WiZiQ Blog

Multiple File Uploads and Embed Educational Tutorials Using WiZiQ Content

We upgraded WiZiQ Content yesterday. WiZiQ now enables teachers, experts, learners to share a wide variety of files : pdf documents, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, audio files, video files, Flash files as well as embed web assets [videos, pdf, doc, excel, audio, podcasts] on WiZiQ.

You can upload these files on WiZiQ content to share with students and learners:

1. doc - docx
2. pdf
3. xls-xlsx
4. ppt-pptx-pps-ppsx
5. swf-flv
6. mov-avi-mpeg-wmv
7. wav-wma-mp3

You can upload up to 20 MB files for doc-docx, pdf, xls-xlsx, ppt-pptx-pps-ppsx, swf-flv and 50 MB for mov-avi-mpeg-wmv and wav-wma-mp3.

You can embed content from almost any website in the world. Some of the websites where you can find relevant educational content are:

1. authorStream
2. Scribd
3. Slideshare
4. YouTube
5. TeacherTube
6. AcademicEarth

For any questions or comments, please drop us an email at support@wiziq.com or comment on this post.

Teachers : Schedule a Public Class on WiZiQ the Easy Way

Public Online Classes are a great way to be noticed, get feedback on your teaching style, make contacts, showcase your work and increase your visibility on Google and WiZiQ. There are two ways to schedule a public online class on WiZiQ:

1. Apply for a public online class
2. If you have access you can create your own public classes

A few teachers have access to create public classes [point 2 above]. Applying for a public class meant someone contacted you, checked the information and then scheduled the class. Starting today, we are making the process simpler. From today on WiZiQ, all "teachers" would be able to schedule a public online class from the same interface that you schedule a private online class.

You can select "Public" option under "Privacy", if you want to schedule a public online class. Fill in the information like you do for your public class [we recommend at least 300 words for your self and 300 words for your class as well as at least 5 relevant tags] and select a date/ time [at least 48 hours or later], and that's it. For the first few public classes you conduct, we will approve the class. This is to ensure that good quality class is being offered to the students and miscreants do not take advantage of the open window with content, not appropriate for children. However, after a first few classes, we are happy to give you the control and not require approval.

For questions and comments, please write to us at support@wiziq.com

Online Class Recordings on WiZiQ

WiZiQ has powerful automatic recording functionality for your online classes. The following are the salient features of WiZiQ Recordings:

• All classes are recorded automatically and are completely secure - no one can share the URL
• Anyone can watch the recording if the teacher/ presenter shares the common URL
• Teachers/ presenters can select if they want to record the class for themselves or for their attendees [by default, all classes are recorded for teachers]
• Teachers/ presenters can take back the access to view recordings from attendees
• Teachers/ presenters can delete the recording
• Teachers/ presenters can invite contacts [WiZiQ/ email addresses] to watch the recording
• Teachers/ presenters can allow attendees to download/ not download the recording [premium feature]
• Teachers/ presenters can download the recording themselves [premium feature]

You can learn more about the Recordings on WiZiQ by browsing the following presentation:

WiZiQ Class Recording

Uploaded by Sarvinder-Sandhu on WiZiQ Tutorials

Best Practices in Live Synchronous Online Teaching

Moving from an offline classroom teaching to live online synchronous teaching [teaching face to face, and not using pre-recorded videos] is a giant leap not only in terms of technology but also preparation, etiquette and conduct.

A lot of what worked offline [preparing for your class well in advance, making your class interactive, using illustrations, explaining using an example, giving meaningful homework] continue to work well online too. Somethings change however. We look at some of these in this post:

