Video-Conferencing Support for Families & Student Expectations
Preparation
Understand the tool. Before allowing your child to connect using a video conference tool, make sure you know the purpose and intent from the teacher. Be a resource for your child if tech support is needed.
Check the invite. You and/or your child will receive a link on a private educational communication tool. This may include programs such as email, Seesaw, Google Classroom, Student Information System, Learning Management System or others.
Appropriate clothing. If your child has the camera enabled, please be sure they are dressed. This includes any family members that may run through behind your child’s camera.
Check the technology. Check the audio to make sure your speakers are not turned off. You will be able to check the mic when you get to the video conference program.
Choose a quiet area. Try to find a place to set up the device where it is quiet with few distractions so your child can engage in the conference. Try to keep other siblings and pets free from the conference.
Check your lighting. Make sure your child has front lighting so the teacher and classmates can see their face. A window in the background may silhouette your child.
Check camera framing. Make sure that your child’s face and shoulders are centered in the frame of the camera.
Check your background. Make sure whatever is behind you, and visible to the camera, is simple and school appropriate.
During
Be on time. Click on the link when the teacher has scheduled the video conference. Actually, you may want to join a couple minutes early.
Be Ready. The program may ask you to do a few things after you click on the link. It may ask to allow the microphone and camera, click on allow.
If the teacher set up a waiting room, you will get a message that the host will open the meeting shortly. You can check the mic and sound here.
Refrain from things like eating, drinking, chewing gum, moving around, etc., that may be distracting to the other members in the group.
Listen for expectations. Your child will be muted when entering the room. This means that nobody will be talking except the teacher. The teacher will talk about the expectations and functions of the video conference tool. It will be awesome! Please help your child with the expectations and how to use the tools.
Look at the camera. Show your child where the camera is on the device. If they get a chance to talk, encourage them to look into the camera.
Follow directions. It is important that all participants follow the directions of the teacher to avoid distractions. Help your child pay attention because they will only have a short time to engage with the teacher and classmates.
Say good-bye. The teacher will end the video conference. This will close the video conference window. Make sure your child understands the assignment/action (if any) from the video conference.
Preparation
Understand the tool. Before allowing your child to connect using a video conference tool, make sure you know the purpose and intent from the teacher. Be a resource for your child if tech support is needed.
Check the invite. You and/or your child will receive a link on a private educational communication tool. This may include programs such as email, Seesaw, Google Classroom, Student Information System, Learning Management System or others.
Appropriate clothing. If your child has the camera enabled, please be sure they are dressed. This includes any family members that may run through behind your child’s camera.
Check the technology. Check the audio to make sure your speakers are not turned off. You will be able to check the mic when you get to the video conference program.
Choose a quiet area. Try to find a place to set up the device where it is quiet with few distractions so your child can engage in the conference. Try to keep other siblings and pets free from the conference.
Check your lighting. Make sure your child has front lighting so the teacher and classmates can see their face. A window in the background may silhouette your child.
Check camera framing. Make sure that your child’s face and shoulders are centered in the frame of the camera.
Check your background. Make sure whatever is behind you, and visible to the camera, is simple and school appropriate.
During
Be on time. Click on the link when the teacher has scheduled the video conference. Actually, you may want to join a couple minutes early.
Be Ready. The program may ask you to do a few things after you click on the link. It may ask to allow the microphone and camera, click on allow.
If the teacher set up a waiting room, you will get a message that the host will open the meeting shortly. You can check the mic and sound here.
Refrain from things like eating, drinking, chewing gum, moving around, etc., that may be distracting to the other members in the group.
Listen for expectations. Your child will be muted when entering the room. This means that nobody will be talking except the teacher. The teacher will talk about the expectations and functions of the video conference tool. It will be awesome! Please help your child with the expectations and how to use the tools.
Look at the camera. Show your child where the camera is on the device. If they get a chance to talk, encourage them to look into the camera.
Follow directions. It is important that all participants follow the directions of the teacher to avoid distractions. Help your child pay attention because they will only have a short time to engage with the teacher and classmates.
Say good-bye. The teacher will end the video conference. This will close the video conference window. Make sure your child understands the assignment/action (if any) from the video conference.