This article explores a number of different suggestions for Trinity Laban teaching staff to deliver effective remote teaching.
This content relates to both FacultiesBefore you start
All enquiries about delivering teaching should be directed to the Digital Enhanced Learning (DEL) team. This post remains here as there may be some useful information.
What type of learning do you want to offer?
The situation we currently find ourselves in is challenging for all, so we want to ensure that whatever we do put in place works as effectively for all students as possible. For this reason, we’d suggest aiming to primarily use as much asynchronous content as is reasonable for course content using existing tools (Moodle pages and files, eStream recordings (including new recordings), ebooks and other online resources from the libraries). Together with this, you may want to introduce live one to one (or small group) sessions, or live delivered sessions to multiple participants.
Asynchronous content delivery
Asynchronous delivery means that students can go through the content at their own pace. As students are currently accessing content from all around the world, this means that they can participate in learning at times that suit them. It also lessens the impact of technology and internet speeds, as a number of resources can be streamed or downloaded for offline access.
Recommended tools to assist with asynchronous delivery
Moodle – Trinity Laban’s virtual learning environment.
eStream – Trinity Laban’s media streaming service, which accepts uploading of new content, and can be used to accept multimedia assessments through Moodle.
- Help with uploading content to eStream
- Help with using video or audio in Moodle pages, forums, and assessments
- Help with the eStream web recorder for making content
- Help with preparing content for eStream
Other online resources – The libraries in both faculties have access to a wide range of online resources as well as being able to potentially source or recommend others. For further information, see the Jerwood Library information pages or the Laban Library information pages on Moodle.
Synchronous content delivery
Standard requirements
For video or audio delivery over the internet, you will need a connected microphone (audio only) or a webcam (which tend to have integrated microphones). Many recently released laptops have these, as do most smart phones, however, older devices may not and will require external webcams to be used.
Internet speed is an important factor when delivering live content. It is normally recommended that wired LAN connection is used rather than WiFi (so you may want to position your device near your router). You can check your internet speed at https://www.speedtest.net/ and for effective live video delivery, you have a minimum of 1.5Mbps in BOTH upload and Download speed. Internet connection speeds lower than this may result in less than optimum experiences.
Recommended synchronous tools and workflows
Below are a list of recommended tools which you may find useful for the delivery of synchronous content.
When using any of these tools, please consider the following:
- Privacy & third party data policy of the platform;
- Recording the session and uploading to eStream for students who were unable to attend;
Video Conferencing options
Video Conferencing allows individuals within the meeting to see and hear (if participants have & enable webcams & microphones) one another. We’d suggest using Teams for 1 to 1 (or very small groups) tutorials, and Adobe Connect for larger seminars.
Microsoft Teams
Teams is set up so all students and staff members should be able to access it by logging in to https://teams.microsoft.com with their personal Trinity Laban email address and password. As such, the privacy policy is inline with EU legislation, and all data is kept within the EU.
You can set up groups of students, which are called Teams, and manually add students to each Team. They will receive an email notifying them of their inclusion in the team. There are apps that will work on phones, tablets and desktops.
Within each team, you can schedule and host meetings (text chat, video or audio) of up to 100 participants at a time, although we’d recommend keeping participant numbers under 20 to effectively use video chat. Limitations of this platform include only being able to see up to 9 people at a time (in a 3 x 3 grid) (this is due to rise to 49 (7×7 grid) in September). That said, it is very straightforward to record group sessions, which can then later be uploaded to eStream for revisiting by students who were unable to attend.
When using the desktop app, you can share your screen, and use the platform to deliver Powerpoint presentations.
The chat functionality of Teams is very good and easy to use for 1 to 1 meetings (text, video or audio).
Our recommendation for use: 1 to 1 video chats, small group (less than 5) seminars, text only group.
Useful guides to Teams are available on the Microsoft Teams website.
Adobe Connect
Adobe Connect is a very versatile online learning environment with robust privacy and compliance. For more information, see Moodle or contact the Digitally Enhanced Learning team.
Considerations when using third party content
Getting help
Digital Learning Manager: Dario van Gammeren (email) / DEL team (email)