FAQs for remote teaching in Spring 2021

How can I run my tutorials remotely?

We recommend using Zoom as a replacement for smaller classes where there’s lots of interactivity (typically tutorials and seminars). We suggest:

• Keeping the size of Zoom Meetings to less than 50 students, as this keeps things manageable
• You could probably handle 50-100 students if you’re experienced, or you had a second person to help manage interactions
• We recommend alternative models for large cohorts / classes greater than 100 (keep reading!)
• Keeping the time limited, we recommend no more than 1 hour even if you usually have 2-hour tutorials.

How do I record and distribute short videos to my students instead of recorded lectures?

Start by viewing our media guide on how to convert content to video. This covers preparation, recording, and distribution to ensure all students can access your materials.

In addition, it’s important that your audio and video content is captioned for accessibility reasons. Our Kaltura captioning guide provides instructions on how to do so using machine-captioning as a basis.

Start by viewing our media guide on how to convert content to video. This covers preparation, recording, and distribution to ensure all students can access your materials.

How does the Whiteboard option in Zoom work?

The whiteboard function works best if you have a touch screen with a stylus, either a tablet or touch screen PC. If your tablet is connected you can share that with your participants via the sharing options. It does work with using your mouse but it can be a bit tricky if you don’t have much experience. You can also use the ‘type’ function on the Zoom whiteboard if you want your writing to be very clear.

To learn more about the Whiteboard option in Zoom, view our resource on communicating with students during a Zoom meeting.

Where can I find training Zoom and Teams training for our students?

There are some good online resources available for students to get started with Zoom and Teams. We also have a Student guide to Zoom which you can share with your students.

How can I manage student presentations online (groupwork or individual)?

For individual presentations, you can use Zoom with the same time limits as expected in the original face-to-face class, or ask students to do their presentation on video and submit it.  If you choose the latter and the criteria relate to the content of the presentation and students’ communication skills, make it clear to students that you will not be judging the quality of their video recording and they should not edit it.

For group presentations, student groups will need to have prepared in advance and sequenced the speakers in their presentation (which is usually what happens in class anyway).  You can still use Zoom. In the presenting group, one of the group members should share their screen if they are using visuals. Presenting group members can have their video on, with all other students having their video off, or you can just use audio for all student