eLearning

Virtual Classroom Teaching and Learning Tips (Ultra)

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A virtual classroom is an online learning environment that allows for live interaction between the instructor and students, regardless of location, through a video conferencing system. The university's video conferencing system, Zoom, can be used to host:

  • virtual lectures for large classes where students are mostly passive learners
  • interactive tutorials (with approx. 35 participants) where students are active learners
  • individual consultations where a student can meet with the instructor one-on-one

Zoom has a range of functionality to help facilitate an interactive and engaging virtual learning environment. Zoom allows you to:

  • share your screen or specific applications (i.e. a presentation through PowerPoint)
  • annotate on top of your shared screen or using a shared virtual whiteboard
  • view other participants' screens (subject to settings)
  • conduct polls to gage prior knowledge or opinions on a particular topic
  • encourage student feedback through reactions
  • communicate with participants through the in-meeting chat
  • facilitate group work with breakout rooms

The following guide includes a range of tips to support staff in facilitating a virtual classroom environment:

  1. Preparing for a Virtual Classroom
  2. Pre-Session
  3. Introductory Session
  4. During the Session
  1. Post-Session
  2. Tips for Virtual Consultations
  3. Tips for Virtual Tutorials and Seminars
  4. Example Virtual Classroom Plan

2. Pre-Session

  • Advise students to purchase a headset or earphones with a built in microphone to avoid feedback from poor microphone quality.
  • When scheduling a meeting, it is recommended you adjust the default settings in Zoom to best suit a virtual classroom environment. Refer to the Recommended Settings for Using Zoom for Teaching guide.
  • Consider inviting a guest speaker or industry expert to the Zoom meeting for a Q&A session where students are able to ask questions through the chat and verbally using the raise hand feature. 
  • Consider acknowledging via an announcement that the meetings will be recorded throughout the semester for those who are unable to attend. Refer to the Create, Schedule, Edit or Delete an Announcement guide. 
  • Create a PowerPoint for each session to maintain structure and distribute a copy to the students beforehand. Refer to the Example Virtual Classroom Plan section.
    • Begin with an engagement activity while you wait for all participants to join the session.
    • Start with an ‘agenda’ slide with a specific learning goal and strict timing for each section.
    • Plan staggered interactions throughout the meeting, such as reactions, question time or polling, to maintain student engagement. Ensure any polling questions are created before the session. Refer to the Conducting polls in meetings guide by Zoom. 
    • Include ‘break’ slides to give students time to process information, reflect, apply new ideas and ask questions.
    • Plan to get through less content than you would in a face-to-face session.
  • Optionally, set up a Discussion and instruct students to post any questions about a particular topic or assessment task in the discussion board before the Zoom session and dedicate time to answering those questions during the session. Refer to the Create a Discussion guide.
  • Consider having a co-host for the first few sessions until Zoom becomes more familiar. Refer to the Enabling and Adding a Co-Host guide by Zoom.