Online Classroom for Students: A Brief Guide

If you would like to learn more about using our online classroom and see a demonstration, we are running a daily online seminar showing you how it works and answering any questions you may have. You can join it at 3pm on Tuesdays using the following link:

URL: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/74618503221?pwd=dEVlQ3owaUw3TDFVL0Z5ZzQ1OElqQT09
Meeting ID: 746 1850 3221
Password: onlinesem1

The seminar takes place on Zoom - you can see how to join a Zoom seminar in this FAQ!

  PLEASE BE AWARE THAT NO SEMINARS TAKE PLACE ON BANK HOLIDAYS OR WEEKENDS

Browser Tests

It is really important to go through the demo version of the online classroom and do a browser test before each lesson you have, as this will ensure your camera and microphone are allowed in your browser, and that your internet connection is fast enough to host the classroom. You can also get an idea of what the classroom will look like during your lesson on the day, and you can experiment with the features that are available for you!

You can access both the browser test and the demo classroom by going into your next upcoming online lesson, clicking to view the lesson details, and clicking ‘Join Lesson’ as shown in the image above - the following pop-up will give you access.

Once completed, you'll then be able to make sure that your camera, microphone and speakers are working - just check the boxes once they are working!

Entering the classroom

Once you have entered the classroom, you will see a page looking something like this - if your camera and microphone do not appear to be working, please ensure that your browser settings are set to allow for both, and refresh the page.

Found at the top bar of the classroom, there are two buttons you can use, one will raise your hand to attract the attention of your tutor if they have your microphone muted, for example, if they were explaining a concept. The second will put the classroom in full-screen mode.

This is also a bar on the right-hand side of the classroom - this is where you can either share documents or your screen with your tutor! If you click on the top icon, the one that shows two pieces of paper with a plus sign on one of them, you can then either upload a file to the classroom or start screen sharing! The cog will allow you to change settings within the classroom, such as which microphone you’re using.

Documents

In the Online Classroom, you can share documents making it really easy to hand in homework and give feedback. To share a document, you first need to upload it to the Online Classroom, and you can do so by clicking the first button in the toolbar on the right-hand side - you'll then see a blue upload button in the top right-hand corner! If you click on this, you'll then just need to select the type of file it is you're looking to upload, choose it from your computer, and then name it so you can easily find it in the future!

Screenshare

If you don’t want to upload documents into the classroom, you have the option of sharing your screen with your student. To do this, you just need to click on the first button on the toolbar on the right-hand side, and you'll see the option to share your screen - just click on this, and then the 'play' circle, and you'll then have the option to either share your whole screen, a particular application you have open or a tab on your browser!

The Whiteboard

The online whiteboard is a fantastic interactive tool which you can use to enhance your lessons. You'll have this open automatically when you enter the classroom, and you can use a variety of features to draw or add images with your tutor.

Troubleshooting

If you have any problems with the performance of the online classroom, please visit this link to try and identify the cause: https://lesson.tutorful.co.uk/en/troubleshooter