Using Online Conferencing Tools

Overview

As schools and districts work to provide eLearning opportunities for students, teachers have an opportunity to leverage conferencing tools to enhance the learning environment. Depending on whether your district uses Google Meet, Zoom, or a combination of the two, it is important to know how to use the tools and understand the context and purpose they have for learning. On these pages, teachers will find everything they need for successful conferencing seasons. They range from Teaching Strategies to Features and Functions as well as Tips for Success. For assistance with any of these tools please contact any member of the Model Schools team.

Prepare the Learning Environment

Meeting pre-requisites
Setting up meetings
Inviting students
Begin and end meetings

Security icon Ensuring a safer and as secure as possible learning environment is important in your physical classrooms as well as in your online virtual meetings and class get togethers. It is critical that educators take time to review and become familiar with the options, controls, and tools available in whatever web/online conference platform you use.

Google Meet Safe Meeting Practices >
Zoom Safe Meeting Practices >

Engaging Students in an Online Class

Managing class participation
Managing participants/members of a class
Effective Use of audio & visuals

Audio Video Icon Using the audio, video and chat features will help students and teachers become familiar with one another and help build unity among the class. Teachers can manage the participants in the room and turn student’s audio and video tools on when necessary. Utilizing the chat feature will allow every student’s voice to be heard in your class.

Communication Tools:
Google Meet Audio Video > | Google Meet Chat > | Google Meet People List
Zoom Audio Video > | Zoom Chat > | Zoom Participants List

Screenshare Your Content

Preparing your desktop to share content
Using the whiteboard
Annotating content

Screen Sharing Icon Learning how to share content with students will be important in this learning environment. Orchestrating the various tools will require some practice. Learning the importance of screensharing programs and its features will assist in mastering your objectives.

Google Meet Screen Sharing > | Google Meet Whiteboard >
Zoom Share Screen > | Zoom Whiteboard >

Opportunities for Small Group Work

Managing breakout rooms
Scheduling participant breakout rooms

Breakout rooms allow teachers to provide small group instruction for a select group of students or provide space for small project work, discussions and/or ideas to be developed.

Google Meet Breakout Rooms >
Zoom Breakout Rooms >

Continue the Learning When You Are Not There

Record your session
Retrieving your session

Audio Video Icon Many times students may want to “replay” a section of your class because they are still confused about the assignment or the content delivered. Other times students may have to miss class due to illness or personal issues. No matter what the reason, teachers have the option to record their lessons for future playback if they choose.

Google Meet Audio Video >
Zoom Audio Video >