Synchronous Learning Platforms:

Zoom

Features 

• Works across multiple platforms 

• Free accounts available - limited to 40 minutes, but you can leave and return to the same room to continue for more time

• Whiteboard - users can join a Zoom room twice - once from a web browser, tablet/phone and use touchscreens to draw on whiteboard

• Screen sharing & screen control

• Breakout Rooms for Drop-in & separate tutoring sessions

How to Use Zoom 

• Zoom Help Center

• Getting Started with the Zoom client on Windows and Mac

• Zoom Video Tutorials from Zoom

Zoom on iOS

• Download the Zoom App for iOS

• Getting Started with Zoom for iOS

Zoom on Android

• Download the Zoom app for Android

• Getting Started with Zoom for Android

Additional How to Resources

• Zoom Video Tutorials on YouTube

• Rogers, R. (2017). Zoom Breakout Room Tutorial. SUNY Empire International Programs. Retrieved from: https://vimeo.com/264764136

• Rogers, R. & Clemens, S. (2018). Using Zoom and Zoom Breakout Rooms to Engage Learners. Digital Day Conference 2018. Saratoga Springs. Retrieved from: bit.ly/BreakoutRoomTutorialDrRogers

• •Breakoutrooms in action – Youtube Video

Google Hangouts

Features 

• Free accounts available

• Works across multiple platforms through Google Chrome or Apps for smartphones & tablets

• Voice calls/Allows for phone calls within the US & Canada

• Video-conferencing 

• Chat platform (instant messaging)– for up to 150 people

• Can created different rooms

• Message people anytime, even if they’re offline

How to Use Google Hangouts

• Hangouts Chat Help

• Detailed Tutorial: How to Use Google Hangouts 

Additional How to Resources

In response to the COVID-19 , Google has made Hangouts Premium service free for educational institutions through July 1st. This allows for some accessibility features such as live captioning can be turned on.  However, recordings are not automatically captioned. 

Facebook Watch Party

In addition to FBLive, you might even try a FB Watch party from your Learning Center or course page. You get to watch, talk and react to the same videos at the same time.

• What's the difference between Facebook Live and Watch Party? - Click here for an overview.

• Click here for a video that describes what is a FB Watch Party and how to host your own Watch Party.

Features

• Free accounts available

• Interaction is only via comments and emoji responses while a session is going live

• Recording and posting to Instagram page available

INSTAGRAM LIVE Resources

• How do I start a live video on Instagram?

• How to go live on Instagram

• How to go Live on Instagram (video - focus is on social media and online marketing goals). 

• How to Host A Successful Virtual Event: Tips and Best Practices