Converged Learning

Instructor cameras in these spaces capture the front of the classroom. Using buttons on the Digital Classroom System's touchscreen, instructors can choose to frame the podium, the podium and the area around it, the entire front of the room, or the blackboard. In certain rooms, instructors can also choose to have the camera follow them as they move around the front of the room. Instructor cameras are mounted in the same sight-line as instructor-facing monitors. As a result, when instructors look at the monitor to interact with remote students or to view class content, it creates the appearance that they are looking at the remote students.

Student-facing cameras are installed at the front of the room and capture the entire audience. Instructors can choose to use these cameras if they are teaching remotely in order to view their students, or if they are engaged in discussion and want remote students and in-room students to see each other. Because student-facing cameras are mounted within the sight-lines of the front of the room displays, when students in the classroom look at the displays it appears as if they are looking at the remote participants.

Multiple displays can be used to show class content, remote students, and other conferencing tools. Every SLS has at least two monitors or projection screens at the front of the classroom. These can be used to show in-room students class content—such as slides or web pages—as well as components of the videoconference sessions—such as camera feeds of remote students, polls, or chat windows. Instructors may also use the monitor on the rooms' Digital Classroom System and an instructor-facing display mounted in the audience to view class content and videoconference materials without needing to turn to face the front-mounted displays. Audience-mounted monitors are typically in the same sightline as the instructor camera so that when an instructor looks at it to review their slides or interact with a remote student, those attending remotely will have the impression that the instructor is looking at them.

Room microphones capture all in-room speaking. Because these rooms include area microphones designed to capture audio from both the teaching area and the audience, in-room participants do not need to worry about wearing or sharing microphones to be heard by students attending remotely. Instead, both the instructor's voice and the in-room students' voices are automatically fed into the videoconference.

Room speakers provide both in-room and videoconference audio. These speakers can be used to: play sound from class content, like videos; provide amplification of the instructor's voice; and play audio from the videoconference, including the voices or content of participating remote students.

It is natural to want to focus more on students who are sharing a room with you. However, this inclination can quickly lead to teaching in a manner that makes your remote students feel less connected and, as a result, less engaged. Consider using the following approaches to ensure your remote students are given equal opportunity to participate in class.

• Opt for methods of communication available to all students. While how students interact is highly dependent on your class plan and size, look for ways to put those interactions on the same plane. For example, if remote students are asked to raise their hands but in-room students can simply speak to participate in discussions, the in-person students might be more able and more likely to participate. If you have a larger class in which remote students participate via chat, consider having your in-person students also ask questions by chat. The in-person students may also be more inclined to type their questions and will then be on equal footing with their remote peers.
• Have in-class students connect to the remote session. Not only will this allow all students to utilize group chats, see other students, or view class materials up close, it can also serve as a way for in-room and remote students to work collaboratively in breakout rooms. In-room students who connect should just make sure not to activate their audio.
• Ensure that your writing is viewable to all students. Consider annotating digitally or writing on the document camera so that remote students are better able to read your writing. If you use the blackboard, select the blackboard camera setting and check your camera self-view to ensure you write large and on-screen.
• Repeat questions. Make sure all students are able to hear a question from other students by summarizing or repeating it before answering.
• Avoid referring to and treating remote and in-person students differently. Subtle references to remote students as "virtual students" or in-room students as "present" students can snowball into a sense that there are two classes of students. Similarly, directing students to do something that only one group can do (e.g. conferring with your neighbor) will leave out a segment of the class and contribute to the feeling that they are not getting the same experience.

One of the biggest challenges relating to teaching remote students is keeping them engaged in class. While completely online classes can be tailored entirely to remote instruction, converged classes present the added challenge of engaging different students simultaneously. To foster engagement in your synchronous class, consider the following:

• Employ flipped teaching techniques. Students are more likely to disengage during long stretches of lecture, especially when viewing class remotely. Consider flipping portions of your class by delivering class content asynchronously, via video, tutorials, readings, etc. You can then use class time for discussion and group work, in which  all students can more actively participate. You can join and view the resources of the Active Learning Community for help using flipped teaching techniques.
• Articulate how remote students should participate. If remote students do not know how they should answer or ask a question, they will be reluctant to do so. Indicate in your LMS, syllabus, course description, and/or first class whether remote students should physically raise their hand, virtually raise their hand, speak, or use the chat box to participate.
• Draw in students early and often. Ask your remote students to participate on the first day of class. This will set the tone early that they can and should be a part of class discussions. Consider initiating participation with low-stakes questions to help them gain comfort with speaking. 
• Refer to remote students by name. Using names is always a great way to help students feel connected to the class. Referring to a remote student by name is an especially important way to identify who you are talking to or calling on. Videoconference apps will often display participants name alongside their video.

When used effectively, converged learning can be more than a way to connect with remote students; it can also add value in ways that traditional learning cannot.

• Record class for future viewing. If you are teaching a converged class, you can likely record the session with the click of one button. Students can then watch class recordings to review. Visit the recording section of our instructions page for step-by-step guides on using DCS spaces to record.
• Have students give presentations. In videoconference sessions, you can give permission to students to share images from their screen. This provides a way for students to easily give presentations, report out, or share content as part of a discussion.
• Invite guest lecturers to speak in your class. Without the difficulty of travel, experts from around the globe can more easily connect with your students.

As you strive to create an engaging experience for remote students, you don't want to diminish the experience of in-class students. You can do so by helping your in-person students experience what the remote students are able to see.

• Ensure that presentation materials are viewable in the classroom. Rather than trying to squeeze remote students, chat windows, and presentation materials like slides into one screen, in many classrooms you can put them on separate screens to make them larger.
• Display remote students at the front of the room. While you may elect to keep students on the rear monitor so you can see them without distracting in-room students, consider moving them to the front screen when you engage in Q&A, discussion, or whenever remote students are speaking for extended times. This will help your students feel that they are part of the same dialogue.

So that you can focus on teaching, rather than troubleshooting, we recommend the following:

• Provide connection details early. Let your students know what platform you will use, how they can connect, and any technical requirements for your course.
• Hold a test class. Use the first class meeting or a pre-determined time before then to let your students make sure they can properly connect.
• Articulate how you expect students to participate. Do you want students to turn on their cameras and microphone? Do you want students to remain muted until they speak to reduce distracting noise? The answers will depend on your course and enrollment and should be communicated to students at the start.
• Utilize a remote helper. Ask a Teaching Assistant or student volunteer to join your class remotely and let you know if there are any issues with the online experience.