Hello and welcome to the session :-)

A good quote from John Dewey, the American Philosopher and Psychologist, which arguably relates to teaching more broadly and is not specific to delivering in a live virtual classroom.

However, what we are going to explore in this session is how teaching in a live virtual classroom context is different to teaching in a face to face context.

Many aspects of good teaching practice still apply, but equally there are many nuances to be aware of too.

Have delegates introduce themselves by posting in Chat their job title and where they are from.

If there are a small number of people in the session you could open the mics/webcams up instead.

What is your previous experience of live online learning?

Using the drawing tools, add your name to the relevant segment of the pie chart.

Online learning doesn’t always have a great reputation.

"A good teacher, like a good entertainer, first must hold his audience's attention, then he can teach his lesson."
Dr John Henrik Clarke (Writer & historian)

Using Chat, why do you think this is the case?

Webinar:

Potentially large numbers of people (50+)
Little to no interaction
Tend to be lecture-based and informative

Live Online Class:

Fewer attendees
Regular interaction using a range of tools
Facilitated, learner-focussed events

What are the boundaries for an online session?

I don't necessarily mean "setting boundaries" in a prescriptive sense, but more of setting the scene and managing the expectations of the learners so that they are aware that it will be an inclusive session in which they will actively take part.

Using Chat have attendees share what learners need to be informed of from the outset.

Key ground rules to discuss:-

Provide open and constructive feedback
Communicate any problems or issues (via Chat)
If you need to step away let me know (via the “Step Away” emoticon)
Mics off when not speaking/presenting

Let's explore the range of communication channels available to you in an online session.

Communicating Online: Chat

Chat creates a useful backchannel for learners to share their own experiences and network with other learners on the course.

Using Chat now - reflect on how you might use the Chat feature and put a suggestion into the Chat pane.

Adds a more informal social dimension to the session.

Some examples:

Use chat early on in the session to allow learners the opportunity to orientate and practise with the tools (ideal as an ice breaker)

Use Chat for learner questions (maybe have a colleague monitor chat to help facilitate this if you have large numbers)

Use the 'reveal effect' by asking learners direct questions

Creates a written record too (some software allows you to export the Chat to a text file to share with others)

Easy way to share hyperlinks with learners.

Ice breakers:

Ice breakers can be a good opportunity for learners to start experimenting with the communication tools.

Try and make the ice breaker relevant to the content of the session.

Time is often a factor on whether or not to include an ice breaker - it's at your discretion.

Has anyone used ice breakers? Post into chat.

Useful icebreaker sites:
http://www.reproline.jhu.edu/english/5tools/5icebreak/icebreak2.htm

http://webconferenceguru.com/2011/07/27/ten-ideas-for-exercise-for-the-virt...

http://insight.typepad.co.uk/40_icebreakers_for_small_groups.pdf

http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/2012/05/06/creating-two-powerpoint-games/

http://joitskehulsebosch.blogspot.com/2009/03/10-online-icebreakers.html

Emoticons

Emoticons are a bit like marmite - you either love them or hate them!

Give me a smiley face if you love using emoticons and a sad face if you don't!

Inclusive and adds variety to the modes of communication available.

A useful alternative to Chat for learners with dyslexia (or who may not be very good at typing!)

Can be fun! “People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.”
Dale Carnegie (American writer and speaker)

List of emoticons to paste into Chat:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_emoticons

Has anyone used emoticons in an online session? If so, what for? Put into chat.

Drawing Tools

Can incorporate certain gaming elements into sessions, such as word searches on key topics that learners can do whilst waiting for others to join the session.

Can be fun to use appropriately. Allows learners to be creative.

Ensure the drawing tools have been fully explained and that the right permissions have been granted to the learners when deploying these in a session.

When planning the online session think about how you can devise some template slides that will comliment the use of drawing tools.

i.e. Can create ‘swim lanes’ to canvass the opinions of learners. Post it notes, etc

i.e. Can create ‘swim lanes’ to canvass the opinions of learners, post it notes, etc

Keep learners involved and engaged

Create facility to allow learners to make mistakes

Help learners practise and apply their new skills

What is the optimal class size?

Use Chat do a reveal.

Dr John Medina, author of brain rules.

To maximise collaboration and interaction 6-8 people is best.

What is wrong with this slide?

Use the drawing tools to circle bad elements of this slide.

Cognitive overload

Slides crammed with text

-Proofread
-Get a second opinion
-Be consistent in font use
-The text is overlapping the image
-Don't have too much text
-Pixellated images - avoid clip art and stretching images to fit. Resolution refers to the density of pixels or dots in a digital image. If you’ve heard that an image is 300dpi, then that is the image’s resolution.
DPI stands for dots per inch. It is generally the same
thing as PPI, or pixels per inch. A dot, or pixel, is a
single dot of color in an image.

Where to get free to use images (creative commons)
https://unsplash.com/
https://search.creativecommons.org/
https://pixabay.com/
https://www.flickr.com/creativecommons/by-2.0/

Fonts:
https://bdanewtechnologies.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/typefaces6.pdf
"Some dyslexic people have expressed strong feelings about typefaces, but there is no agreement apart from saying it should be sans serif." e.g. Verdana amongst others.

Enthusiasm

“If you want to be enthusiastic, act enthusiastic.”

Dale Carnegie (American stage magician).