Learn what you need to know to teach in a classroom on campus. Below is a step-by-step guide on the basics of setting up a classroom.
Disinfect Your Workstation
When you first walk into the classroom, take a moment to properly disinfect the electronic devices you'll be using, including microphones, touch screens, keyboards, and mice.
1. Spray a paper towel with the Electronic Disinfectant Cleaner.
2. Gently wipe down the equipment with the paper towel.
Prepare Your Equipment
Once disinfected, setup your workstation, including any devices you plan on using.
Classroom Computers: Wake up the classroom computer by pressing any key on the keyboard then login with your A# and password. Classroom computers have a variety of commonly used applications and additional software can be requested.
Laptops: Prepare your laptop (remember to plug it in to power if needed) and connect it to the classroom system using the provided HDMI cable or, if available, wirelessly through AirMedia.
Document Cameras: Most rooms include a USB document camera connected directly into the classroom computer. Ensure it is powered on then open the document camera application on the desktop of the classroom computer. A few rooms have ceiling document cameras which are controlled through the classroom touch panel. Learn more about document cameras.
Turn on Displays
If you'll be sharing content from a computer or document camera, turn on the display(s) in the room.
1. Press the power button on the classroom touch panel and lower the projector screen if needed.
2. On the classroom touch panel, select the content you'd like to share.
Setup the Web Broadcast
If you are teaching a Hybrid Face-to-Face class, setup the web broadcast on the classroom computer.*
- Start your Zoom meeting
- Start your meeting from the Zoom integration in Canvas or from zoom.usu.edu.
- Adjust the classroom camera
- Start your video in Zoom if it's not already started (in the lower left corner of Zoom). If you don't see the classroom camera displayed in the selfview on Zoom, select the up arrow (^) next to the Start/Stop Video button and ensure the Av.io source is selected as the source.
- Open the camera controls on the classroom touch panel by pressing the button with a camera icon on the top or far right of the touch panel.
- While watching the selfview in Zoom, use the camera controls to move and zoom in/out the camera to the desired position.
- Test audio
- Remove the microphone from it's charging base and turn it on.
- Clip the microphone 6-8 inches directly below your mouth.
- In Zoom, press the up arrow (^) next to the Mute/Unmute button and select Test Speaker & Microphone.
- Go through the test to ensure both speakers and microphone are working.
- If either the speakers or microphone are not working, ensure the classroom computer is selected on the touch panel, the room and computer volume is turned up, and the microphone is turned on.
- Share content
- If needed, remember to share the computer screen by pressing the green "Share Screen" button along the bottom of Zoom.
*If running the web broadcast on a laptop, note that the classroom camera and microphone(s) will not be available for you to use.
Setup the Recording
If using a web broadcast application, record class through Zoom; otherwise, use Kaltura.
- Open Kaltura Classroom
- Double click the Kaltura Classroom desktop shortcut on the classroom computer.
- Log in to Kaltura
- Click "Log in" in the top right of the application and sign in with your A# and password.
- Adjust the classroom camera
- If you don't see the classroom camera displayed in the preview window in Kaltura, select the
icon and ensure the Av.io source is selected as the source. - Open the camera controls on the classroom touch panel by pressing the button with a camera icon on the top or far right of the touch panel.
- While watching the selfview in Kaltura, use the camera controls to move and zoom in/out the camera to the desired position.
- If you don't see the classroom camera displayed in the preview window in Kaltura, select the
- Test microphone
- Remove the microphone from it's charging base and turn it on.
- Clip the microphone 6-8 inches directly below your mouth.
- Speak into the microphone and confirm that the audio level is moving in the lower right of Kaltura.
- If no audio level is visible, ensure the microphone is turned on.
- If the microphone is on and you still don't see a level, press the icon and try a different microphone source.
Tips & Tricks
Repeat Questions: Most classrooms do not have microphones for student comments. When a student makes a comment or asks a question, repeat it so that students viewing the class through Zoom or on the recording hear that comment/question.
Camera Position: When possible, position the classroom camera so that the top half of your body fills the frame. This will help students better see your facial expressions and body language when viewed through Zoom or the recording.
Microphone Position: Position the microphone 6-8 inches directly below your mouth for optimal audio quality. This is especially important when wearing a mask.