Classes are taught via Zoom with pre-scheduled meeting times. Students may be expected to access online resources to supplement their learning.
Key Principles for Success
- Join each class a bit early—especially your first. Leave time for mic and camera checks, etc. Some students arrive early, as well.
- Set aside time on Day 1 to orient students to the format. Make sure students' microphones and camera are working. Direct students how to ask and respond to questions. Encourage microphone muting when not speaking. Encourage professional appearance. Run some practice activities if needed. If practical, give students a chance to talk or chat to become comfortable with the environment.
- Use the interactive features frequently. Keep students participating by asking a lot of questions, using polls, breakout rooms, and chat.
- Make a plan for each class. Share your agenda at the start of class and even ahead of time so that students know what to expect.
- Embrace pauses and silence. Students will need extra time to answer your questions verbally or via chat, access links or files, and read. Give extra time. As with in-person teaching, giving students time to reflect is a valuable teaching strategy.
- Watch the chat closely. Consider co-opting a student or TA to monitor chat. Read and respond to chat questions aloud.
- Act relaxed and confident. Remember that delays, mistakes, and troubleshooting can be learning experiences and time for students to reflect. If a problem arises and some initial troubleshooting doesn't work, move on and check with CIDI afterward for help, if needed.
FAQs
Can I pick the time my class meets?
The start and end time of the class should meet the standard bell schedule to accommodate students who may be taking other classes.
Teachers are required to schedule their Zoom meetings.
Will students be expected to meet minimum Internet speed and equipment requirements?
Students will be expected to meet equipment and Internet connectivity standards, including requirements for a camera and microphone. They can call the IT Service Desk for technology assistance.
Can I require students to leave their cameras on through the whole class session?
Students should expect to have their cameras on while joining virtual class sessions.
Can a Virtual class have reduced synchronous time, replaced by online asynchronous activities.
No. It needs to follow the published schedule.
Preparation
Make sure you have each item in the below before you teach your first class:
- Bandwidth: Originate from a location with strong network bandwidth.
- Prepared Students: Communicate with your students about how and when to connect to your class sections and what to come prepared with.
- Instructional Plan: Develop an instructional plan and include strategies for engaging with your students, no matter the class size.
- Familiarity: Make sure you know all about how to get started and host a meeting in Zoom, including how to share your screen, enable your camera and microphone, and start/stop/share recordings. Complete a test run from your origination location (the classroom or office you will be teaching from). Be sure you are comfortable with the equipment you will be using and have the Zoom desktop app installed on the computer. Get help from the Classroom or CIDI team if you are uncertain how to operate the equipment and software you will be using.
- Equipment: Ensure you have appropriate and functioning computer, microphone, and camera equipment. See all technology requirements for Zoom, including equipment and bandwidth recommendations. An equipment systems check will be required for all teaching locations.
FAQs
Can I pick the time my class meets?
The start and end time of the class should meet the standard bell schedule to accommodate students who may be taking other classes.
Teachers are required to schedule their Zoom meetings.
Will students be expected to meet minimum Internet speed and equipment requirements?
Students will be expected to meet equipment and Internet connectivity standards, including requirements for a camera and microphone. They can call the IT Service Desk for technology assistance.
Can I require students to leave their cameras on through the whole class session?
Students should expect to have their cameras on while joining virtual class sessions.
Can a Virtual class have reduced synchronous time, replaced by online asynchronous activities.
No. It needs to follow the published schedule.
Course Management
Course Quality
Engagement Strategies
Embrace pauses and silence
Students will need extra time to answer your questions verbally or via chat, access links or files, and read. Give extra time. As with in-person teaching, giving students time to reflect is a valuable teaching strategy.
Leverage technology to let students engage
- Use Polls. Zoom has built-in polling features.
- Use breakout rooms for smaller group-discussions if needed.
- Watch the chat closely. For some students it is more comfortable and feels less disruptive to post a question in chat than to unmute themselves and pipe in. Consider co-opting a student or TA to monitor chat. Read and respond to chat questions aloud.
Act relaxed and confident
Remember that delays, mistakes, and troubleshooting can be learning experiences and time for students to reflect. If a problem arises and some initial troubleshooting doesn't work, move on and check with CIDI afterward for help, if needed.
Content Delivery
As with other traditional synchronous delivery methods (in-person and connect), the scheduled class times for virtual classes are the major component of the content delivery through instructor lecture, class discussion, polls, assignment discussions and other activities.
Students may also be expected to access online resources to supplement their class learning time, be it supplemental video material, online and textbook readings, and Canvas quizzes, assignments, and discussions.
Assessment
Relevant Articles
A web broadcast course is taught synchronously through a web conferencing platform. USU's supported platform is Zoom, which is available to USU students and faculty.