Virtual classrooms and virtual office hours are a great way to keep teaching and learning during a disruption.
Instructors have two options for virtual meetings that are integrated into our Brightspace system. One option is the Brightspace Virtual Classroom and the other option is Zoom Web Conferencing. Instructors should choose whichever tool will meet their needs. To help you choose, I've provided an explanation of these two systems.
Brightspace Virtual Classroom
We have the free version of the Brightspace Virtual Classroom tool. Not all features of this tool is available in the free version. Refer to this Brightspace Virtual Classroom features chart to see if this tool will meet your needs.
IMPORTANT CHANGE TO BRIGHTSPACE VIRTUAL CLASSROOM:
New as of April 2020, limits for the maximum number of participants, session duration, and session recording availability are being adjusted. Here is an overview of the new limits, compared to the previous limits.
| New limit in Free version (in effect April 2020) |
Previous limit in Free version | |
| Maximum # of participants | 50 | 100 |
| Session recording availability | 14 days | 4 months |
| Session duration | 60 minutes | 90 minutes |
Refer to this Virtual Classroom Knowledge Base for more information on this web conferencing tool.
Zoom Web Conferencing
Zoom is a web-based video conferencing tool with a local, desktop client and a mobile app that allows users to meet online, with or without video. Zoom users can choose to record sessions, collaborate on projects, and share or annotate on one another's screens, all with one easy-to-use platform. Zoom is integrated into our Brightspace system and is Xavier’s alternative to the Brightspace Virtual Classroom tool.
The Professional Training team at Zoom will be hosting a 45 minute Zoom Meetings for Education Webinar on Monday, March 16th. The webinar starts at 9 am central time. It will focus on the following topics:
- How to download the Zoom applications and join a Zoom meeting
- How to schedule a meeting and send out invitations
- Overview of In-meeting controls and Virtual Classroom tools
You can register for the Zoom Meetings for Education webinar at this link.
Additionally, here’s a list of Zoom resources that you may find helpful:
- How to activate and access your Zoom account
- Where can I find the Zoom link in Brightspace?
- Schedule a Zoom meeting in Brightspace*
- Zoom 101: In Meeting Controls (Basic)
- Zoom Help Center
- Comprehensive Guide to Educating through Zoom
- Tips and Tricks for Educators Using Zoom for Virtual Meetings
- Tips to Secure Your Zoom Meetings
- Tips to deter Zoom-bombers
*NOTE: This document was created by another institution. Steps #1 and #2 are not applicable to our configuration. The information in the remainder of the document is applicable to how Zoom works in our integration.
Want more information?
#KeepTeachingXULA wiki resource
View all the Brightspace training recaps
Brightspace Known Issues
Request a sandbox course
Sign-up for Brightspace training sessions
You can find Brightspace help at D2L's website.
Join the Brightspace Community.
Try these Brightspace How-To documents.
Visit our Brightspace FAQs for additional Brightspace information
or schedule a one-on-one session, email, or
call Janice Florent: (504) 520-7418.
Note: Are you doing something innovative in Brightspace or perhaps you've discovered a handy tip? Share how you are using Brightspace in your teaching and learning in The Orange Room.
Image credit: "wocintech (microsoft) - 76" by #WOCinTech Chat is licensed under CC BY 2.0