Engaging Zoom!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to join a Zoom Meeting on Teachers’ Day with a few of my colleagues. I must admit I was elated to see them as we made jokes and discussed our challenges and breakthroughs since online teaching took the forefront of our professional lives. It was during that moment I realized that a few of them and possible other teachers out there were still at the starting line trying to decipher how best to commence the online teaching journey using the Zoom app. So I decided to share my own experiences with the app by providing valuable tips on how to maneuver and engage their students on a daily basis. 
The Zoom app is a web conferencing software that has become a highly popular trend where online teaching, staff meetings and other conference meetings are concerned since the rise of COVID19. If you are still weighing your options whether this app is best for you, I must implore you that it’s indeed worth a try once you educate yourselves on how the app works before you actually introduce your students and their parents to it. Mastering the tools and features available on Zoom will enable you to stimulate students’ interaction, command students’ attention and engage them throughout the entire lesson.
Teaching on Zoom is an excellent alternative to the physical classroom even if you are new to it. While it is not the same as a face to face classroom interactions, the app actually has features like a technology based classroom. Using these tips will see a smooth transition into online teaching and learning for you and your students alike. 
🔆Interactive Whiteboard and Screen Sharing- Yes, the Zoom app provides these features where you and your students can share documents, pictures, notes, videos from the desktop or online so that everyone can view it at the same time. The writing and drawing features allows for the solving of math problems, highlighting main points  and note taking similar to using the whiteboard in your classroom. Even though as the teacher you are the meeting host, you have the power to activate screen sharing for your students to share their work with the class. This supports student centered learning virtually, as students are provided with the opportunity to become actively involved in the learning process. 
🔆Chat box- This feature is very effective especially when students are muted during a lesson to reduce background distractions. It’s important to note though, that rules for using the Chat must be established prior to officially using the app for your lessons. It is always suggested that a test run be done with students and parents so that they can transition smoothly when the real classes begin. Using the chat box allows for students and yourself to pose and answer questions during a class discussion. Students can chat privately to you or as whole group using this feature. 
🔆Raise Hands- This one is familiar to your students as they would have being practicing this gesture in their classrooms. Zoom provides this feature too so make use of it. Muting your students enables the effective use of this feature when they need to take turns talking back to you especially for large groups. The app has a built-in virtual hand raise to assist your students with communicating their responses during class. Ensure that students understand how and when to raise their hands in order to participate during class. So, while delivering your lessons keep a keen eye out for these raised hand gestures so that you can orderly address each child like you would in a regular classroom setting. Simply amazing isn’t it?
🔆Hit the Record Feature- With the demand of the online platform and internet connections it is imperative to acknowledge the glitches where these are concerned. Yes we face them daily; from poor internet connections, no data plans to WIFI down. You name it, it’s happening to us and our students are facing these challenges too. Luckily, when these setbacks occur Zoom offers a record feature for those students who couldn’t log on for classes today. I told you Zoom is simply the best! The record feature allows you to record your classes in session but even better it allows you to create a meeting for yourself so you record yourself demonstrating  an experiment, reading aloud, dramatizing or doing a follow up lesson. Once you hit the record button(please remember to do so!) you will soon become pros in the business of online teaching. These recordings, once the meeting ends will be converted to an MP4 file on your desktop so you can upload them to your students for use at their own leisure. 
🔆Classroom Setting and Space- Classroom? What classroom? I’m in the comfort of my own home! Yes I thought so too. But being a professional doesn’t change despite of this. Yes, it’s a virtual classroom but your setting and space is of vital importance. Are you the one who is scuffling around your computer to find the notes you jotted down before class? or Are you the organized one who has placed everything you will need for class within arms reach? If you are the latter then you are on the right track. Whether your using your desktop, tablet, IPad or phone ensure all the documents you’ll be sharing on your screen are up and ready. Always close out anything that you don’t want your students to see. Check your video and audio so your students can see and hear you, then you’re ready to go. Your space too is very important. In a recent blog I spoke about getting dressed for Zoom from the comfort of your home. Your space is no different. Your students don’t need to see or hear distractions popping up behind you so ensure that you find a quiet space in your homes free or limited to traffic and noise. But, I have kids lurking around, how do I find a quiet space? Well, your timing comes in handy at this point. Before you schedule your own classes, always check your children’s schedule so that everyone is occupied at the same time. Whether they are doing seated work in another room or logged on to their own online classes, you have to find a routine that works best for you. I figured it out, so can you. 👌
🔆Take your First Step-So you find yourself weighing the pros and cons because you know you are just not the video conferencing type. But, look around everything around you has changed rapidly and living virtually is the new norm. At this point, I have two words for you: Simply Start! There are a myriad of features to explore on Zoom so just take your time. Online teaching is new to most of us but with Zoom you have the opportunity to make learning fun and meaningful for your students. Practice using the app on your own and see what works best for you then you can launch out with it. I guarantee you will be glad that you did. Expect and accept technical difficulties. They will occur but don’t get flustered when they do. Students will have difficulties logging on, some may not be able to see or hear you at first based on connectivity, computers will freeze or die. However, you were never the one to throw in the towel when the students sitting in front you couldn’t understand that math problem or write that report. You analyzed and strategized for them then, you can do the same now. 

I am not a pro at online teaching and the Zoom app but I am figuring it out as I transition into this platform. So sharing what I know will motivate others to take that bold step towards endless opportunities to make a difference. As we advance through the phases I will definitely update you all on more tips. Happy Zooming.