Teacher Technical Guide

For all Distance Learning programs you will need:

• Desktop, laptop computer, or tablet
• Strong internet connection; a wired connection is preferable
• Projector
• Speakers
• Free Zoom videoconferencing softwareinstalled in advance

For Virtual Programs we have a few additional requirements to use during the program:

• Webcam
• Microphone

Nervous about technology? If you have scheduled a private Virtual Program, you can book a technical check-in. This check-in should not take more than 10 minutes. The Technical Check-in is designed to introduce you to the web platform we will be using for the day of the program, and gives us a chance to talk about the structure of the program.

• Make your browser window as big as you can or go full screen (usually found in the View menu of your browser menu bar).

• Make sure that your computer is set to stay awake for at least 30 minutes. This includes confirming that the screen saver won’t come on during your 30 minute program and that the computer itself won’t go to sleep.

Use the following steps to start any Distance Learning session or technical check-in. After you have a confirmed reservation for a Distance Learning session, you should receive a unique URL or 9-digit Meeting ID to use on the day of your scheduled session. (Example Link: https://zoom.us/j/123456789, Example Meeting ID: 123-456-789)

1. Open a browser window and enter the link.
   OR.
   Open the Zoom application on your computer or tablet, Click “Join a Meeting”, and Enter the 9-digit Meeting ID.
    
2. Enter your Name
   • In the box for your name, enter your class’s name, for example: Ms. Urban’s 1st grade class.
      
3. Click Join.
    
4. The Zoom window will open.
   • When you connect, you will see a pop-up window with “Join Audio Conference”.
     • Choose Audio “by computer” or “by phone”. Most will connect using computer audio.

Your Academy educator will see that you have signed on. You may be placed in a waiting room, please wait. The Academy staff members are not yet ready to begin. If you get this message at your designated meeting time, we’ll connect shortly or call your classroom to let you know of any problems.

1. The Meeting ID I was given is not working. If it is the time of the program and your given Connection Link or Meeting ID is not working, first double check there are 9-digits and the time/time-zone of the program.
    
2. I am in the meeting room, but I cannot hear anything. Check your computer and/or speaker(s) volume is turned up and not muted. You can also adjust which speakers Zoom is using by using Zoom’s “Audio Settings”
    
3. The sound is not coming in clearly. If you are using Wi-Fi, check to see if you have a strong signal. A weak signal can cause the audio to come in delayed or cutting out. If this is not the case, please let us know by typing into the chat box so we can adjust our microphones.
    
4. I am connected, but there is a long delay or the audio and video are out of sync. Sometimes, the network at a school or the Academy will suddenly get slower, causing a delay in the connection. If it is disruptively slow, we recommend closing all your browser windows and signing back into the room.
    
5. I cannot see all the windows presented in the program. Go out of Full Screen mode or go into Full screen mode. If you are using a tablet, you will not be able to see the entire screen.
    
6. I was connect to the program, but then my connection was lost. Exit the meeting and restart the Zoom application. Then re-enter the meeting room.
    
7. I keep losing my connection. This might mean that your internet network access is too slow. If you still cannot connect, you may have need to give up trying to connect. We record all our Special Live Events and would be happy to send it to you after the program has aired. Please email the Academy at distancelearning@calacademy.org to request the recording.