Whenever I am facilitating a virtual class, workshop or interactive session, I have my iPad connected to the session as a backup device to significantly improve the quality of my virtual facilitation.

Here are 6 surprising functions that my iPad delivers:

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1. It's a backup device.

While my main device is connected via a wifi connection, the iPad connects via a 5G connection. If I lose connectivity in one, I can quickly jump to the other device without any disruption.

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2. I never have to ask "do you see my screen?"

I have my ipad right next to me showing me what the participants see.

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3. It monitors the main room

When we have people working in breakout rooms, I can visit the breakout with my main device and leave the iPad monitoring the main lobby.

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4. It's an annotation tool

If I have a need to annotate on a Mural, Miro or Powerpoint, I can grab my iPad and use the Apple pencil to do any sketching or drawing (either using the annotation tool in Zoom or directly in Mural or Miro).

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5. It's a digital flipchart

If I need a blank "flipchart" to drawn something on, I can use my iPad and Apple Freeform to draw whatever I need.

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6. It's a alignment tool during simulations

When JP and I teach Flight Levels, Kanban or Metrics, we often facilitate simulations such as TWiG in 2 groups. When we do that, I facilitate one group from my main device and my iPad join the group that JP is facilitating, that way I can see how far each group is progressing and allows JP and I to keep aligned.

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Do you use a backup device? If you do, what other functions does it fulfil for you?

If you don't, I invite you to give it a try and check if you get similar benefits.