Steps to Teach/Host in Webex

Before the First Session/Meeting

1. As this could be the first Webex session for both you and your students, you may want to schedule it to start 30mins early. This step will allow you to set up the sharing, webcam, and audio. Staging the course also allows the students to join in earlier. They can only join in once you have started the Webex session.
2. Test the audio with a few early students and be assured you are all set.
3. Choose a quiet place to conduct the session. Make sure you advise your participants to do this too! Check your equipment and test in advance Computer or notebook connected to a (preferably) wired internet connection Headsets (microphone and headphones) Webcam (optional).
4. Silence your electronic devices and place them far away. Your mobile phone or other electronic devices might interrupt your session if they ring, beep or vibrate. If possible, switch them off during the session to prevent interference.
5. Test audio levels: If you have time before your session, please ensure that your participants can hear you and vice-versa. Get students to click the green check-mark to indicate that they can hear you loud and clear. However, do not spend too much time doing this.

At the Beginning of Each Session

1. Start the Webex session 10-15 minutes before class starts. Advise everyone to come in early, preferably 10 mins before the start time. Ask them to make use of this time to test their microphones, headsets, and webcams.
2. Enable chat between participants – set it under Assign Privileges. This setting is useful if they encounter technical problems and cannot get your attention.
3. Monitor the chat: If you have an assistant, your assistant can do this. Keep the chat window open so you can see any incoming messages. Request that participants mute their microphones when you start.
4. Set clear expectations: Set how you would like to take student questions.
   
   1. Can they interrupt, or are there are Q&A segments midway or at the end of the session?
   2. How should they ask via chat?
5. Check if everyone else can hear and see you. Pass the mic to your Teaching Assistant or a student and get them to say a few words. This test will allow you to check that your headsets work well, and you can hear them.
6. Create a welcoming atmosphere: When an attendee joins a session, they will get panicky if they hear and see nothing. You will need to set up a warm, welcoming mood. Background music may be useful, or merely a 1st page of the slide with a picture or note that says, “Welcome” or “You have successfully joined” or “The session will start at 9:05 a.m.”

During the Session

1. Should you or your students experience severe audio lag or quality issues, you may only switch to call-in or text chat. This change depends on your teaching requirements.
2. Ask “yes/no” questions to help you gauge how the class is doing. Use it at various points to know the students are following you.
3. Annotate and point: Use the annotation tools like pencil, pointer tool, or laser pointer to direct your students’ attention.
4. Collaborate: Not every question needs to be answered by the speaker or lecturer only. Like in an in-person class, you might have a student who wants to jump in and contribute. Check if anyone would like to respond to a fellow student question.
5. Arrange for a co-host/presenter: perhaps ask a student to do this. A co-host or presenter can handle participants’ text chat queries and simple technical issues that they may face. You will be engrossed in conducting the session, so you may not notice requests for assistance. Your co-host/presenter should attend training before the meeting to be familiar with Webex and to assist others. Assign this task on a rotating basis.
6. If necessary, be prepared to move someone to the lobby or expel them from the meeting.