Best Practices in the ITV Classroom

Another term for “best practices” may be “lessons learned.” Here are some of those lessons learned, offered by faculty who have taught in ITV classrooms:

Include All Students

Greet remote (off-site) students. Look into the camera (usually at the back of the room) and say “hello”, or ask who is at the site.

Speak Directly to Remote Students During Class

Some instructors say it helps to think of the off-site students as students sitting in the back row. Whatever your technique, involving all the students, remote and in-person, helps morale, and sets the stage for a positive classroom atmosphere.

Remind students to identify themselves when addressing you or their classmates from an off-site location. This goes for students at both sites.

Student Interaction

Encourage students to speak to each other during discussions, including local and remote students as one learning environment

Check often to be sure remote students are able to hear you and/or the other students.

Repeat Questions Asked by Students

Distant students may not be able to clearly hear questions coming through your room speakers.

Be Sure Remote Students Know How to Contact You

Remember, they can’t “catch you after class” or stop by your office. Encourage them to contact you via telephone or email.

As a Rule Of Thumb, Break Activities Into 8-10 Minute Sections

Refrain from lecturing for a long period while one image is showing on the screen. Students want to see you and their classmates often, in order to feel connected to their class.

Power Point Presentations

Think about the font size, font type, and color in terms of clarity for the students watching the TV monitors.

Put dark type on light backgrounds and vice versa. Avoid bright red for letters or backgrounds.

The ITV Classroom

The ITV classroom is not flexible. Many of the system settings are on an automatic schedule. It is important to begin and end classes at the regularly scheduled times. Failure to adhere to class schedules may create problems for other faculty and students who will be accessing the classroom.

Try the Document Reader

You may find it to be more convenient and easier for students to read than the white board or a traditional overhead projector. As with anything, it takes practice. Many instructors appreciate its versatility and ease of use, once they get used to it.

Diagrams Should Be as Big, Bold, and Simple as Possible

Generally, the less information you put onto the screen, the stronger and more lasting its impact. Remember, the graphics camera picks up print on white paper better than on clear overhead projection film.

Use a size 26 font or larger if you use the computer to display documents, so that the students can see the type clearly on their monitors.

Lower the Blinds

If your classroom screens seem “washed out,” try lowering the classroom blinds. They’re very subtle, allowing light in, but blocking out the glare on the screens.

The Microphone

You know that little curved, plastic device on the instructor’s station that looks like a microphone? It’s not a microphone; it’s a light. Leaning in closer, and speaking into it will not increase the volume. (A little tidbit from Stacey Hilton).

When the Technology Doesn’t Work

Although the ITV classrooms have been designed for automation and simplicity, the ITV system itself is very technical. Occasionally the system does not work as it should. When other technology fails, we know what to do: if the classroom is too hot or cold (heaters and air conditioners are perfect examples of technology we take for granted), we call Facilities, and they send someone to check the system. So too with the ITV system.

Call the Technology Solutions Center (Help Desk)

If you’ve gone through your troubleshooting checklist, but something is not working with the system, please feel confident in calling the ITS Help Desk. Each ITV classroom has a phone (although most of them are inconveniently situated at the back of the room!) Just dial 2168, and an ITS technician will either walk you through the solution over the phone, access your computer remotely and fix the problem, or send someone to your classroom.

Please be patient with the technical staff

They work hard to prevent foreseeable problems, and to resolve classroom issues as quickly as possible.

What to Wear

Avoid large areas of white clothing. Also, Bright colors are hard for the digital cameras to handle. Neutral colors and pastels are easiest on the eye.

Large, glittering jewelry and pins can be very distracting on the big screen.

Avoid anything that will brush against the wireless microphone; you know how annoying microphone noise can be.

Unless you want to be the invisible instructor, be conscious of the area behind the instructor station. If your clothes blend in too much, you’ll fade away on the screen.

Avoid clothing with thin lines and patterns (herringbone, tight plaids), as these patterns will cause an annoying “flicker”.