Collaborate - hybrid classes

Collaborate is a live, collaborative space that provides the ability to chat, screen-share, share audio and video, poll students, collaborate using a virtual whiteboard or group participants into small 'breakout' spaces. It is also compatible with a growing number of classrooms.

1. Plan  |  2. Build  |  3. Test  |  4. Administer  |  5. Review  ||  Support 

Collaborate icon

This entry relates to the Collaborate tool.


Good practice guides and tip sheets

Good practice guides and tip sheets have been developed to support quality in both curriculum design and teaching practice. Good practice guides provide a pedagogical overview and tip sheets provide you with practical strategies and ideas for implementation. Links to Collaborate-related resources are provided below. 

Running hybrid classes | Teaching offshore students online | Engaging students in a synchronous session | Using online teaching tools to optimise face-to-face time

Disabled features

To help increase the stability of the system and increase performance, the following features are temporarily disabled by the vendor:

  • Timer (a countdown timer)
  • Chat typing indicator (a visual indicator that someone is typing. Chat is otherwise functional.)
  • The number of videos showing at any one time in some browsers has been reduced from 4 to 2

 


1. Plan

Finding a compatible classroom

Not all classrooms are set up for hybrid teaching. Check your topic’s timetable against the list of compatible classrooms. If your room is not compatible, lodge a Service One request to change your classroom. If you cannot get a compatible room, contact your local eLearning team to borrow a group chat kit.  The kits are ideal for small group sessions, have a 30m wireless range and are best placed in the middle of the room.



2. Build

Create a session so that online students can attend. Notify students how to access the online session.

Keep the design of your lesson in mind: What are you trying to achieve with students during their class? Your college’s Academic Developer and Learning Designer may be able to provide some guidance.

Content preparation

You may need to put resources and activities online that you would normally deliver in class, so both your online and face-to-face students can access them.



3. Test

Provide a time before the first class where students can test their technology setup.

Some students may need to purchase a headset or webcam to be able to fully engage in a hybrid class raising equity issues; to assist Adelaide-based students the library is equipped with spaces where students can access Collaborate using a computer with the necessary equipment.    



4. Administer

The Collaborate - administration guide provides a view of the key features you may use while using Collaborate.

The following resources may help you achieve the most from using Collaborate:

When a class starts, encourage some students in the classroom to log into Collaborate with their cameras on and microphones off, to help the sense of inclusion for remote students. The camera can be directed at a wider room, and does not have to be recording a particular student.

Tips for after a session:   



5. Review


  Training and support

  Troubleshooting

Training

Disabled features

To help increase the stability of the system and increase performance, the following features are temporarily disabled by the vendor:

  • Timer (a countdown timer)
  • Chat typing indicator (a visual indicator that someone is typing. Chat is otherwise functional.)
  • The number of videos showing at any one time in some browsers has been reduced from 4 to 2)

» How-to glossary