Distance learning is starting to shape up. As the days and weeks go by we continue to learn what works and what doesn’t. It is the ultimate lesson plan that requires on the spot switch ups and changes as it unfolds before us each hour every day.
So, what are we learning about Video Meetups? Do you Zoom? Are you using Google Meet or Classroom Meet? How does it work for you? What are the pros and cons?
When you are teaching from home there are so many platforms to choose from; but not one platform is perfect! My team has used Google Meet (standard and Classroom) and Zoom for video meetups. For now, we like Zoom. Next week, I might change my mind…
As of today there are some clear pros and cons. But, tech is moving at the speed of light, so some of these may not apply as soon as I click the "publish" button. Also, these pro/con lists compare Zoom to Google CLASSROOM Meet; not standard Google Meet. There are a few more security measures with CLASSROOM Meets. Lastly, Zoom is a platform designed for video conferencing. While Google is attempting to "get up to speed" with what teachers need right now, it simply (understandably) does not have the same bells and whistles as Zoom.
Pros with Zoom:
- Secure
- Virtual Background Fun
- Screen Share
- Can Invite Non-District (student teachers) to join
- Students Cannot Re-enter Once the Meeting is Over
- Co-host Capabilities
- Smooth Mute/Unmute Controls
- Standard Grid Display Option
Cons with Zoom:
- 40 Minute Limit* (teachers are offered free unlimited)
- Audio/Video Can be Unstable/Frustrating
- Requires Providing a Clickable Link in Google Classroom or Providing the Credentials
Pros with Google CLASSROOM Meet:
- Audio/Video Smooth
- Easy One Click Entry Within the Classroom Header
- Students Cannot Reenter
- Screen Share
- Secure
Cons with Google CLASSROOM Meet:
- No Virtual Backgrounds
- Grid Display Requires Extension
- No Outsiders Allowed
- Mute/Unmute Controls Cannot Be Controlled by Host
- No Co-Host Option
GET READY FOR A MEETUP!
We have noticed that if we aren’t prepared with a little material all that happens is small talk and staring at each other for 30 minutes. To help you avoid the stare downs, here is a list of activities (some are quick and others require a little prep work) to help you have a successful virtual meetup.
CHARADES
Who doesn’t love to perform funny actions in order to make others laugh? Kids love to have permission to be silly especially in front of their peers. Having the teacher start gives the students directions and expectations for what they will be doing next. During our meetings I have the kids raise their hands to interject into conversations so this is a great cueing system for games as well. The student that guesses correctly gets to perform the next charade.
SHARE A JOKE
This has been one of our favorites since we started meeting. I love to find content related jokes that are silly or gets them thinking! I have also used seasonal jokes. (During Holiday Spirit Week I coordinated the jokes with the holiday of the day.) The kids can easily bring a joke or two to share as well. A joke can bring smiles to any conversation.
WOULD YOU RATHER QUESTIONS
The kids absolutely love when we post these on our classroom pages. Bringing these into the chats is a great way to get all of the kids talking. There are always a few kids that just observe and never really say much. This encourages them to answer quickly without too much attention brought to them.
HOW TO ACTIVITY
Using drawing or Origami, the students love to model their art work by following your directions. Keeping the activity and directions simple will help with keeping success high and frustration low. Having the students share their creations after is a great way to use your meetup time wisely.
GUESS WHO
Dress as a famous person and host a Guess Who session. Students get to ask 20 yes/no questions to determine who you are. If you are really clever, invite a guest Guess Who person to the meeting!
SHOW AND TELL
This time-honored favorite will be a hit. Ask students to bring an item to the meeting. If needed, break up the meeting into more than one day, or plan for small groups so that every student has an opportunity to share.
SPIRIT WEAR
Invite students to wear a certain item associated with a holiday or theme. Have them dress their pet, bring a sibling, or twinsie with someone. Because of the visual nature of meetups, use the format to encourage your students to engage in the visual aspect of the meetup even if they are reluctant to share vocally.
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| Our week of holiday themes! |
PLAY BINGO
Give students words throughout the week and have them assemble a bingo board. Play on Friday! You could "drop" bingo board words during live morning announcements, within instructions for particular assignments, or during "Bonus Zooms". Keep the students hunting throughout the week to fill their board as much as possible! If you use Zoom, switch out your virtual background throughout the week and have the location be bingo words.
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| Sometimes it's the mouse, sometimes it's the wizards. |
SCAVENGER HUNT
Create a list of item students need to find. For instance: a chapter book, a stuffed toy, a red coloring item, a refrigerator magnet, a box of pasta, one sock, something soft, a spring themed item. Have fun with it. At the end of the hunt, share out!
FIND SOMEONE WHO
Instead of finding "someone", find "something". This is similar to a scavenger hunt but with a level up on complexity. If your students are learning a specific content, connect that content to the item they need to find. For instance, "Find a liquid." "Find a producer." "Find something made from cotton."
PLAY HANGMAN
This classroom favorite can work well in a virtual meetup. Use a variety of words. Some that are seasonal, some that are content driven.
GIVE YOURSELF GRACE
Sometimes you have an awesome virtual meetup. Sometimes you're on the struggle bus with no stop in sight. Don't give up! It will get easier. Keep your expectations at a minimum and have fun. Your students won't mind if the meetup is a hot mess the entire time; they recognize that we are all trying our best. Ask for their advice- sometimes students come up with the best ideas!
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| This meetup started out on the struggle bus...but it corrected course later on! |
There are a lot of unknowns and unstable factors to any video meetup. But there is no question that it helps keep us all connected and gives us an avenue of some much needed facetime fun and laughter. Video meetups can be used to deliver instruction. But my team likes to use them to deliver something even more important: laughter. Have fun, everyone.