Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom is an integrated web conferencing tool by Bongo. It helps instructors engage learners in two-way video conversations. Virtual Classroom is available within TCU Online courses now under the People menu on the course navbar.

Note: TCU does not have the Premium license for Virtual Classroom. TCU does currently have Zoom Pro through TCU IT’s department that integrates with TCU Online.

Features of Virtual Classroom in TCU Online include:

  • Run live video sessions right within your course.
  • Faculty can schedule live discussions, office hours, video-based training, and more.
  • Video sessions can be automatically recorded and seamlessly embedded into course content modules alongside other learning materials. Session recordings will be available for 14 days.
  • Voice and video conferencing
  • Max # of participants 50
  • Max of 60 minutes
  • Up to 7 simultaneous webcams enabled
  • Whiteboard
  • Document and desktop sharing
  • Live chat
  • VoiP-based audio and Phone bridge (for instructors)
  • 250 sessions per week for all of TCU

Create, reschedule or cancel a virtual classroom session (instructors only)

Create a Virtual Classroom Meeting

Invite Others and Launch Meetings

Create a Content Link to a virtual classroom session (instructors only)

  1. On the course home page, click Content.
    Content on Nav Bar
  2. In the module or sub-module where you want to add the quicklink, from the Existing Activities button, select Virtual Classrooms.
    Virtual Classroom from Existing Activities menu
  3. Select the meeting that you want to add or click Create Meeting to schedule a new session.

Tips for using Virtual Classroom

  • Use a laptop or desktop computer, tablets and mobile devices do not support all the features.  Chrome and Firefox are the recommended and supported browsers.
  • Use headphones instead of speakers to prevent voice echo.
  • The Enter Meeting Room button will activate when it’s time to start your meeting, refresh your screen when it is time to start.
  • You can setup meetings for specific users, however those users must be enrolled in the course and must also have first opened the Virtual Classroom tool prior to being assigned to a meeting.

Audio and Video

  • Watch for browser permissions that appear at the top of the page and allow for your webcam and microphone to be used.
  • Share your microphone and webcam only when needed or required.
  • You can share and un-share your webcam and microphone when necessary.
  • Please use Chrome or Firefox.

Recording

  • Click the record button when you are ready to start the recording. Click record again when you want to finish the recording.
  • You can start, stop, and restart the recording, but all parts are combined into one video per meeting.
  • If you forget to click the record button in an assignment meeting, the entire meeting will be recorded automatically.
  • Your recording will be available for viewing after processing which may require 30-90 minutes depending on your meeting duration.

Participation

  • Session features may vary based on the configuration settings chosen by the moderator or assignment requirements.
  • Share your webcam and unmute your microphone only when needed or required, start with the Listen option unless your moderator provides other directions.
  • If you are using Chrome and will share your desktop, install the Screen Capturing for Bongo plugin from the Chrome Web Store so that your computer is ready when the meeting starts.
  • If you are using Firefox, ensure you have an up-to-date version to enable screen sharing during the meeting.

Virtual Classroom Tools

For information on Virtual Classroom Tools, visit Bongo’s Virtual Classroom Tools support page.

Captioning in Virtual Classroom

The stenographer role allows for any participant in an instructor driven Virtual Classroom session to provide real time captioning for participants.

For information on live captioning in Virtual Classroom, visit the Deliver Live Captions in Virtual Classroom page.