How to Make Your Google Meet Sessions More Engaging and Interactive

Google Meet is an excellent platform for hosting virtual meetings, but to truly maximize the experience, you need to keep your participants engaged and interactive. Whether you’re conducting a business meeting, leading a class, or hosting a social gathering, engaging sessions can boost participation, improve communication, and create a more enjoyable virtual environment. Here are several strategies you can use to make your Google Meet sessions more engaging and interactive.

1. Use Interactive Tools and Features

1.1. Polls

Google Meet offers integration with Google Forms, allowing you to create polls and surveys that can be shared with participants during the session. Polls can be used to gather feedback, spark discussion, or make decisions in real-time.

• How to use polls: Create a poll using Google Forms and share the link via the Google Meet chat. Alternatively, if you’re using third-party add-ons like Slido, you can host live polls directly in Google Meet.

1.2. Breakout Rooms

Breakout rooms are a powerful way to make Google Meet sessions more interactive, especially for workshops, team discussions, or group activities. You can split your participants into smaller groups, each with its own virtual space to collaborate or discuss specific topics.

• How to use breakout rooms: Click on the Activities icon (shaped like a square) in the toolbar, then select Breakout Rooms. You can assign participants manually or let Google Meet do it automatically. After a set amount of time, bring everyone back to the main meeting for a debrief.

1.3. Whiteboards and Collaborative Tools

For a more hands-on approach, consider using a collaborative whiteboard during your meeting. Tools like Jamboard (Google’s online whiteboard tool) can be integrated with Google Meet, allowing you to draw, share notes, and brainstorm in real-time.

• How to use Jamboard: In Google Meet, click the Activities icon, then select Whiteboard to create a Jamboard. Participants can then collaborate by adding sticky notes, drawing diagrams, or writing comments.

2. Engage with the Chat Feature

2.1. Use the Chat for Questions and Feedback

Encourage participants to use the chat feature to ask questions, provide feedback, or share relevant resources. Having a dedicated space for participants to interact without interrupting the speaker can improve engagement and allow for more dynamic communication.

• Tip: Set aside specific times during the meeting to go through the questions or comments in the chat, and invite participants to discuss or expand on the points raised.

2.2. Emojis and Reactions

Google Meet includes a range of emoji reactions like thumbs up, clapping hands, and a raised hand. These reactions can be used to express agreement, appreciation, or to signal that someone wants to speak. Encourage participants to use these reactions to stay engaged without disrupting the flow of the meeting.

• How to use reactions: Click on the Reactions icon (smiley face) in the lower right corner of the screen, and select the emoji you wish to use.

3. Encourage Participation and Interaction

3.1. Ask Open-Ended Questions

Instead of presenting information passively, ask participants open-ended questions to spark discussion. Encourage everyone to share their thoughts, and create opportunities for group interaction. This helps keep participants engaged and ensures that the meeting feels more like a conversation than a presentation.

• Examples:
  • “What are your thoughts on this topic?”
  • “How does this relate to your experience?”
  • “Can anyone offer a different perspective?”

3.2. Ice Breakers

For group meetings or virtual classes, it’s important to build rapport and make everyone feel comfortable. Start with a fun icebreaker activity, like asking participants to introduce themselves, share a fun fact, or answer a light-hearted question.

• Example icebreaker questions:
  • “If you could have any superpower, what would it be?”
  • “What’s your favorite vacation destination and why?”
  • “What’s the last book or movie you really enjoyed?”

3.3. Gamification

Make the session fun by incorporating elements of gamification. You can host a trivia quiz, conduct a fun competition, or create a game that participants can play together.

• Tools to use: You can integrate Kahoot! (a popular quiz tool) or Quizizz into Google Meet for live trivia competitions. Share your screen to host these games and let participants interact in real-time.

4. Enhance Visual Engagement

4.1. Use Virtual Backgrounds

To make the meeting environment more visually interesting, encourage participants to use virtual backgrounds. Google Meet offers a selection of default backgrounds, but participants can also upload their own to reflect the theme or mood of the meeting.

• How to change your background: Click on the three dots in the lower-right corner, select Change Background, and choose from the options available.

4.2. Share Visual Content

When presenting information, share visual aids such as slides, infographics, charts, and videos. Screen-sharing can keep participants visually engaged and help explain complex concepts more effectively.

• How to share your screen: Click on the Present Now button in the lower-right corner, then select whether you want to share your entire screen, a specific window, or a Chrome tab.

5. Create a Collaborative Environment

5.1. Encourage Peer-to-Peer Interactions

Instead of having one person speak for the entirety of the meeting, promote peer-to-peer interaction. Have participants pair up for small group discussions or encourage team-based brainstorming. This gives everyone a chance to share their input and creates a sense of community.

• Tip: Use breakout rooms for small group discussions or peer feedback sessions, and then have each group share their findings with the larger group.

5.2. Collaborative Document Editing

For more hands-on collaboration, use Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides to work together in real time. Share the document link in the chat, and allow participants to add their ideas, comments, or edits as the meeting progresses.

• How to use Google Docs: Before or during the meeting, create a document and share the link with attendees. This collaborative approach encourages active participation and ensures everyone is on the same page.

6. Maintain Energy and Engagement Throughout the Meeting

6.1. Keep it Dynamic

Avoid long monologues. Break your presentation into smaller, digestible segments, and mix up the delivery with interactive activities, Q&A sessions, or group discussions. This keeps energy levels up and prevents the meeting from feeling monotonous.

• Tip: Alternate between presenting slides, asking questions, using polls, and encouraging discussion to keep the momentum going.

6.2. Use Breaks Effectively

Long meetings can lead to fatigue and disengagement. Incorporate short breaks to give participants a chance to stretch, refresh, and reset. During these breaks, encourage networking or informal chats among participants.

7. Make It Fun with Special Features

7.1. Fun Filters and Effects

For informal meetings or social events, consider using fun filters or effects in Google Meet to lighten the mood and entertain participants. You can add effects like face filters, confetti, or artistic backgrounds to make the session more playful.

• How to add filters: In Google Meet, click on the three dots in the lower-right corner and select Settings. Then, go to the Video tab and enable fun filters or backgrounds.

7.2. Celebrate Milestones

Acknowledge birthdays, achievements, or special events during your meetings to boost morale and foster a sense of community. Virtual celebrations like singing happy birthday, celebrating work anniversaries, or recognizing accomplishments can create a positive and engaging atmosphere.

8. Conclusion

Creating engaging and interactive Google Meet sessions requires planning, creativity, and leveraging the platform’s features. By incorporating activities like polls, breakout rooms, collaborative tools, and gamification, you can transform a standard meeting into a dynamic and participatory experience. Remember to encourage open communication, keep the energy high, and foster a collaborative environment to ensure that all participants stay engaged and involved throughout the session. Whether you’re hosting a work meeting, virtual class, or social event, these strategies will help make your Google Meet sessions memorable and impactful.