9 Preparing for Your First Class

This type of teaching may lead to new routines and practices. Just as you do when you teach in the physical classroom, you likely have a “am I ready to teach today?” checklist you go through each morning:

• Camera on, audio working, and light good? Check.
• Zoom room ready? Check.
• Lesson plan revised for teaching at a distance? Check.
• Business on top, PJs on the bottom? Check.
• How will I know what they’re thinking today? Uhhhh, maybe no check.  But try a class poll. 🙂

Kidding aside,

• Enter and test the Zoom room with support from your instructional designer, UR Live or practice students BEFORE the first class.
• Set up the Zoom room with needed settings (virtual background, waiting room, muted on entry). Remember to try and look the camera “in the eye”. An instructional designer can help you with these settings.
• Tested the camera, microphone and speakers on the device that you will be using.  Others may have used your equipment, since your last time.
• Have prepped your TA to respond to questions during the lecture and the process that will look like.
• If planning on recording LIVE class, received permission from Dean to capture any recording of lecture. There are specific consent & collection procedures.
• Prepared lecture slides and other lecture materials (such as videos) which have been copyright cleared.
• Post outline, or handout prior to class so student can be prepared.
• Provided students with a way to contact you if they have questions.
  • Provide contact information for technical support to students
• Take some risks to see what works for you and your students, and to learn from what doesn’t work.
• If your students will be using the library for assignments, consider inviting a librarian to one of the first classes to give a short orientation to library services including access to e- resources and information about UREAD for distance students.

Page Source: Assessment at a distance: Not so different from assessment in person. OER Project Blog – OER Project Teacher Community – OER Project Community. (n.d.).