Real-Time Communication
Pro Tip: However you video conference, it is recommended practice to use headphones or earbuds to reduce audio feedback. It is also courteous to mute your audio when you're not speaking.
Embedded Files
The Plantronics ("Poly") Voyager Bluetooth Earpiece is a device distributed to teaching staff in Fall 2020 for use with video conferencing and in-room AV systems. It has proven useful for feedback-free video meetings as well as for voice amplification and translation into a video call when teaching both in-person and online students simultaneously.
This is the Konftel wide-angle webcam with USB hub and mic/speaker combo. It has proven useful for teaching both in-person and online students simultaneously. It has also been helpful for classes of in-person students that video conference with teachers in other spaces.
Google Meet is a simple, straightforward tool we recommend for any real-time conversations you need to have with one or more participants. It includes video and audio support, screen-sharing, and text chat options.
Resources from BPS Webinar:
For teachers: how to start a Google Meet video meeting
To send to your other participants: how to join a Google Meet video meeting
Be sure to use the instructions for the device you are using. The teacher link above includes instructions for on-the-fly meetings and meetings you schedule in advance using Google Calendar.
Whiteboard.fi is a free online tool that creates a temporary set of individual whiteboards for any group of students that you invite with a join code. It pairs nicely with Google Meet, which does not currently have a built-in whiteboard function.
Teachers can push their own whiteboard content to students, and they can see all student whiteboards in one view in real time. No accounts are needed for this, just a class join code. Teachers can save whiteboards as PDF records as many times as necessary before logging off.
Here's a brief overview video on Whiteboard.fi.
Zoom is another option for free video conferencing. It has most of the same features that Google Meet has, and some other features that are unique. Zoom has Google Calendar integration through a separate extension software in Google Chrome (see below).
From BPS Webinar:
Use the link to log in and open your own Zoom Settings page, to review and edit your settings.
Download the Zoom Scheduler Chrome Extension
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