No matter how far you are from the classroom, you can still learn and thrive using Zoom with students to connect outside of the classroom. Setting up Zoom takes a few minutes, and you will be able to access your class sessions after you follow these quick steps.
Ten Tips I use when I use video chat to zoom with students:
- Always use the waiting room feature when you zoom with students!!! To only allow students to enter who you know. I also only let them use their names!
- Set up reoccurring meetings with the same URL to make it easier when you zoom with students
- Use a password for extra security if you want it
- Play with zoom first with a friend. Make sure you know how to chat, kick a kid out, instantly mute, stop the video, and end a meeting fast if you need to.
- In settings, you can turn on “make the appearance look better” no joke makes you look better! (see picture below)
- Only do what you are comfortable with when zooming with students….. if you are comfortable to live-chat do it, but don’t feel pressure to do it if you aren’t comfortable!
- Always record your sessions for kids who miss it or documented recording to keep you safe if anything bad was to ever occur.
- Have fun and make the best of this situation when you zoom with students
- Remember you may be the only sense of normalcy our kids have in their day!
- Remind your students to keep washing your hands and stay safe!