Synchronous Classroom Instructions

While most of its online courses are asynchronous, Immaculata now offers some virtual classes using a synchronous classroom (specifically for classes identified as either Virtual "Live" or Remote Synchronous).

Synchronous courses provide instruction via a live streaming platform. Classes "meet" on a fixed schedule in the same way face to face ("traditional") classroom courses do. As in a traditional class, synchronous class students experience faculty giving live lectures and asking questions. Also, such students are expected to engage in class discussions via the online connection as directed by the course instructor.

Whether using Google Meet or MS Teams as the course's live streaming platform, faculty and students need to review the instructions provided to learn how to use the tool and successfully engage in a live streaming session. Be sure you know how to use the streaming platform in advance of your first class meeting.

We recommend using either the desktop or mobile version of the applications for each of the synchronous platforms. Please see the download instructions published on the Synchronous Learning at IU site. If unable we recommend using the most recent version of Google Chrome to ensure uninterrupted functionality.

Please note: any of the streaming platforms are accessible via computers, smart phones or tablets by downloading the appropriate apps to those devices.

For ADA compliance, videos should have closed captions for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers. Include an audio description and transcript for blind users. Faculty should take all measures to ensure compliance.

Effective Online Classroom Management Tips

Test the Technology Beforehand

Nothing will derail your online lesson faster than fumbling with the your slideshow or your video conference. The most important is your video conferencing app (Google Meet or Microsoft Teams), followed by your presentation app (Google Slides or PowerPoint).

Make sure you know how to mute a student. And if you’re planning to use breakout rooms, try them beforehand with colleagues. It’s tricky to transition everyone into their breakout rooms and bring them back at the same time. Be extra careful about muting myself while changing rooms.

Establish Norms

Set the ground rules for classroom management at the beginning of the course. You’ll want to set norms that make you feel comfortable, while also creating the best environment for learning. If students have a say in creating the rules, they will be more likely to follow them. Students often come up with many of the rules you may have come up with anyway. In fact, they’ll point out some issues you wouldn’t have expected. Consider a break-out session in the first week of class giving students guiding questions for their conversations. What is appropriate dress for online meetings? When and how should we ask questions? Will we use hand signals? Once the classroom norms are established, post them in your course.

Emphasize Engagement

If we can’t engage our students, they may stop showing up. And if they stop showing up, we may never get them back.

Students working online have access to endless sources of information. They don’t need a teacher to explain something for 45 minutes. Minimize straight lecture and keep whole-group sessions short. Use this time to prepare students for a hands-on activity. More on how to plan engaging online lessons here.

Let students know that you’re there for them, make a few announcements, and send them off to complete their activities. Students learn more through activities and problem-solving than they do by absorbing information.

This is true even in an in-person classroom. But it’s especially true during online learning. If we can engage our students in our lessons, online classroom management almost takes care of itself.

Create Connections using Small Groups

Students, like all of us, are starved for personal connections. Whole class meetings can help create a sense of normalcy. But it’s hard to have meaningful online conversations with 30 people.

Make sure to schedule some time with small groups of students. They don’t even need to be lessons per se. Get to know your students. Encourage them, and listen to their frustrations about learning online. Maybe even share your own (with a positive spin).

Students will need extra encouragement during these difficult times. Just don’t turn the online experience into a correspondence course. Students need human connection now more than ever. The human element will make your students more motivated.

For instructions on managing Groups

Start Slowly

• The way to get the most out of our students when teaching remotely is to take a step back. Let them have fun. Let them make mistakes. Make them feel ok, no matter how much work they are getting done.

• It will take some students longer than others to adjust. But we will get better results with a supportive and understanding approach than by trying to force things.

• Be open to the possibility that our students will learn more responsibility, develop social-emotional skills, and master more content than they would in a live classroom.