WE WILL CONTINUE UPDATING THESE INSTRUCTIONS AS NEW INFORMATION & PRACTICES BECOME KNOWN. Watch for "NEW! (Date)" flags to appear in the text below.
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We haven’t done much “online teaching and learning” at Whitman, let alone on a large scale. Perhaps you’ve never done anything like this at all. Please try not to worry too much. There will be some bumps on the road you are traveling, but remember that we are all on the road together, and as such, we are expecting bumps. We should collectively grant ourselves grace. Whitman will do its level best to support you in your efforts, and remember that your professors and fellow students can also act as resources. Google searches for tips, tricks, and troubleshooting can also be very helpful. If you learn something cool, please do share it with Technology Services, canvas_help@whitman.edu and others in the Whitman community-- you’ll be helping all of us when you do.
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4. Test: An excellent way to test your camera and microphone connection is:
On a computer
Sign in to https://whitmail.whitman.edu.
Open a new browser tab or window
Go to https://meet.google.com (even if your online class will not be in Google Meet.)
Click on “Join or Start a Meeting”
Click “Continue”
You’ll be asked some questions about allowing Meet to access your camera and your microphone. Allow this to happen.
If you see a video of yourself, your video feed is working! If not, try the following:
If your computer has any physical object (cover, piece of tape, etc) over the lens, make sure it’s been opened or removed.
You are likely staring at a black rectangle on the web page. In the bottom middle of that black rectangle you should see a circular camera icon. Make sure it’s not red. If it is, click it
In the bottom right of the black rectangle are three vertical dots. Click that and choose “Settings.”
Click the “Video” tab. Under “Camera,” make sure there’s a camera selected there. It might say something like “HD Camera” or “Built-in camera.”
Click “Done.”
If none of the above worked, call the Help Desk (509)-527-4976.
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PLEASE NOTE: At this time, Whitman is standardizing on using Google Meet (formerly Hangouts) as the place where online classes are held. However, some of your professors may use other technologies, like Canvas’ “Conferences,” or Zoom, Facetime, etc. Many of our instructions and tips below apply to Google Meet, BUT many are also generic enough that they can apply to other technologies.
First thing:
Plug in your headphones and put them on.
What do I connect to?
Your professor will send you a link through email, Canvas, or both. If the link comes to your email, it may come in the form of a Google Calendar invite.
What happens when I click on the online class invite link?
On a computer a web page will open. (Note that if it opens in Safari, Edge, or Explorer, you should copy the link and open it in Firefox or Chrome instead).
You’ll be asked some questions about allowing Meet to access your camera and your microphone. Allow this to happen.
You should see your video and your mic should be working (per your tests, #3 and #4 in “Get Your Gear Setup (remote students)” above.)
Click the microphone icon so it goes red. You have now muted your audio. As a general rule, you should mute your microphone during class unless you have something to say.
Click “Join Now” (and NOT “Present,” even if that’s what you intend to do).
You’re You’re in!
On a tablet or smartphone:
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Use the Chat feature as directed by your professor. Remember that all people in this Google Meet session can see the chat.
Tip: To make the Chat conceal itself, click/tap anywhere outside the Chat and it will go away.
Closed Captions:
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(Computer)If you don’t see a white bar at the bottom of your screen, wave your mouse around so it appears.
Click the three vertical dots at the bottom right of your screen (tablet/smartphone: upper right), and choose “Change Layout.” Choose “Sidebar”-- choosing this will allow for automatic switching to the main area of the screen the video feed of the person that is speaking. On the right side of the screen, you will see small video feeds of the other class participants.
To make anyone or even someone’s Powerpoint presentation occupy the whole browser screen, move your mouse over them and click on the pin icon. To leave this full screen mode, click on the pin again. This is on a computer. On a tablet or smartphone it’s very similar
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How do I get in/out of full screen mode?
On a computer, if you double click on your browser screen (not in the Chat or People area) and you will go completely full screen. Press the Escape key or double click again to get out of this.
Rotate your tablet or smartphone to go in and out of full screen.
Sharing your screen (when you have to do a presentation)
You can choose to share your entire screen or a specific window. Doing so can enable you to show Powerpoint presentations, web pages, etc.
Tip:Audio and/or Video: If you want to show a video or play audio, do not attempt this on the computer that is running Google Meet-- the whole thing will work very poorly if at all. Instead, share links and/or files ahead of class through Google Drive, Canvas, and/or email.
To start sharing your screen once you’ve joined a Google Meet:
Make sure you’re ready:
Powerpoint, Keynote, or Google Slides (in a separate browser window from your Google Meet session) are ready to go full screen)
Web pages, PDFs, or other material are loaded and ready to show.
See the above caution about showing audio and video.
Close any windows or files on your computer that you do not want other people to see-- when you share your screen, whatever you have open may be visible to others in the Google Meet session.
2. Wave your mouse on the screen during a Google Meet session. You may need to click once. From the white bar that appears at the bottom of the screen, click Present now.
3. A box will pop up with the options to present either your entire screen or a specific window on your computer. (On a Mac, it may only offer “entire screen”)
If you are planning on showing anything “full screen” you must choose “entire screen,” otherwise it may not work in your Google Meet Online Classroom.
You may be prompted to give your web browser permission to share your screen. On a Mac, you may be further prompted to give the browser permission through Apple’s System Preferences. Granting permission is ok, though be aware that your entire screen will be visible to remote students. When you do this (Mac), unfortunately, your browser (and/or app) may have to be restarted.
Now present your on screen material.
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To stop presenting:
- If you
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- have a full-screen Powerpoint or other presentation going, end that presentation.
- In your Google Meet screen, click "Stop presenting."
Note: if you cannot see what you are presenting, you can find what you’re sharing in the Participant list (the icon of people in the upper right hand corner of your screen).
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