VIVES has classrooms equipped with specific software and hardware enabling you to take classes from home. There are different types of streaming rooms working with Blackboard Collaborate as well as hybrid rooms using MS Teams Rooms. 

Practical information and manuals

As a student following a class from home, your abilities to follow the class and/or participate in that class will depend from where the lecturer is teaching the class. This can be from home (off-campus) or one of the many streaming or hybrid classrooms on VIVES. Classes can be taken synchronously, which means you are following the class as it happens. Asynchronous classes can also be organized, which means you will follow a recorded class at a time of your choosing. On this page you will find an overview of the different types of classes, corresponding software and manuals.

Synchronous off-campus classes

In this situation all students are following the class from a distance and nobody is sitting in a classroom. This is the setting when a lecturer is teaching from home.

All classes taught synchronously off-campus occur via the online meeting software Blackboard Collaborate. You can follow the class directly via the Toledo course of the course unit.

This quickstarter explains how to participate in a Blackboard Collaborate-session, how to use the chat, raise your virtual hand, answer a poll and so on.

Quickstarter-BlackboardCollaborate.pdf

Synchronous on-campus classes in hybrid classrooms

In this situation there are both students sitting in a classroom on a VIVES campus and students following along from a distance.

In a hybrid classroom extra software and hardware is provided so that

  • students following the class from a distance can see and hear the lecturer and students present; 
  • students following the class from a distance can see the presentation;
  • students in the classroom can hear the students following the class from a distance.

Classes in a hybrid classroom are organized with MS Teams Rooms. Are you a student following the class from a distance, then your lecturer will give you a link in your Toledo course to follow the class along. You do not have to install any software on your computer.

Quickstarter_Streaming MS Teams.pdf

Synchronous on-campus classes in streaming classroom with Blackboard Collaborate

In this situation there are both students sitting in a classroom on a VIVES campus and students following along from a distance.

In a streaming classroom equipped with Blackboard Collaborate extra hardware is provided so that

  • students following the class from a distance can see and hear the lecturer; 
  • students following the class from a distance can see all students present when the camera is pointed towards them; 
  • students following the class from a distance can see the presentation; 

This quickstarter explains how to participate in a Blackboard Collaborate-session, how to use the chat, raise your virtual hand, answer a poll and so on.

Quickstarter-BlackboardCollaborate.pdf

Experiencing problems? Blackboard Collaborate has an extensive help page, explaining for example how  you can give your browser permission to activate your webcam.  

Asynchronous classes

Asynchronous classes can be consulted via the Toledo course of the course unit.

What do I need to take online classes?

You need a laptop with microphone (possibly a headset), webcam and a stable internet connection to take online classes. Is the purchase of these items a financial burden, Inquire with STUVO (student facilities) about financial aid. Get into contact with STUVO.

How can I ask questions or respond during online classes?

Depending on the application used, it is possible to ask questions or respond from home. For example by virtually raising your hand and asking a question through your microphone, or posting a question in the chat. Your lecturer will indicate the possibilities during the class.

Sometimes other tools are used as well, like live polling. Once again the lecturer will provide you with all necessary information. With most tools you do not have to pre-install anything.

How can I collaborate online with other students?

When the lecturer assigns group work, he could create groups in Toledo. If not, you can use your preferred tool. There are many and they are often free but take certain limitations (for example the amount of participants) and the privacy of your data into account. You can collaborate on documents via your Office 365 account. All support for working with Microsoft Office 365 can be found on that page.

Study tips

The combination online classes, classes on campus, group works and internships is not always easy. A clear overview of all activities and planning sufficient processing time is a good start. The study coach will gladly help you out with tips on planning and studying.