Training is more than simply giving people information. Articles, podcasts, and videos are great, cost-effective ways to share information that don’t require a live facilitator. Training is different because we are trying to get participants to interact with information (beyond consuming it). Your handout is a great opportunity to make that happen!

When handouts are printed, designing that interaction is a bit easier. We can create workbooks in word processor applications like Word or Google docs or beautiful PDFs in apps like InDesign and Canva. Participants can fill in blanks, match terms, draw in windowpanes and action plan, keeping a log of all their best takeaways from your session.

But what do we do when everyone is participating virtually, and we're not sure if they have the ability or desire to print our materials?

Interactivity in digital handouts

Of course, you can still include all of those interactive pages in a digital handout if you have access to a pdf tool that will allow you to create fill-in boxes, such as Adobe. Participants can fill in the information by typing or using drawing tools in their PDF readers. (They don't need a special app to do this - but you need one to make your blanks and boxes fillable.)

However, if you don't have the time or inclination to create a fillable PDF, consider creating your handout as a resource for participants to use after the training, and ramping up the participation in the webinar application by incorporating annotation tools, application sharing, breakouts, and chat activities. If you choose to go this route, you can still add value for your learners if you go beyond sharing a pdf of your slide deck! Consider keeping the slide deck simple, visual, and interactive and putting most of your bullet points in the handout instead.

Where or how will your learners use the handout?

Many of our learners are not at their desks or computers when they will be applying the ideas they are learning. If your learners have more mobile work, consider creating a resource that can be useful when it's needed and accessible on mobile devices. While PDFs can be read on phones, they aren't easy to read this way. Using an app such as Craft.do, you can create a stunning handout that can display your document on a mobile device and can contain PDFs or other documents as embedded links. Learners can even swipe left or right on blocks of content and leave comments, so discussion can happen right in the document. Google Docs, or even a blog-style website (blogger.com still exists!) are also good options for creating documents that are easier to use on cell phones.

In Google Docs, you can share your handout in view mode so edits cannot be made, and encourage participants to make a copy so they can edit and take notes right in the document. Google Docs can be shared with a link.

Infinite white board apps like Miro.com or Google Jam Boards are other possibilities for creating an interactive resource that work great on multiple devices that can be accessed long after your training is over. These apps also allow you to embed other pdfs or documents to help keep your resource material in a single location.

However you choose to share your handout, keep it participant-centered and accessible so that it can continue to promote learning long after your training ends. Your participants will thank you!