Below is a list of recommendations and tips that Liz Moliski put together to improve your online class experience and student engagement. Start by 1) reviewing all info on this page first and then 2) consider what tips you want to implement. Note, there are many tips you should or could implement. Focus on what you think will bring the most value to your class. If you have questions please direct them to VC-Trouble@mccombs.utexas.edu.
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- Access this via the link in the Zoom toolbar at the bottom of your live Zoom session.
- In this window, students can ask and answer each other’s questions in a chat thread
- TIP: Chat can be distracting when you are teaching so have a TA manage it if possible otherwise just check it and answer questions occasionally in batches
- TIP: Besides answering questions in chat, a TA can monitor questions and raise their hand to bring important questions to your attention
- Private chat can be helpful for quick group work, but it can also lead to chaos
- Chat can be saved
- The UT default is not to allow students to save chat
The Annotate Feature
UT has changed the default settings for all of our UT Zoom accounts to prevent individuals not affiliated with the university from interrupting meetings by using features like Annotate. However, Annotate can be re-enabled for your use. To retrieve the Annotate button:
- Sign in to Zoom at utexas.zoom.us
- Click on the Settings tab on the left side of the screen
- About halfway down the page (it’s a long page) you will see the Annotation setting. Click the button to turn it on.
- The next time you share your screen in a meeting you should see the Annotate button.
NOTE: You will want to “Disable participant annotation” at the beginning of each call to prevent others from drawing or writing on your screen. You can do this by:
- Click the “More” button on the control bar
- Select “Disable participants annotation”
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Breakout Rooms for Group Work
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- Multiple students can be on the mic (6-7 are usually fine) and one can share the presentation screen with the class. The others can talk and the presenter can advance the slides.
- Make presenters co-hosts (along with you) during their presentations so that they control the participant window and can handle raised hands and unmute other students to take questions.
- Insist that presenters be on mic and on camera.
- Students without cameras should at least be required to have a Zoom profile photo of themselves
- Encourage groups to use headsets or headphones with mics if possible.
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Zoom Meeting and Phone Statistics
Meeting statistics allow you to view various diagnostic information during a meeting. This allows you to gauge whether you are experiencing a network, audio, or video issue during your meeting. Please visit this Zoom article for more information:
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- Email VC-Trouble@mccombs.utexas.edu
- Call 512-232-6679 (GSB/CBA) and 512-232-4646 (RRH)
For all other UT faculty, please contact your respective college or school