Virtual Classroom Teaching and Learning Tips (Ultra)
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:
3. Introductory Session
Plan a short introductory session with the purpose of ensuring students are familiar with the structure of a virtual classroom and are competent in using all of the tools within Zoom.
- Audio and video settings should be tested by the teacher and students. Refer to the Testing Computer or Device Audio guide by Zoom.
- Establish student expectations in a virtual classroom setting, such as:
- The chat will not be monitored in real time through the meeting and should be used to ask topic-focused questions.
- Students should only use reactions when directed.
- Microphones/webcams need to remain off.
- Students can click on the ‘Raise Hand’ button to indicate they have a question.
- If students are having any technical difficulties, they can contact AskUS via webchat, phone or email for assistance.
- Give students the opportunity to introduce themselves either in the chat, or via webcam if it is a small group, to share where they are based, why they are taking the course and an interesting fact about themselves.
- Use reactions for icebreaker questions, as students are able to view which other students have the same response through the Participant's window. Refer to the Using non-verbal feedback and meeting reactions guide by Zoom.
- Use polling to gauge prior knowledge and experiences amongst the cohort and share results with students to show trends amongst the group. Refer to the Conducting polls in meetings guide by Zoom.