by Jennie Ruby, COTP
Whether you use Adobe Connect, WebEx, GoToTraining, or another online training app, you need to know the same basic features of your platform.
First, you need to know everything your students will need to know to get into your classroom and participate in your class. And when I say you need to know, I mean really know. Like, “I can describe it in my sleep” know. Like, “I can describe it blindfolded” know. Because the moment you’ll need to know it most is when a student is having trouble logging in, or finding the chat panel, or finding the arrow tool—and in that moment, you can’t see their screen.
On most of the online platforms, the instructor view is different from the participant view of the screen. This is least true of Adobe Connect, but even there, as the Host, you may have additional functionality your viewers do not have.
So here is a checklist of what you need to know—from your students’ point of view.
Basics
- How to log in
- How to get on the audio
- How to use Chat
- How to raise your hand
Additional communication tools (some of these vary from one platform to another)
- Agree or check mark
- Disagree or x
- Away from desk
- Speed up/slow down
- Emoticons
Other special functions
- Share their screen
- Write on the screen or whiteboard
- Type on the screen or whiteboard
- Function within a break-out room
- Download materials
Once you know these functions—and can explain them to your learners without seeing their screens—you are part of the way there. In future articles we will take a look at what you need to know about the instructor’s view and when and why you might want to work with a producer.
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If you'd like to learn how to effectively teach live, online classes, come join me online as I co-teach the Certified Online Training Professional course at www.iccotp.com. (The course is eligible for 1.2 CEUs.)
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Jennie Ruby, CTT, COTP, is a veteran eLearning developer, trainer, and author. Jennie has an M.A. from George Washington University and is a Certified Technical Trainer and Certified Online Training Professional. She teaches both classroom and online courses, and has authored courseware, published training books, and developed content for countless eLearning projects. She is also a publishing professional with more than 30 years of experience in writing, editing, print publishing, and eLearning.
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