Videoconferencing in e-learning, integration and tricks to get your students' attention

Integrate video conferencing into your e-learning course

When someone decides on an e-learning course one of the negative characteristics is that they cannot have direct contact with the teacher. They are afraid that due to the distance the relationship will be more cold and distant, and that they will not be able to solve your doubts in a direct way. By means of the different digital options available, this cold relationship can be avoided and the students can be brought closer to the teachers. Videoconferences are one of the most used alternatives for this purpose.

 

Positive points of videoconferencing

• With the video conferences you get a real time contact with the student. You will be able to solve all their doubts at the moment, besides getting a feedback, because those consultations can be useful for you to improve in next courses or explanations.
• The ability to remove the barriers of distance and time is one of its great virtues. You will get closer to the student and you will avoid the feeling of loneliness and isolation that this type of course usually produces.
• Another great option is that they can serve as a link between the students themselves for joint work or for some debate. In this way, an atmosphere similar to that of a face-to-face class can be created.

How to take advantage of video conferences?

In order to make good use of this tool the main thing is that you know how to use it perfectly. If you are going to use it for the first time, it is really important that before a real video conference you try to practice with someone you know. This will allow you to see what all the options are that your program offers and if they are really valuable. Through this rehearsal you will lose your fear and be much more relaxed life. As time goes by and you use it, you will see how you become more familiar with the program.

The main objective is that you show yourself naturally, for this reason it is also important that you are not seen reading. It gives your listener a greater sense of security to watch you relax and be confident in what you are saying. The ideal is to make it look like a conversation and not a private master class.

One of the essential elements you need to make sure works properly is the microphone. To check its condition, if you practice before you can see if it fails, what is the problem, and what is the distance you need to hear it well.

This is very important because a bad sound can distort the explanation and can prevent your listener from hearing you properly.

When you start the video conference, at the beginning, it is advisable that you comment that if you hear it wrong they will let you know so that you can solve it immediately. This can prevent a video conference from being disastrous and not being able to take full advantage of it.

Another element of great importance is the camera. It is essential that you have an image with the highest quality possible. For this it is important to ensure a good position and adequate light. Ideally, you should have natural light, but an artificial one can also achieve great results. Before you start, check it out.

The camera shows what you look like. It's important that you look good. Think of it as one of the few moments when your students will see you in person. Show a neat, clean and professional image.

About the ambience, observe which parts of the room are visible and if they give a good image. Avoid showing messy spaces. If you can choose clean white walls, they will give a more professional image.

With respect to students, it is important to keep in mind that just as it took you time to get used to the video conferencing software, the same can happen to them. Therefore, it is recommended that at the beginning of the conference you give them a brief explanation of its use and functions. You can also send them an explanation by email with the written explanation as a supplement.

But you should be aware that certain features it offers may not be needed at this conference. Explain only those you will need, or even explain them at the time you use it. Keep in mind that cramming them with information at the beginning may cause them to miss out on so much information.

Finally, the relationship with the students must be clear. To achieve this, it is important that you make it clear at the outset what the issues are to be addressed. This will avoid uncomfortable questions or questions that do not fit in with the topic you are presenting.

As a great complement for all students, is that you record these video conferences for those who can not be present live and so they can view it as many times as they want.
With all these tips you will have no problem in your video conferences. You will be able to provide a great service to your students that will help them to get  a quality e-learning course.

 

Non-verbal language tips for your online course

Perfect, you're already connected. Everything seems to be working. You're nervous about entering a new environment, the digital one. If you're a teacher, you know how difficult it is to establish good communication with your students. The subject, the day and a thousand other factors will influence the session. But this is what we are here for. In the next post we will give you a series of strategies with which you will be able to "hook" those present and, at the very least, influence their learning. Keep reading and discover how to maximize the importance of your non-verbal language!

The keys to e-Learning success

You see yourself through your computer window and have no idea whether your students are paying attention to you or even seeing you. All your tricks and stunts in the classroom are behind you. You can't walk around; you can't go near them... But you have one ace up your sleeve: non-verbal communication.
The words you verbalize only represent 7% of the entire communicative process. Your voice and all its characteristics account for 38%, while body language accounts for the remaining 55%. Is it time to reflect on how to use it effectively? This is when we have to consider a series of characteristics:

• Take care of the frame. The power of an image is beyond comprehension (to be told to the cinema). What appears in the frame offers the first impression you want to give and therefore you must take care of it. Normally, what you see is a short shot (between the height of the armpits and the waist). In your case as a teacher, you should occupy the central part. Take care of the elements that appear around you, as they are considered significant.
• The power of gestures. It is not advisable to relax too much and adopt inappropriate postures. You have to sit comfortably with a straight back. On the other hand, you must keep your distance from the camera, as too much closeness can convey the feeling of invasion of space. In addition, your image will be distorted, and we believe that this is not what you are looking for.
• The eyes are the point of connection. Your gaze determines the degree of attention and interest you show. Looking at the camera will make the speaker feel that you are aiming directly at their eyes. Be careful when positioning the camera so that you do not force the position or appear to be looking elsewhere. Of course, avoid having your hair cover your face.
• Don't forget to smile. It is a gesture that produces a feeling of closeness, predisposes the interlocutor positively and benefits communication. Avoid forcing it and don't make negative gestures such as yawning.
• What the hands express. One must show dynamism without falling into exaggeration, as it can give the sensation of nervousness and insecurity. Avoid crossing your arms or covering your face by bringing them too close to the camera.
• The clothes. A lot of personal information is given through the clothing depending on the colours, shapes, textures or combinations. The clothing must be planned according to the image that you want to transmit. In any case, you should choose comfortable clothing that allows you to sit without being disturbed or oppressed.

These are just some tips to get you out of your online video conference successfully. As you have seen, with the e-Learning method you not only teach your students, you also learn new things. You don't have an LMS platform yet?