Preparing for the Worst and Hoping for the Best
This is a combination of two posts that I published last week on Free Technology for Teachers.
In the last couple of weeks I’ve received a bunch of emails and Tweets from people who are panicking about going back to school and having to simultaneously teach students in their classrooms while also live-streaming and or recording their lessons for students who are staying home.
I think it is completely unrealistic to expect teachers to be able do this. It’s hard enough to keep a group of kids engaged in a physical classroom. It’s even harder to keep a group kids engaged in an online classroom (especially if those kids don’t want to be there). All that said, there’s a good chance that I might end up having to do that this fall (my school has not made any official decisions). Here’s what I’m doing to prepare for that potential situation. Hopefully, this helps some of you too.
Zoom
Until Google actually rolls-out all of the new Google Meet features they teased in June, I’m anticipating starting the year using Zoom for virtual classes. In the set-up for my Zoom meetings I’ll enable the option to mute all participants on entry, use meeting passwords, and enable the waiting room option. My district doesn’t want us recording live meetings. If your school district allows it, I’d do it. If you need some guidance on using Zoom, I do have this short tutorial for you.
Dual Monitors/ Dual Computers
I’m fortunate to have access to high quality laptops and desktops in my classroom. My plan is to use one for monitoring the live broadcast and one for instruction. An alternative is to use two monitors connected to one computer. If you’re a Windows user, follow these directions for setting up a dual monitor display. If you’re a Mac user, follow these directions for setting up a dual monitor display. Hopefully, your school is willing to at least invest in a second monitor for you. One that’s adequate for the purpose can be had for under $75.
Microphone
For many years I’ve used Blue Snowball microphones when recording videos and hosting webinars. Being tethered to my computer won’t work when I need to be able to move around my classroom and broadcast my audio for those participating remotely to hear.
I’ve invested in a wireless microphone and receiver set-up that I can plug into my laptop. I just tested it this morning and it worked for recording while up to about 50 feet away from my computer. That should be adequate for my classroom. I am a little worried about potential for interference if a bunch of teachers are using the same set-up in their classrooms. My bigger worry is forgetting to mute the microphone when I don’t need to broadcast (those of you who are my age or older may be haunted by this infamous Leslie Nielsen scene).
Hoping for the Best!
Five Things I’m Looking Forward To!
Reconnecting with students.
I’m fortunate to have a program in which students can stay with me for three years if they want to. Most of my students from last year are coming back. A couple of them have been emailing me throughout the summer to tell me about what they’re tinkering with and or to ask questions and make suggestions for activities to do in the fall.
Raspberry Pi 4
One of those kids that has been emailing me all summer got an 8GB Raspberry Pi 4 this summer. He’s off and running with it. I’m going to have spend some time in August trying to catch up to him before school starts. And if I don’t catch up to him, that’s okay because I’ll readily admit that I have lots to learn and he can teach me.
Phidgets
Phidgets are inexpensive sensors and micro-controllers that can be programmed in Java, Python, C#, or Swift. Setting them up is easy. Once set-up kids can tinker with the code to do all kinds of interesting things. You can get a free Phidgets starter kit by filling out a short request form on their education page. (Disclosure: Phidgets is currently an advertiser on FreeTech4Teachers.com )
Rebuilding a network
Due to the abrupt end to in-person classes and some miscommunication between the maintenance staff, myself, and administration the wireless and wired networks that were built in my classroom were unceremoniously dismantled before a proper schematic was made. So I’m looking at this as an opportunity to rebuild it better than before.
Seeing my colleagues
Even if we’re masked and six+ apart from each other it will still be nice to see them face-to-face again. Other than my immediate family and a few socially distant conversations with neighbors, I haven’t had any in-person social interactions since March 13th and I think it’s making me a bit nutty.
Bottom Line
As the new school year get closer I’m more nervous about the first day of school than I was on my first day of teaching nearly two decades ago (gosh, where did the time go?). I hope that we all can adjust to our new normal as seamlessly as possible.