbows on your knees and your chin resting in your hands.
2. Let your breath out.
3. Wait until you feel the need to breathe. Take a deep breath, allowing it to fill your lungs. Feel the expansion in your lower back and abdomen.
4. Release the breath slowly.
5. Repeat this exercise sitting upright and then standing. Put one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach. You should feel your stomach move, not your chest.

Resonance and pitch. Resonance comes from vibrations produced in the cavities of the mouth and nose as well as the area around the voice box--there should be a balance of resonance in those three areas. Resonance adds power to the voice and gives authority to your sound. Pitch is closely related to resonance. Every voice has an optimal or natural pitch level at which you get the most sound for the least effort.

To find your optimum pitch:

1. Put your hand on your chest.
2. Breath in deeply.
3. Say "Ah" as you let out a breath. You should feel resonance in your chest. "Ah" was at your optimum pitch.
4. Repeat the above steps, but this time count after each "Ah," as in: "Ah…one, Ah…two, Ah...three." The numbers should be at the same pitch as the "Ah." This will show you what speaking at your optimum pitch feels like, but remember to vary your pitch or you'll create a monotone.

Pacing. Talking too fast causes a host of problems. It can lead to insufficient breath support, poor articulation, and a loss of expressiveness. Rapid speech can make your message sound unimportant and can even reduce your credibility--picture a fast-talking salesman. Too-fast delivery can also make your students feel uneasy.

You're most likely to speak fast at the start of your class, when you may be anxious. So be sure to start out slowly and deliberately.

If you tend to speak fast:

• Concentrate on one thought at a time and speak in shorter phrases.
• Put up a sign saying, "Slow down!"
• Cut down your material if you go long in practice. Never plan to speak faster because of a lack of time.
• Time your presentation so you know if you're staying on track. Note what parts you can cut if you run long.
• Don't be afraid to pause to take a breath or make a point.
• Ask for feedback: Some software programs have red and green buttons so students can ask you to pick up the pace or slow it down. But students usually won't use do it unless you ask them.

It's rare that presenters speak too slowly. More likely, the problem is a droning monotone. If you think you may succumb to that, follow these suggestions:

• Use hand gestures when possible. That can be difficult when using the graphic tools, but try gesturing with one hand to liven up your intonation and delivery.
• Smile, even if you don't feel like it. Research shows a fake smile can actually make you feel happier, and that emotion is transmitted in your voice. If this is hard for you, put up a sign next to your computer saying, "Smile!"
• Avoid speaking loudly to make your points. You can call attention to a phrase by pausing just before you say it or by using a different tempo or pitch to set the words apart.
• Pretend you're talking to your best friend. Put up her picture next to your computer.
• Avoid "upspeak." Women in particular sometimes have a tendency to give the last syllable of a sentence a higher inflection. That conveys uncertainty.
• Vary your pitch, volume, intonation, and pacing. Whenever you change your vocal pattern, students will listen more closely to what you're saying.
• Use humor when appropriate. If you're not having a good time, how can you expect your students to? But be careful: Without visual cues, it's tough to know if your audience is getting the joke.

Pulling it all together

Here's a quick checklist of what you should do before class:

• Take deep, abdominal breaths.
• Relax your mouth and throat, yawn.
• Have a glass of water handy.
• Put up signs: Smile! Slow down!
• Look at a picture of a friend.
• Sit up straight.
• Practice! None of these tips will help if you stumble through your material.

Published: April 2002