Online teaching: Using Zoom to connect with learners

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/using-zoom-to-connect-with-learners

Introduction

### Course Review: Online Teaching: Using Zoom to Connect with Learners In today's digital landscape, the shift towards online education has become increasingly prevalent, making it essential for educators to adapt their teaching methods. One platform that has risen to prominence in this transition is Zoom. Coursera’s course, **“Online Teaching: Using Zoom to Connect with Learners”**, provides educators with the necessary skills to navigate this platform effectively and create engaging online learning environments. #### Course Overview This course flows seamlessly, focusing on various aspects of using Zoom for educational purposes. Designed for educators who want to enhance their online teaching capabilities, it emphasizes building confidence in using Zoom’s functionalities tailored to a live classroom setting. The course consists of five weeks, each targeting a specific theme, ensuring that participants not only learn how to operate Zoom effectively but also how to create a positive and interactive learning experience. #### Syllabus Breakdown 1. **Essential Zoom Settings and Controls for Educators (Week 1)** The course kicks off by familiarizing participants with Zoom’s interface, different licensing options, and resources available through the Zoom resource center. This foundational week is vital for educators who may feel overwhelmed by technology, as it demystifies the platform and prepares them for further exploration. 2. **Prepare Your Virtual Classroom on Zoom (Week 2)** Week two delves into creating a safe online environment. Topics such as privacy, security, and accessibility are essential in today’s teaching landscape. Educators learn how to adjust Zoom's settings to ensure a supportive atmosphere that caters to diverse learners. 3. **Zoom Tools for Learner Engagement (Week 3)** Understanding “Zoom fatigue” is crucial; therefore, this week focuses on techniques to maintain engagement and interaction. The introduction of Zoom's core functionalities helps educators design lessons that keep learners attentive and motivated, turning potential exhaustion into an enriching experience. 4. **Creating Engaging and Interactive Online Lessons (Week 4)** Elevating the practical application of Zoom tools, this week emphasizes the functionalities that foster collaboration, such as breakout rooms and screen sharing. By actively involving learners, educators can bridge the distance often felt in virtual classrooms, enhancing the sense of community among participants. 5. **Zoom Lesson Plans and 3rd Party Application Integration (Week 5)** The final week wraps up with insights into lesson planning and integrating third-party applications for enhanced functionality. Educators are encouraged to thoughtfully select tools that best fit their learners’ needs and the objectives of their lessons, providing a comprehensive understanding of lesson design in a virtual context. #### Recommendations **Who Should Enroll?** This course is ideal for educators at any level—whether you’re a seasoned teacher or new to the profession—who want to harness the power of technology to deliver engaging online classes. It’s particularly beneficial for those transitioning from traditional teaching methods to virtual environments. **Why You Should Take This Course** What sets this course apart is its practical, hands-on approach. Each week builds upon the last, promoting a gradual and thorough understanding of Zoom’s functionalities. The skills acquired will not only enhance your teaching prowess but also contribute positively to your learners' educational experiences. **Final Thoughts** “Online Teaching: Using Zoom to Connect with Learners” is a must-take for educators committed to improving their online teaching strategies. The well-structured curriculum, combined with valuable tips for enhancing student engagement and producing interactive lessons, increases confidence in teaching in a virtual world. By investing in this course, you’ll be better equipped to thrive in today’s online learning environment, ensuring successful outcomes for you and your students alike. Enroll today and transform your online teaching experience!

Syllabus

Essential Zoom settings and controls for educators

Welcome to Week 1! This week we will explore how Zoom can be used to create a virtual or online classroom environment. We will take time to familarise ourselves with Zoom, the license or plans that are available, and the resources that can be accessed via the Zoom resource centre. We will then focus our attention on learning more about the appropriate Zoom controls, settings and preferences for an educational context.

Welcome to Week 2! This week we will focus on creating a safe and supportive space for learners, and will explore privacy, security and accessibility in more detail. We will investigate Zoom's settings in an applied educational context, which will help you to confidently set up your virtual class so it is appropriate for your cohort of learners.

Welcome to Week 3! Understanding what Zoom fatigue is can help you as an educator design virtual lessons that will prevent this feeling for you and your learners. This week we will explore techniques to assist with this and introduce the four main Zoom functionalities to increase learner interaction and lessen Zoom fatigue.

Welcome to Week 4! This week we will continue to build your technical confidence and skills by diving deeper into Zoom tools that can facilitate learner engagement (as polls, chat, reactions, whiteboard, screen sharing) and learner collaboration (breakout rooms). Using these Zoom tools can assist you, the educator, in reducing the perceived distance between you and your learners and ensuring they are engaged and connected to their learning.

Welcome to Week 5! As you have now discovered there is a range of Zoom tools that educators can use to create and deliver an engaging and interactive lesson. From a technological perspective, knowing how to use these tools is important however, the real skill is knowing how to strategically select and use tools that are appropriate for your learners and the purpose of the lesson. This week we will explore designing an online lesson plan using Zoom.