Recommendations for using technology in IU classrooms with hybrid or virtual learning

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Overview

Indiana University instructors who teach in virtual or hybrid classrooms may want to:

  • Allow one or more students to attend a live class session remotely via Zoom.
  • Record their class sessions for students who are not attending in person.

The recommendations outlined below will allow students watching a class recording or joining a live class session remotely to:

  • Hear the instructor.
  • See the classroom's computer screen and hear audio from it.
  • See the instructor or the in-class students via the classroom's webcam.
  • See the instructor's handwritten course materials via the classroom's document camera.

When a student joins the class remotely via Zoom, following these recommendations will allow the instructor and in-class students to:

  • Hear the remote students.
  • See the remote students.

Recommendations

Be safe

To ensure everyone's safety, wipe down the surfaces of instructional furniture and equipment before and after use. Each classroom will contain a spray bottle of approved cleaning solution and paper towels. Don't spray the cleaning solution directly on computers or equipment; spray the cleaning solution on paper towels, and then wipe the surfaces of the lectern and any technology (computer keyboard, mouse, microphone, touch panels, etc). If you touched it, be sure to wipe it down. For additional cleaning supplies, contact:

Start with Zoom

Using the classroom computer to join a scheduled Zoom meeting allows you to record the classroom's computer screen, microphones, webcam, and document camera. It also allows you to invite one or more students to synchronously attend class remotely. For more, see About Zoom at IU.

Record your class

Consider setting Zoom to automatically record your meeting and choose to record to the cloud; for help, see Automatic Recording from the Zoom Help Center. When you end the meeting, your recording will be automatically delivered to your Kaltura account. For more, see About Kaltura at IU.

Know your microphone

Every general inventory classroom has at least one microphone for the instructor to use for Zoom sessions and classroom recordings. Search the IU Classroom Database to determine which microphones are available in each classroom you will be using.

There are a variety of microphone setups in classrooms, but the typical options include:

  • The microphone built into the classroom's webcam is the minimum microphone available in every classroom and picks up voices directly in front of the webcam. If this is the only microphone available in your classroom, you will need to position yourself in front of the webcam in order to be heard in the classroom recording or by remote students who join via Zoom. To adjust the direction of the microphone (and the angle of the webcam video), see Know Your Camera, below. Do not expect this microphone to pick up voices of in-classroom students. Plan to repeat the in-classroom comments and questions for remote students and the recording.
  • Ceiling microphones are available in some classrooms and allow the instructor to roam more freely in the classroom while continuing to be heard. If your classroom has ceiling microphones, Zoom on the classroom computer will automatically select these microphones to use. Because ceiling microphones pick up a larger portion of the classroom, they are more likely to pick up the voices of in-classroom students.
  • Wireless (lavalier and handheld) microphones are available in some larger classrooms and provide premium audio clarity of the instructor's voice. When using a lavalier microphone, attach the mic near the base of your neck (not on your face mask) for best results.

Know your camera

The classroom's webcam is mounted to a monitor with a flexible arm you can turn for better viewing angles of the classroom and students. As you teach, remember where the camera is pointing, and make a point of addressing the camera, especially when interacting with your remote students. This helps them feel more connected.

Know your document camera

Do not use the classroom's whiteboards or chalkboard because your recording and live Zoom participants will not be able to see these clearly. Instead, share the classroom's document camera in Zoom and use it for hand-written or whiteboard content. For clarity, use high contrast pen and paper (a black felt pen and yellow legal pad work best).

To share the document camera so that remote participants can see it:

  1. Make sure the classroom document camera is turned on.
  2. On the lectern touch panel, select PC (not Document Camera).
  3. In Zoom, choose Share Screen.
  4. When prompted to select what you want to share, click the Advanced tab, select Content from 2nd Camera, and click Share.

For help using the specific model of camera in your room, see About classroom document cameras.

Get help

If you have questions about classroom technology, contact UITS Classroom Technology Support (cthelp@iu.edu, 812-856-2020).

This is document bghb in the Knowledge Base.
Last modified on 2023-10-31 12:25:34.