Virtual Visit — Videoconferencing Guide
The following is a Virtual Visit guideline to help ensure that the program is of the highest quality possible. Review these suggestions and share them with your students prior to the day of your scheduled Virtual Visit.
What to do prior to a Virtual Visit
- When scheduling a Virtual Visit program, make sure you also send a date and time when you are available to do a test call (at least one week prior to date of actual program).
- Please provide a work and cell phone number where you can be reached during the Virtual Visit connection.
- Factor in enough time to complete in any/all pre and post activities before booking a Virtual Visit program (Some programs have an optional post connection).
- Consider room arrangement and lighting.
- Develop a back-up plan in the event of technical difficulties.
How to prepare your students for a Virtual Visit
- Remind students the camera can view the entire classroom, so they should be mindful of their actions.
- New York Hall of Science programs are highly interactive, inform your students their ideas, thoughts and questions are highly encouraged and appreciated.
- Encourage students to project their voice loudly and clearly when speaking so that fellow classmates and the Virtual Visit explainer can hear them.
- Instruct students when asking or answering a question, to raise their hand and wait for the facilitator to call on them.
What to consider the day of the Virtual Visit
- Make sure all necessary program materials are set-up and ready for the students to use the day of their Virtual Visit.
- Technology placement is very important. Please strategically place the microphone and camera in a place that is most convenient for all of your students.
- During the actual day of the Virtual Visit, dial in about 5 minutes before the program begins. This will help deal with any last minute issues that needs to be addressed before students arrive.
- Remind students of videoconferencing etiquette.
- An active facilitator on the connecting side is essential to ensuring a successful Virtual Visit for all involved.
- The facilitator can help the Virtual Visit explainer by choosing a student when he or she wants to participate.