1. Keep all your equipment ready and test it in advance : There is nothing worse than checking if the mic/ webcam/ headphone is working or not right in the middle of the class. Test once, twice and as many times as you need all your devices : computer/ laptop, mic, headphones, webcam. Try and use standard equipment to minimize the compatibility issues. If possible, test the devices with the students as well.
2. Check your connection settings : You can never have enough of bandwidth. Keep at least 512 kbps or more connection and make sure you do not download, use Skype/ messengers, stream videos during the live online class. The more the bandwidth you will divert to the virtual classroom software, the better would be the experience.
3. Processor Speed/ Memory : Whiteboards and Online Virtual Classrooms are memory intensive applications. Try and close all heavy applications like Adobe Photoshop, PowerPoint, pdf Writer and have maximum processor usage as well as memory available for the Virtual Classroom.
4. Always do a test : Even if you are a seasoned pro, always do a test for students new to your classroom. This will help you see if they suffer from device incompatibility or poor bandwidth issues. Doing this before the actual class can make the difference between a smooth or haphazard class.
5. Schedule your class in advance : Always schedule your class in advance [one week at least] and it is best to have the class at same day/ same time to set a rhythm and predictability to online learning for the students. This also helps students plan their day and week in advance. In case of any doubt, always ask the students for their preference for class time.
6. Prepare your class in advance : Attention spans on Internet are low. Hence, you need to be ready the minute the clock says "Go". Have your whiteboards ready with graphs and drawings as well as  the files [pdf/ PowerPoint/ Word/ Excel] you need and check the links [YouTube/ Slideshare/ Scribd/ authorStream] again to see that they work. The smoother you can make your class, the better the learning experience would be. Premium teachers can get their class ready beforehand easily on WiZiQ.
7. Have a moderator : If you are not that familiar with technology or you have more than 10 students in a class, consider having a moderator who can transfer controls to the students [speaking, writing, streaming video] and answer any technical queries from the students.
8. Have a holding slide : Say your online live class starts at 10 AM. Everyone starts logging in at that time and it can take everyone about 2-3 minutes to join the class. Have a holding slide with class title, objectives and welcoming the students [Please wait for 02 minutes and we will start the class in a few minutes]. Here is a good example of a holding slide : Simple Tips for Feng Shui for Abundance and Wellbeing 
9. Use Illustrations : Computers and Internet open up opportunity to go visual and aural. Make use of graphs, diagrams, emoticons, images, video and audio. This will bring your class alive and help students learn by associating with visuals and sounds.
10. Anonymous Feedback/ Chat : One of the advantage online classes provide to the learners is that they can communicate privately with the teacher [without worrying about what the rest of the class says]. Make use of this feature to the fullest. Let the class know they can send you a private message. This will allow each participant to get their doubts and queries resolved and answered.
11. Audio, video and writing controls : The more the people with audio, video and writing controls, the more chaotic the class can become. Limit the number of students with access to speaking in a class or writing on the whiteboard. This will allow others an opportunity to listen and wait, and if they have something to contribute, they can always type it in the chat area.
12. 02 hours is an epic online : Try and keep your classes under 02 hours. This means each of your class should be focused on key learning objectives and fit in only as many learning objectives as you can in 02 hours or less. If needed, meet daily but keep the live meetings/ classes short.
13. Engage students asynchronously as well : Students should be able to take back class material/ notes [through content sharing] and class recordings at a minimum. This allows students to leverage online environment for their own learning benefit. If possible, also have tests at the end of one/ few classes to check if the students have been grasping the subject. Apart from that, send students interesting videos, content, blog posts periodically as well.
14. Analyze student feedback : Best practices in how to conduct an online class are being currently written and researched. Your best guide would be your students. Talk to them, gather feedback and analyze their behavior. This will help you in the next class(es).
15. Handling Exigencies : You should know how to handle exigencies. If a class can not be conducted for whatever reason or one of the attendees is having some issues, try and extend the session, reschedule the session or ask the attendee to watch the recording later and spend the next class touching on the topic of the previous class.

Vikrama Dhiman

WiZiQ is one of Jane Hart's Top Tools for 2009

Jane Hart, a reputed e-Learning blogger has included WiZiQ in her list of Top Tools for 2009. Read more about the same in her post Top Tools for 2009.

Jane has also written about WiZiQ Virtual Classroom Embed and WiZiQ Virtual Classroom for Moodle too.

Create Your Own Free Online Public Classes - Yourself

Currently, if you want to schedule a Public Class, you can send us the details using the Public Class Request Form. We normally respond to all requests within a day. This allows us to check what class is being presented [eliminating fake or offensive content], and also to help the teacher present this better [by providing them training and resolving any queries or issues they might have]. However, some of the teachers using WiZiQ wanted the functionality to schedule their free public classes themselves, as they are now scheduling more public classes than ever before. And now, this is possible.

We have given select teachers the functionality to schedule their own free public classes. They can select the topic, date/ time, fill in the description of the class and choose to make the it public [all this can be done under "Schedule a New Session" once you sign in to WiZiQ]. If you are a teacher who does not have this access, you might be thinking - "All this is fine, but how does WiZiQ decide, which teachers should have this functionality of creating their own public classes?" We consider the following factors:

• Your teacher profile shows us you are real and serious. We recommend at least 60% teacher profile filled with a photograph.
• Private classes/Public classes conducted : The more classes conducted, the better it is. We know you are comfortable with the technology, and again, you are serious about your online teaching reputation and career.

This should get you functionality to create your free WiZiQ Public Classes. If you would like to conduct your own Paid Public Classes - then wait for our next Blog Post Tomorrow :-)

That's it. If you feel you meet the criteria above, get the functionality to create your own public classes - Now!!!