As Covid continues to disrupt schools through staff shortages, we share a number of ways and tools a teacher can deliver highly effective content whilst working from home
Live streaming will help teachers to continue to teach their class (at school) whilst they are working from home. The guide will reference Microsoft Teams as the main platform in a Primary setting. There are a number of ways and tools a teacher can deliver highly effective content and have discussions with your class if you have the correct set up and techniques. For more training click here.
For the best experience try to use a standalone PC or a laptop and download the Teams application onto the classroom device. Also, the bigger the screen the easier it will be to deliver content and access materials. If you are able to access a second screen this can provide further options and allow you have multiple documents open. You can then have notes open for live presentations or resources on que.
Teacher webcam or visualiser. The teacher can use several cameras at home to allow the pupils to view a variety of teaching techniques i.e., close-up, modelled handwriting on paper, art techniques etc.
The most effective device will be one that a teacher is able to ink on to directly digitally. This will require a touch screen device and stylus.
Interactive whiteboards, TVs or projectors are suitable. Make sure the cover adults have checked the viewpoint of children and move them accordingly.
Quality sound and speaker volume are essential. It is important that the speakers work effectively and are connected to the device.
Think about positioning the webcam or the visualiser in the classroom for the teacher to be able to see as much of the classroom as possible. A bendy neck visualiser or a webcam on a gorilla pod are good options. A good quality webcam is the best option so that the teacher has a clear, sharp image of the classroom.
A 360-degree webcam can capture serval views points and picks up a wider range of voices. This could be placed in the centre of the classroom.
More than one webcam in the classroom will help the teacher at home to support different pupils in the classroom setting. The teacher can scan the room from various angles and spot pupils who might need support or extra challenge.
Having several devices (tablet or laptops) out on tables will allow children to joining group work and feedback sessions.
Microsoft Teams will run on a standalone PC, laptop, or tablet. Ensure the app has been downloaded. This will give you the best functionality. Teams will run on the web browser, but Teams will have limited options in this mode. Teams provides a whiteboard for collective feedback or shared working. Kahoot and other platforms can still be used if there are several devices available for children to engage with.
Set up the Teams calendar meetings for the lessons and invite the Cover Supervisor so that they can login and set up Teams in the classroom before the start of the day/lesson.
Decide how to teach the lesson – will you use Power-point, the improved Whiteboard app, or the share content from the camera mode. Keep it simple if you are new to Microsoft Teams.
Teams meetings have recently been updated. Share guidance on how to use breakout rooms, the whiteboard, the chat bar, polls, quizzes, and reactions especially if the pupils are using 1 to 1 devices within the live streamed lesson to share their learning with the teacher who is working at home.
Before the live streaming starts make sure the teacher and the Cover Supervisor discuss the structure of the lesson/day so that it runs smoothly. Planning, preparation, and lesson design are crucial for these lessons to be successful.
Ask the class TA/LSA to monitor behaviour and support with Q&A sessions and discussions
Make sure the computer in the classroom has Teams installed and the Cover Supervisor knows how to operate and navigate Teams. Ensure the features you are trying to use match the licences that your children have on their devices if they are using devices.
Test the devices and the equipment at the beginning each day to ensure the lessons are not disrupted. If using multiple devices in the classroom consider the practical logistics of who will set them up, login time and charge length/capacity.
Set out clear rules. How do you want the pupils to contribute/discuss questions/recall to learning input?
Teach using a flipchart or power-point (Voice over slides). Use presenter mode for Power-point or share your desktop if you are using a flipchart.
Occasionally teach using a large sheet of paper and pen (model normal classroom practice).
During independent learning sessions try to focus on a group of children, ask the pupils to move closer to the webcam or move the webcam closer to the group of learners. You will need the adult to set up the classroom to allow this to happen
Be present, ask questions whilst the pupils are working.
Encourage the children to put their hand up and to ask questions whilst they are working or access the chat bar or use the supervising adult to type questions.
During the independent learning task, ask the class to work quietly so that it is possible for children to ask questions. Too much background noise could prevent these opportunities.
Model misconceptions on the screen to answer questions or use a large piece of paper.
If the teacher has a visualiser at home, ask them to position this so that the children can view the paper clearly. Change the camera in the settings in Teams.
Stay online even if the children are not asking questions and monitor the children. If a child seems to need support, then ask them to come to the front of the room and speak to you whilst everyone else continues to work.
Speak to the children before the lesson starts and reiterate the expectations of these lesson.
Write or draw the rules clearly on the board. Set high expectations.
If children still need support or they need the concept to be explained again. Speak to the teacher. Decide who you need to support and who the teacher needs to work with. Stop the lesson and explain how the groups will work and then let the rest of the class continue.
It is important that the other children work quietly so additional challenges for those children who complete their work are useful or have the answer cards available so that they can self-mark or peer mark.
Monitor the class and speak to the teacher during the lesson regularly. This is important to keep the children focussed and maintain the pace of the lesson.
Initially, ignore mistakes and errors, the live streaming is not going to be perfect the first time, be patient.
Stay online (teacher) even when the pupils are working independently. This will maintain the high level of expectation and behaviour.
Set clear rules for these sessions as they will be slightly different to the classroom rules
The children will need to work quietly so that they can hear you and you can hear them. Monitor the noise levels.
If the class are using 1 to 1 devices within a synchronous lesson remind the pupils to press mute and to mute the volume on the device, this will reduce ‘noise interference’.
Sometimes, the teacher’s camera will freeze or turn black, but the teacher’s voice will still be audible. Let the teacher know as soon as possible. Tell them to leave the meeting and re-join, this usually solves the issue.
If the teacher is sharing a video but the class cannot hear the audio, then remind the teacher to turn the sound button on before sharing their screen in the lesson.
Involve the pupils. If pupils do not wish to ask you a question in front of the class, ask them to use the chat bar and type their question so that you can support them.
Share your screen in a variety of ways – do not use power-point for every lesson – adapt the apps and how you model strategies.
Send parents a letter about live streaming and online learning so that the parents can explain this teaching approach to their children at home and support the school to embed this model..
Don’t forget to record your session, it can be used as value content for future interventions.
Remote teaching and learning in Office 365 Education (microsoft.com)
Getting started with hybrid learning in Office 365 – Microsoft Educator Center
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As part of the EdTech Demonstrator Programme, a series of webinars curated by the Delivery Partner and supported by multiple EdTech Demonstrators has been planned.
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