Using Zoom to Accommodate Online Students for In-Person Classes
Did you know you can use Zoom with the audio-visual technology found in the classrooms, studios, and computer labs at ECU for both in-person and remote course delivery?
Here is a primer to help you achieve the best of both worlds as you plan for the upcoming semester:
NOTE: If you have not already obtained your ECU Zoom license, you can do so by following the instructions found here. This same webpage also contains a wealth of knowledge and resources on the Zoom videoconference platform.
Are you teaching in person and find yourself wondering how your students at home will join your classes and participate remotely?
A good place to start is to connect your computer or device to the audio-visual system in the space you are teaching in.
At Emily Carr, there are 3 different types of spaces:
- Classrooms
- Studios
- Computer Labs
Though the technologies vary slightly from room to room, the principle is the same across all spaces. You have a visual source (projector, screen, or display), an audible source (speakers), as well as a means of connecting to this technology.
Using an HDMI cable to connect your device running Zoom to the AV system is the most surefire way to engage with your audience at home.
Some spaces will have wall panels while others have AV racks. Both will contain HDMI connectors.
Connect one end of your HDMI cable here, and connect the other end to your device.
Next, on the keypanel or touchpanel (depending on the space) activate the system by pressing "On" followed by "Wall Plate." This will activate the projector, screen, or display and recreate your device's image for everyone to see in the space you are in.
The keypanels or touchpanels give you some basic controls over volume and muting.
Once you are connected, it's time to open Zoom on your device.
Once you've opened the Zoom app on your device, start your meeting!
In the meeting, you will be able to change certain settings that reflect the AV technology in the space you are teaching in.
Look to the bottom left corner of the Zoom call window, here you will find the Microphone (Mute/Unmute) and the Camera (Start/Stop Video) icons. To the right of the icons are little arrows, click on these arrows for additional control.
Most critically, you will need to click on the arrow to the right of the microphone icon. A drop-down menu presents you with options for changing your microphone and speaker sources. Your microphone may remain your built-in mic, however, you will want to change your speaker setting.
Under "Select a Speaker" select "Crestron", this is the name of the classroom speaker system. Just like that, you should be seeing and hearing your student audience on-screen and over the speakers.
If you've followed these steps, here is what you will have accomplished:
- Your class in person will be able to see and hear you
- Your class at home will be able to see and hear you
- Your class at home will be able to interact and ask questions over Zoom, those in-person will see and hear them
- You will be able to share content with both your in-person and remote audience
NOTE: If a student in the physical space raises a question, it is not guaranteed that the remote audience will be able to hear them. You may want to explore using other peripherals (i.e. external webcams and microphones) to improve the interaction quality.
For more dynamic options in the Zoom meeting environment, please see the next section.