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Guide · 6 min read

How to make training interactive

People stop listening when all they do is listen. Here's a simple rhythm and a handful of interactive session ideas for keeping a room with you, in person or on a video call.

The QG Playground team·Updated 2026-09-24
Quick answerUpdated 2026-09-24

How do you make training interactive?

Make training interactive by giving the room something to do every 15 to 20 minutes, rather than saving questions for the end. Open with an activity instead of a slide, such as a word cloud asking what people want from the session or a poll on a belief you'll challenge later, so everyone acts in the first two minutes. Between topics, use quick questions, polls and short discussions to reset attention and show you who is following. Use competition carefully: a leaderboard adds energy in the middle and at the end, but leave it out for sensitive topics and confidence checks, where honest answers matter more. On video calls, interact more often, about every 10 minutes, and lean on polls and word clouds so nobody has to unmute. Close with a short quiz on the key points and a one-minute feedback survey, so you leave with evidence of what landed and a report you can share.

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The 15-minute rhythm

People drift when they only listen. A reliable rhythm is to give the room something to do every 15 to 20 minutes: a poll, a quick question, a word cloud, or a short discussion. It resets attention and tells you who's following.

Open with a question, not a slide

Start with a word cloud (“In one word, what do you want from today?”) or a poll on a belief you'll challenge later. It gets every person to act in the first two minutes, and it gives you something to refer back to.

Use competition carefully

A leaderboard lifts the energy fast, and adults are often more competitive than they admit. Use it in the middle and at the end of a session, not for sensitive topics or confidence checks, where people should answer honestly rather than strategically.

On video calls

  • Share your browser window with the presenter view; people join on their own phones or in another tab.
  • Say the room code out loud and put it in the chat.
  • Interact more often than in person: every 10 minutes.
  • Use word clouds and polls for quieter groups; nobody has to unmute.

End with proof

Close with a short quiz on the key points and a one-minute feedback survey. You leave with evidence of what landed and what didn't, and a report you can send to the client or your manager. See interactive presentations and pre and post training tests.

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Common questions.

Can't find it? The help centre has step-by-step answers.

How often should a training session be interactive?
Every 15 to 20 minutes in the room, and about every 10 minutes on a video call, where attention drops faster.
Should I use a leaderboard in training?
Yes, in the middle and at the end for energy. Leave it out for sensitive topics and confidence checks, where honest answers matter more than winning.
How should an interactive session end?
With a short quiz on the key points and a one-minute feedback survey, so you leave with evidence of what landed and a report to share.

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FeaturesInteractive presentationsFeaturesLive pollsFree toolsWord cloud generatorFeaturesQuiz competitionsGuidesWriting great quiz questionsGuidesMeasuring training effectiveness

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