Some suggestions for a successful Remote Learning event:
- Have someone bring an additional laptop computer to the class and act as a moderator. This is optional for Webex and Teams meetings, but required for Zoom. There are many features to a meeting that are not available on the touch panel, like the Chat window, attendee list, Raise Hands, mute/unmute participant mics, etc. Having a laptop computer logged into the meeting gives access to these features. This is not necessary for Webex and Teams, as all the basic features of Remote Learning are available on the touch panel, but this moderator laptop can enhance the experience.
- Do NOT connect this moderator computer to the AV system! If connected to the AV system, the meeting audio from the moderator’s computer will be fed back into the AV system, creating a very irritating echo. If you must connect the moderator computer to the AV system, mute the computer’s audio output to prevent the echo.
- Be sure to mute the microphone on the moderator’s laptop! Leaving the laptop computer’s mic on can create feedback and other bad audio experiences.
- It is also a good idea to turn off the moderator’s camera.
- Students in the classroom may want to join the meeting while in the classroom. That can be done, but we do not recommend it. If they do, they must mute the microphone and speakers on their laptop! Leaving the student’s device’s mic and speakers on can create feedback and other bad audio experiences.
- There are no built-in microphones in the classroom audience area. If an in-room student wants to interact with remote instructors/students, there are two options:
- The moderator in the classroom, who is using one of the wireless microphones, can repeat the question.
- One of the wireless microphones can be passed around the audience or brought to the student with the question.
- There is only one classroom camera, located at the back of the room. This is what the remote instructor will see.
- Good web meeting etiquette applies here, like in any other web meeting.
- Remote participants should leave their mics muted unless they are actively participating.
- Remote participants should use a headset, or at least headphones. Using their device’s built-in speakers and microphone will give very poor quality audio (for both the remote and local side), and will likely cause an echo or feedback.
- Remote participants should be in a quiet, noise- and distraction-free environment, especially if they are participating. Loud sounds at the remote participant’s location may be heard in the classroom!
- The remote participant’s camera should be stable, in an appropriate setting with an appropriate background. If this is not possible, the remote participant should turn off their camera, unless they are actively participating. This camera may be shown in the classroom on a very large projection screen!
- All participants should take turns talking. Multiple people talking at the same time will likely be unintelligible.
- An active moderator can take care of most of these issues!
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