Research Guides: Classroom Technology: Classroom Technology Checklist

Introduction

This page is intended to provide a quick checklist to make sure you've remembered the key things that need to be taken care of when you are teaching a class to both an in-person or online audience.

Before Class

Set up your online meeting for students who will be connecting to your class online. If you plan on meeting on Zoom, use the Blackboard Zoom integration to set up your sessions directly from within your course (instructions for using Zoom in Blackboard can be found here). If you plan on recording your Zoom session, make sure you select the settings so that the meetings are recorded automatically in the cloud. Collaborate sessions should also be set up directly from your course within Blackboard (see more on creating Collaborate sessions here).
Communicate to your students how they should access your online sessions, so any students who need to attend virtually will know where to go at class time.
Submit a request to the Help Desk if you plan to use the portable document camera.
If you are teaching in a DE room and are planning on connecting to Zoom using the DE system, submit a ticket to the Help Desk so they can connect the system in the room to your Zoom session. Include your Zoom meeting ID, passcode, and class time and location.

During Class

Initial setup

As a general precaution, wipe the equipment you are planning to use (monitors, mouse, keyboard, doc camera if needed).
Turn the classroom displays/AV system on.
On the podium computer, log in into your Blackboard course and start your Zoom or Collaborate meeting.

Audio/video check

Make sure the camera is pointed at you and adjust if not.
If needed, adjust the audio level coming out of the speakers in the room through the “volume” buttons on the A/V panel to make sure you can hear your remote students.

Sharing your screen

Make sure to have your Zoom/Collaborate share window projected on the screen in the classroom so that your face-to-face students can see it.

Using document camera

Use the "Content from 2nd Camera" share option in Zoom and "Share Camera" option in Collaborate.
Adjust position of the camera if necessary.

Taking questions

Build “pauses” during your lecture to take questions from your students by voice or via chat.
If needed, repeat questions asked by your face-to-face students to make sure your remote students can hear them.

Polling

Use Turning Point if you are already familiar with it or some free polling tools available on the web.

Breakout sessions

Same as usual on Zoom/or Collaborate.
Set up breakout groups in the classroom making sure the groups AND members are all at least 6 feet apart.

At the end of class

Stop the Zoom or Collaborate recording and leave the meeting.
Logout from all applications (make sure you are logged out from the Zoom app).
Turn off the classroom displays/AV system.
Turn off all mics and return them to the chargers on the podium when applicable.
Leave the computer powered on.

Support

For help during class, call the classroom support number displayed on the wall by the phone.

After Class

Access your recording via the Cloud Recording tab on the Zoom app in Blackboard (it may take a while for the recording to appear – allow at least several hours after your class ended).
Zoom cloud recordings now sync automatically to Kaltura, as well. Instructions for embedding them in your Blackboard courses can be found here: https://mcphs.libguides.com/centerteachinglearning/kaltura#s-lg-box-wrapper-30337269.

Consider interacting with your students asynchronously using discussion boards or other digital technology available via Blackboard.