This is a recommended list of activities to follow before the live videoconferencing session:
- Choose the technology that best fits your needs and instructional goals.
- Meet with your technical support staff.
- Common questions to ask include:
- How do I access the equipment and the system?
- How do my participants access the equipment and the system?
- How do I receive emergency assistance?
- May I do a practice run with you?
- Common questions to ask include:
- If you are running the video conferencing technology yourself, know how to operate the systems.
- For Zoom, see https://psu.zoom.us for more information.
- See a list of rooms with dedicated videoconferencing equipment at Penn State. Available at https://webapps.tns.its.psu.edu/Video/PublicContent/VideoConferenceRoomsList/All .
- IT Learning and Development offers training on some videoconferencing systems. See http://itld.psu.edu/find-training?f%5B0%5D=field_training_by_service%3A58 .
- World Campus offers training related to videoconferencing. See http://wcfd.psu.edu/.
- Complete a practice run at least 24 hours before the live session.
- Prepare and distribute all relevant materials, including a videoconferencing etiquette summary, to your participants. This may be done via email.
- If you plan to share a recording of the session with others not directly participating in the session or in a course, it is recommended that you obtain signed release forms from all session participants. Penn State Media Commons has recording release forms that you can use. See http://mediacommons.psu.edu/students/release-forms/.
- Ensure your remote participants are prepared to participate, access, and utilize the equipment (e.g., activate their microphones, utilize the chat tool, etc.).
- Have a backup plan in case the technology fails.
- Arrive 15-20 minutes before the session to test the equipment.