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

4. During the Session

  • Test your audio settings. Refer to the Testing Computer or Device Audio guide by Zoom.
  • If using a webcam:
    • Check your background is free from distractions.
    • Place your laptop at a comfortable height.
    • Use the webcam for the introduction and for physical demonstrations, but turn it off for the rest of the meeting as this will save bandwidth.
  • Use active learning tools within Zoom, such as polling and reactions to engage students. Refer to the Using non-verbal feedback and meeting reactions and Conducting polls in meetings guides by Zoom. 
    • Use reactions as a ‘check in’ to see how students are coping with new concepts.
    • Use polling for knowledge check questions after a particular topic has been discussed to ensure students understand content.
    • Use reactions or polling to gauge whether students can relate to the topic being discussed or have used a particular theory in practice. 
  • Encourage discussion through the chat window, but ensure strategies are in place for managing large groups of students (i.e. over 30 students). Refer to the In-Meeting Chat guide by Zoom.
    • Enlist a few trustworthy students or tutors to respond to questions on your behalf.
    • Enlist someone to collate and privately message you, through the in-meeting chat, any questions that were not answered or missed.
  • Encourage verbal student responses and questions.
    • Use the 'raise hand' reaction to manage students wanting to speak and to avoid interuptions. Refer students to the Reactions and Polling in a Zoom meeting student guide. 
    • Refer to students by name over the microphone when addressing their question or idea to ensure students feel appreciated for contributing, and to encourage participation.
  • Use breakout rooms to facilitate group work and automatically place students in a room to complete an activity. Refer to the Getting Started with Breakout Rooms guide by Zoom.
    • As the host, you are able to join different breakout rooms to check on student progress.
    • As the host, you can broadcast a message to all breakout rooms, such as time warnings or instructions, and can close all breakout rooms with a countdown of 1 minute.
  • If pausing the recording (i.e. if students go into breakout rooms), ensure you verbally say you are about to pause and record to avoid confusion when students rewatch the recording. Refer to the Recording a Zoom meeting guide by ITS.