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Preparing Students for a Productive LifeBest Practices Before, During, andAfter Your Live Session forDelivering Creative VirtualClassroom Solutions

Framingham State University

Founded 1839 - Located 20 Miles West of Boston

6506 students (4489 undergrads – 2017 grad students)

25 Undergraduate Programs

26 Graduate Programs

Blackboard Customer since 2000

Blackboard Collaborate (previously Elluminate) since 2009

Online Learning since 1998

• Synchronous content delivery

• Real-time discussions

• Guest speakers

• Office hours

• Lecture capture

• Tutoring, Mentoring

• Group collaboration

• Recorded student presentations

• Faculty training

Using the Virtual Classroom

Blackboard Collaborate is used to deliver distance learning in online and hybrid courses.

"Through the use of Blackboard Collaborate, I am able to continue to have direct, personal connections with my students on an individual basis through "virtual office hours" as well as on a class-wide basis for class meetings and lectures. I am able to communicate more naturally, giving my lessons the same feel as in-class lessons. It is as if I am physically present with the students.”

- Margaret Whitbeck, Instructor for Food and Nutrition, Framingham State University

Deliver Distance Learning

Framingham State faculty use Blackboard Collaborate to deliver course content and also ask students to present their course projects.

“In my Geography of the U.S. and Canada online course, I use Blackboard Collaborate to have virtual online lectures with the students. Throughout a typical 50-minute Blackboard Collaborate session, I display graphics (such as maps and tables) and include annotation in the graphics as well as share my desktop to display webpages. At the conclusion of the course, I also require students to research a topic related to one of the regions we have discussed and then present their findings in their own recorded Blackboard Collaborate session.”

- David Merwin, Associate Professor Geography, Framingham State University

Project Delivery

Blackboard Collaborate is used to bring guest speakers and experts from around the world into online or face-to-face classes.

"Inviting guest speakers to the classroom using web conferencing with BB Collaborate gave students an opportunity to listen and interact with a talented young designer employed by a multinational athletic footwear conglomerate (headquartered on the west coast of the United States). Students gained valuable insight and a deeper understanding of important class concepts and described the experience as…interesting, inspiring, enlightening, exciting, informative, worthwhile, creative, excellent, and innovating!”

- Virginia Noon, Assistant Professor Fashion Design and Retailing, Framingham State University

Virtual Guest Speaker

Eight Best Practices Before Your Session

1. Provide instructions on how to use

2. Offer practice space for participants

3. Identify mandatory sessions on syllabus

5. Explain how each sessions will be used in courseCheck equipment

6. Rehearse session

7. Have all materials open and ready

8. Set up grading (for a record of participants)

Before During After

Ten Best Practices During Your Live Session

1. Join session 15-30 minutes in advance

2. Pre-load session materials

3. Set up breakout rooms

4. Specify session start/end times

5. Provide set-up steps for participants

6. Set timer to count down

7. Display welcome screen

8. Turn off microphone when not speaking

9. Use whiteboard space for written questions, assignment instructions, brainstorming and collaboration

10. Use application or desktop sharing so participants can see what you see

Before During After

Six Best Practices After Your Session

1. Archive recordings by content area

2. Offer mobile access with MP3 and MP4recording formats

3. Provide instructions for recording access and viewing

4. Save chat and participants list

5. Preview recording

6. Track statistics (sessions, attendees, recording views) and results (rate of adoption, student retention and outcomes

Before During After

Framingham State UniversityITS- Education Technology Office

Email eto@framingham.edu

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