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Technical preparations on campus for remote and hybrid activities

The remote or hybrid activity will become more rewarding for the students when you feel comfortable with the technical equipment and the teaching situation. Here, you will find recommendations on how to prepare yourself as well as the technical equipment for the activities in the room on campus.

Set aside time to prepare the equipment in the room

Arrive well in advance to the room to test and ensure that all equipment works properly before you start. This advice applies even if you have used the same room for teaching before. Software may need to be updated or a technical problem may have arisen with some of the equipment.

If you bring your own technical equipment, you will also need extra time to set it up properly.

Start by connecting your computer to the technical equipment in the room

When you arrive to the room, start by first connecting your computer to the technical equipment in the room. How to connect your computer may differ depending on which room you are in. There are lecture halls and classrooms adapted for hybrid activities as well as dedicated hybrid rooms.

Note! If you only intend to use the equipment you have brought with you, this does not apply to you. You can go to the heading "Test run all equipment after connecting your computer".

Lecture halls adapted for hybrid activities

In all lecture halls adapted for hybrid activities, you connect your computer to the technical equipment via the orange USB cable. The USB cable connects to the ceiling microphone, the document camera and, if available in the specific hall, to the camera.

In these lecture halls, you will find printed instructions at the teacher's desk describing how to apply the correct settings in Zoom.

Classrooms adapted for hybrid activities

In classrooms adapted for hybrid activities, you connect your computer to the room with the USB cable. The USB cable connects the room's document camera and its built-in microphone.

Hybrid rooms

There are two ways to connect your computer to the technical equipment in the hybrid rooms, depending on which ports are available in your computer:

  1. The connection part of an HDMI cable
    HDMI cable
    USB-C cable. It receives the signal from the (video) camera, ceiling microphone and document camera and sends audio and video to the room from your computer.
  2. HDMI cable sends the picture from the (video) camera and the audio to the room from your computer. You will also need to connect the USB-A cable to your computer to receive the signal from the (video) camera, ceiling microphone and document camera.

The different USB connections are explained on the page Connect with USB .

Test run all equipment after connecting your computer

When your computer is connected to the technical equipment of the room, start all programs and digital tools to be used during the hybrid activity. Also connect all additional equipment you might have brought with you, such as your own camera.

Then check that:

  • all connected cameras and microphones are selectable in Zoom.
  • the network works.
  • any wireless microphones are charged. Remember to charge the microphones before leaving the room.
  • the audio sounds good. When the students arrive: ask them how the audio is perceived.
  • the cameras are set to correctly show what you want to show. Remember the document camera if you intend to use it.
  • you know how to use the touch panel if you are in a lecture hall or hybrid room. You will find instructions describing how to use the touch panel in the room.

It is recommended to perform a technical test run from both the sender side and the recipient side.

For more information and advice on the equipment in the halls, read the pages:

Remember also to prepare Zoom for distance and hybrid teaching .

Adapt to the situation and the technical equipment used

Pronunciation and body language needs to be adapted for the situation so what you communicate is perceived clearly through the screen and the speakers. Remote students may experience difficulties perceiving nuances, so you may need to enhance your verbal communication as well as your bodily expressions. For example, by having to articulate more and exaggerate your body language.

To practice this, try recording yourself in advance to be able to analyze how your communication is perceived through a screen.

The way you use the technical equipment is as important as its settings and quality. Read more about how you can Activate your remote students .