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For Those Teaching Flex in Fall

01/09/21 13:29

Classroom Cheat Sheet

Information Services created a printable PDF cheat sheet. I highly recommend printing this out and bringing to each class.

Stylus

You don’t need a stylus; your finger will work just as well. If you want to use a stylus, you should use a capacitive stylus. Information Services recommends these for purchase:

Online Learning Assistant (OLA)

The deadline to request an OLA from the Center for Teaching and Learning has passed. If you are working with an OLA, they can help you:

Start and stop your class recording.
Manage breakout rooms.
Facilitate discussion, chat, and questions.

Your OLA will be most helpful if you explain your teaching style and preferences before class. You can meet with them virtually after class to discuss what worked and what did not work.

Scheduling Your Zoom Sessions

There are various ways that you can do this. Generally, it is best to stick with the method that you are most used to. Here are the instructions that the Teaching Commons provides.

When I teach Flex, I make a note to so this when scheduling the Zoom sessions:

Schedule a recurring meeting. Same Zoom connection details for each class.
Only authenticated users can join. This means only students (and guests) with DePaul accounts can join the Zoom session. This can cause minor frustration for students who do not read instructions the first week. In later weeks, this provides more security and less opportunity to be Zoombombed. You would want to relax this security setting if you are bringing virtual guest speakers to class (who do not have DePaul Zoom accounts).
Mute participants upon entry. This greatly reduces audio disruption. Students must actively unmute their microphones to talk.
Automatically record meeting (In the cloud). Alternatively, ask your OLA to start the recording at a set time (so you do not forget) or set an alarm to remind you to record.
Share the Zoom connection information. I do this in D2L, my syllabus, and in a class email to students. I bring the Zoom meeting ID and password to class (on paper or on my smartphone, in large type so I can read the correct information and connect to the correct Zoom session without hassle).

The First Class

Classes work better when everyone has a similar understanding of how the class will be taught and what the appropriate etiquette is. I have learned from experience that dedicating time the first class to explain how I will use the technology can be very helpful. I use this first class to show how I will teach, and how students can interact with the technology. I make sure to allow time for students to ask questions and to test their technology.

Sharing Content

The Trimodal rooms allow you to share content in these various sources:

Podium PC
Document Camera
Digital Blackboard
Laptop or tablet (wirelessly)
Student PC, laptop, or tablet (either wirelessly in the room or remote)

Before my first class, I practice the ways I intend to share content. Keeping things simple is recommended.

Classroom Interaction

Everyone has different teaching styles and preferences. Here is what has worked for me:

Actively engage the remote students first. Ask questions to the remote students first, and then pose the questions to the students in the physical classroom after.
Look at the camera when talking.
Repeat student questions. This ensures that remote students hear things clearly and in context.
10-minute break every hour. Post a message on screen and in chat to say that on break.

When Technology Fails

Use the room telephone to contact Classroom Tech Support:

(312) 362-5900 (Extension 2-5900)

If you see an error message or a problem, take a picture of it with your smartphone.

Additional Resources

The 3-week asynchronous D2L course that CTL offered this Summer (“Flex Instruction Training Summer 2021”). The course has ended, but you can be added as an “Observer” to see the material.
The “Training Open Houses” that CTL and Information Services have been offering and are continuing this September. You can contact ClassTechTraining@depaul.edu if you have questions.
The “Flex Fridays” sessions I have been offering and that I continue to offer this September. You can RSVP for upcoming session here.
The “Teaching In A Trimodal Room” webpage that I posted here.
The “Using Zoom+ and Trimodal Rooms” resource on the Teaching Commons website.

Tags: Flex, Trimodal Classroom, Online Learning, classroom, Zoom, HyFlex

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