
This kit is focused on live streaming your class sessions, and is designed especially for those who have very recently transitioned their campus-based class to a remote setting, or who are new to remote teaching and/or remote streaming. In general, we recommend Zoom as a virtual classroom option. Zoom is a virtual meeting software that is already integrated into your D2L course shell. (See how to get started with Zoom via D2L.) It offers a white board, screen sharing, and other functionalities for real-time meetings. See our suggestions for accommodating a range of unique classroom setups if you’re worried streaming off campus won’t work for you.
Consider the fact that some students may not have adequate technology or Internet access to meet via Zoom on a regular basis. Let your students know whether you expect live attendance in sessions, or if unable, they can watch the recording later and email comments. We recommend planning optional synchronous Zoom sessions with regular office hours held via Zoom, email, phone, or whatever mode works best for students.
Let students know if they should:
For example:
As you might do in a campus classroom, summarize the key points of the session and prepare students for what they will need to do before the next session, leaving time for questions. We strongly recommend including this information in writing on D2L, as it will assist remote students and save you time in answering questions.
You can summarize, either in writing or verbally, what you learned from student polls. Students are often very interested in and learn much from how others respond. If possible, you might incorporate students’ responses as you move through related topics in the session.
Slides, websites, graphics or brief videos can illustrate and underscore the goals of your session, and can provide a springboard for discussion with students. Give students access to the files you’ll be using during your remote session whenever possible so they can review and reference as needed. This can be shared in D2L prior to the session or during the session using Zoom’s Screen Share feature.
There are several manageable ways to engage students during live remote sessions: involving students in testing or applying ideas, generating examples, or reflecting on course activities, among other options. OAI’s Active Remote Learning Kit contains additional strategies for involving students in live streaming sessions.
As we’re all learning to work remotely, the OAI staff have developed some tips to ease common challenges in streaming from home.
Some unexpected technology or other slips may occur during class meetings. Your students and you are embarking on a new experience together, and they will be forgiving. Develop a backup plan just in case things go awry. For example, will you be able to temporarily phone into your class until you can restart your computer and get back on wifi? Can you move to a back up discussion in D2L if something in Zoom does not work? Student feedback data shows that audio is key to student understanding and participation. A back-up plan for audio is a must. Most of all … be kind to yourself! Your first face-to-face teaching session probably wasn’t perfect either!
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.We'd love to hear from you. Full-service remote support is available to all PSU instructors through the Office of Academic Innovation. Contact the virtual Faculty Support Desk, Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm.