Planning that Web Class Meeting...

As online course offerings become more common place, making visual connections with students becomes increasingly important. Web class meetings or Webinars are one choice for connecting and energizing online learners. Instructors can use the online course meeting site (Adobe Connect, Elluminate are two examples) for one-to-one visits or for virtual class meetings. Once you have time to practice using online platforms-- incorporate these virtual meetings into your course curriculum! I think you will find, that the most important part of this process is collecting student feedback. Let your students tell you what works best and then have them present and be the host!

Here are some tips to share with your online communities.

• First, purchase good equipment. Use a Webcam with excellent video quality and if it also has audio capabilities, then you can even use it with two or three of you (or students) just sitting in your office. The mic on the Webcam will pick up your conversations with the video feed. Now you have a video conference call.
• Be sure you purchase a good headset with an attached mic. This allows you to hear better and blocks out some outside noise.
• As in using any new tool, Webinars require practice, practice, practice. Open up your online Web meeting portal and practice by yourself or with a friend. These sessions help you determine timings and allow you to setup numerous links and screens to energize your presentation. For example, your presentation should showcase different interactions: one-two minutes with a whiteboard, switch to an Internet screen, and then return to a course concept or PowerPoint screen view.
• Educators already know that changing the instructional environment, keeps the attention of your students. Just make sure that you have everything lined up and ready to go in your task bar. Then you can just click and load the screens or applications. The last thing you need is to take several minutes trying to find something you wanted to use or talk about during the presentation. For example, it drives your audience crazy when you are hunting with your curser and clicking on different Internet sites while you are talking. If you must "hunt," leave a site or slide up and showing on the screen while you explore your hard drive.

As in all education presentations, planning class meetings or Webinars ahead helps everyone! Be concise, have clear instructions for your students and be brief. Webinars should be scheduled for an hour or less. You can always log back in together on another day!

Now it's your turn to try it! Give your online students a chance to see and hear you in real time!

Good luck!