Enhancing Virtual Learning Experience with Alternative Tools and Platforms
Exploring alternatives to traditional break-out rooms for engaging students in active learning, this content discusses limitations of existing platforms like Google Meet and Zoom, and introduces small group options such as BigBlueButton, Google Docs with Slack, and Pear Deck for interactive presentations. Faculty are encouraged to experiment with these tools and share their experiences in a roundtable discussion on October 30th.
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Alternatives to Break Out Rooms
Limitations of GTM No option for break-out rooms No (easy) way to view videos as a group with audio No built-in polling or other interactive features The goal of instructors is to engage students in active learning, which should include all of these things
Zoom can be used for short lessons (less than 40 min.) Requires flipping back-and-forth between GTM and Zoom during class: students will have to receive their Zoom link, log in, do the activity, then log back into GTM It will likely not be free post-COVID
Small Group Options Google Meet Breakout Rooms is a traditional videoconference platform that allows video/audio breakouts Join groups Broadcast to all rooms simultaneously Requires an extension download https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIUhCqlof1g
Small Group Options BigBlueButton: whiteboard, polls, screensharing, chat, breakout rooms (audio only) Breakout room tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR3v-i7R5t0
Small Group Options Google Docs + Slack Can also be used to have a quick group discussion, then return to classroom https://slack.com/resources/slack-101/video- conferencing-slack-features Share screen, no invitation links, no required phone number sharing
Presentations that Encourage Active Learning Pear Deck is a great way to incorporate polls, text responses, and quizzes into Google Slides Watch this demonstration of all the interactive features: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PJgsa-fnmA
What Has Worked For You? Tool 1: Google Docs Tool 2: Videos as a large group Tool 3: If you would like to try some of these tools and report back, we will have a faculty roundtable discussion on Oct. 30 when you can share your experiences and get other suggestions and tools from other faculty (October 30 2:00-3:00)