Be an early bird: Open link a few minutes before class
Say their names: Welcome students by name as they join, one by one
Make it personal: Mention background; ask them how they’re feeling
Have an ice-breaker
Intro to topic of the day
1 or 2 things that we like about the class, and 1 thing we look forward to seeing in the future
1 thing you learnt today, and 1 thing you would have liked to see in today’s class
OPI style: What are your plans for the rest of the day? What are you going to do after this class?
Ways to “Scaffold” Before/During Group/Pair Work in Breakout Rooms
Visual Aids/Prompts (that don’t require “Screen Share” -- ex. PDF, Google Site, Nearpod)
Explicit Requests For Original Follow-up Questions (shared later after closing, see below)
Model Sample Chat With a Student First
Note: Automatic assignment saves time; Alternatively, prep list of pairs/groups ahead of time
Ways to Extend a Conversation After Closing Breakout Rooms
Reactions
Follow-up Questions
Additions: I do X and Y, but I don’t do Z
Reporting on somebody else
Finding commonalities within a breakout room