Distance Classroom

Help and Questions

Best Practices - Instructors

RxIT's main goal as you get started in the classrooms is to resolve any technical issues before they impact you in a live class.

Before you teach in a classroom space that is new to you and/or teach to a distance classroom, please consider the following:

  • See the “troubleshooting list” located on the podium for ways to resolve common issues. The list also includes the following contact information for your support team (see "Help" above).
  • Contact RxIT at rxit@ku.edu for one-on-one technology training including:
    • General walk-through of available technology
    • ITV control panel
    • Document cam
    • Sympodium
    • Microphones (e.g., wireless, clip-on lapel, podium)
    • We are happy to assist and want to make sure your experience in the classroom is a positive as it can be for you and your students.
  • If the clip-on lapel, handheld or headset microphone does not work, check batteries.
  • “Swap” between camera views to facilitate remote site classroom interaction by selecting one of the three options (round grey buttons w/camera graphic) on the videoconferencing screen on the touch panel:
    • Left
    • Right
    • Teacher
  • Use the computer mouse as a pointer. Laser pointers cannot be seen by students participating remotely.
  • Do not use the white board. The camera cannot “see” the white board, nor can the the students participating remotely.
  • Know in advance which remote-site classroom you are connecting to.
  • Have a backup plan for connecting with the far site classroom. Having a plan in place will come in handy at some point during the semester.
    • Contact RxIT at rxit@ku.edu to learn about backup options.

Best Practices - Students

The distance classroom experience is a two-way process. Creating a positive environment where students can interact with the instructor and ask questions is the responsibility of both the instructor and the students.

The following are some helpful considerations for students on both sides of the distance classroom regarding etiquette, participation and questions.

All Students

  • Quiet cell phones upon entering the classroom.
  • Ceiling Microphones:
    • In classrooms or meeting rooms equipped with ceiling microphones, realize that the microphones are always on during the full class period.
    • Please minimize residual background noise that can transmit a “tsunami of sound” to the other classroom.
  • Using Desktop Microphones:
    • In classrooms or meeting rooms equipped with desktop microphones, always “key and hold” the microphone button when asking or answering a question, otherwise students in the other classroom will not hear you.
    • When a desktop microphone is “keyed” this will cause the room camera to pan to a pre-established zone so the student asking the question can be seen by the distance classroom.
    • To avoid accidental activation, ensure that textbooks, notebooks, etc. are clear of desktop microphones.
    • Do not tap on mics or scuffle objects near mics.
    • Do not insert pens, pencils or other instruments into the holes on the surface of the desktop microphones.
    • Speak up and project your voice in the direction of the desktop microphone using a conversational volume.
      • You may not be heard if you speak too softly.
      • It is never necessary to yell into a mic at any distance.
  • Students are strongly encouraged to ask questions during each and every class period. However, if at all possible, try not to interrupt the instructor while lecturing to ask a question.
    • Instructors should incorporate periodic pauses for “Q&A time” during their class sessions in order to solicit questions from both the local and distance classroom.
    • If broken up into groups for group discussions or activities, designate a spokesperson to speak for the group.

Instructor Classroom Students

  • When making upcoming event or student organization announcements to the class, do so from behind the podium and use either the podium microphone, hand-held mic or the wireless lapel mic, otherwise students at the distance classroom will not see or hear you.

Distance Classroom Students

  • Students in the distance classroom should always sit toward the front of the classroom. This allows instructors at the site of origin to visualize the distance classroom students better on the overhead monitor.
  • Instructors often will call upon a student located at the distance classroom by name. If called upon, it is important to respond and participate for the benefits of the instructor and your fellow students.
  • If the instructor solicits questions from students at the distance classroom and no student in the classroom has a question, one individual should always respond verbally by saying “no questions.”
    • Designate a class spokesperson to perform this function if necessary.