Web conferencing hacks
Web conferencing enables students and teachers to connect virtually online. This face-to-face medium is awesome for distant learning and your digital classroom.
Checklist Tech checklist – make sure your computer
Sound quality – do you have headphones
can web conference and test your settings
with a microphone?
Make sure your computer has a webcam or
Your space – do you have a clear, quiet space
purchase and plug in
without distraction or interruption?
Teach online like a pro! Virginia Cluff is Head Teacher of Science, delivering online education at Aurora College – a NSW Virtual Selective High School. Here are her top tips for running web conferences.
1.
Be prepared
Utilise OneNote or another online platform to have your lesson mapped out, links embedded, questions to be answered, your presentation ready and linked into the page.
2.
Be engaging
You are teaching in ONLY 2D not 3D so ask
3.
Be a feedback master
As your students are going to be digitally answering questions, give them feedback on how they are progressing. This can be marked on screen (with a red pen-style tick), or better still verbally. Some platforms allow you to leave verbal feedback for students that records your annotations in time with your feedback.
4. Create a great environment for lesson delivery
questions and get feedback. Use a variety of
The best place is a desk connected to high quality
platforms eg. Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom
internet. For me, it’s my home office with cabled
etc. In online learning, students don’t copy notes
internet plugged into my laptop. I love dual
from a board, we give them all to them ... lessons are
screens – my laptop connected to an external
conversational, and you are asking them to consider
monitor with the display extended. I can then
the information and answer a question, apply the
easily see the classroom setup and the second
information, demonstrate understanding. Videos,
screen can be the material I’m sharing with
interactives, Kahoot quizzes, problems to solve all
the students. My laptop and a headset with a
help to keep the learning engaging.
microphone are essential to teach online.
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