Asking Questions/Making Comments
how do virtual students ask questions? In text only? with voice? any time? at specified times?
Note: if a student wants to speak and their audio is inaudible or poor quality ask them to use the text chat. During a lecture is not the time to troubleshoot audio problems.
Recording of Sessions
Interaction
If the sessions aren't interactive for the DE students then they may as well record the lecture 'in absentia'. How do you make lectures interactive?
Chatting between Students
Should virtual students be able to chat to each other during the presentation. Given that all comments are visible to the f2f students via the large screen, I suggest that students be encouraged to communicate with each other on topic, and it allows them to process the information via a different channel. While this may initially be distracting for f2f students, the perspectives presented by the distance students may be of value to them, and it helps generate a feeling of class unity and immediacy.
Taking Leave During Sessions
Should virtual students be free to come and go at will during the session? I think yes as long as they announce their movement in the text chat eg brb = be right back, or back in 10, etc.
Technical Help During Lectures
I don't think it's reasonable to expect lecturers to worry about this once the lecture has begun. Students can ring the number of a helpdesk person if necessary. (This will be Michael in the first instance.)
Use of Classroom Outside of Lecture Times