#1 Screen Space & Bandwidth Saving Hack

Request that all participants print a copy of the slides or have an additional screen or device to project their slides. Number your slides for easy reference and verbally refer to the slides as you teach. Avoid using the share screen function unless necessary. This saves bandwidth, screen space and keeps your participants engaged, as well as no more panic attacks while looking for that specific set of slides to share.

#2 Reduce Backend Administration for Breakout Sessions in Zoom Hack (Random Group Members)

Use “random assign” at the start of the day for breakout groups and keep the group constant for the rest of that Zoom session. That saves a lot of backend administration, unless it is imperative that they discuss only in, say, their specific project group.

#3 Reduce Backend Administration for Breakout Sessions in Blackboard Collaborate Hack (Specific Group Members)

Are you aware that your participants can set up their own video-conference session on Blackboard Collaborate? If participants must work in their respective project groups, have the participants set up their own small group video session in Blackboard Collaborate prior to the start of your lecture.

During the breakout session, the participants can meet in their respective ‘project rooms’ in Blackboard Collaborate instead of using Zoom. To save bandwidth, they can exit your Zoom session and sign in again at an appointed time. You may ‘visit’ them in their Blackboard Collaborate room if they include you.

This hack saves time and effort for the host (usually you) who needs to assign nearly 200 pax into specific breakout rooms at the start of a zoom session, as it only possible to assign after your participants sign in.

You may go through this set of slides prepared by IN-Learning to orientate your participants how to meet them on ZOOM and for them to start their small group meet up via Blackboard Collaborate in your first lecture: LINK.