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Read full storyOff2Class 2.0 – 'Live Mode' Classroom is Here!
We’re thrilled to announce that Off2Class 2.0 is here!
Our new ‘live mode’ classroom has been rolled out to our beta testing group and we’re excited to tell you all about it!
We’re calling our new classroom ‘Live Mode’ as you can now edit and interact with our content live, with your students.
All existing controls in our classroom (pen, zoom, canvas, audio, typing tool) are now synced between you and your students. We’ve also added a host of new interactive controls (live chat, translate, text-to-speech, image search, dictionary) to the classroom!
Best of all, when your students join your live lessons, you can give them access to a pen tool and editing privileges for an awesome interactive learning experience!
Last week we recorded a 15-minute webinar session to introduce our beta testing group
to our ‘live mode’ classroom:
The Live Mode classroom is not just a new feature but an entirely new way of using Off2Class… with endless teaching possibilities!
- Live edits between you and your students. All of the text strings inside the Off2Class classroom are now clickable elements. Answer a gap fill question, write your own sentence, rewrite an example – bring on the interactivity!
- Student-side controls. Your students can now interact live with the Off2Class learning content via a pen tool and editing capabilities. Have your students answer a gap fill question, circle an appropriate image, match items and locate particular words.
- Powerful new teaching controls. We’ve added live chat, text-to-speech, translate, dictionary look-up and translation! Available to you via the click of a mouse.
- Say goodbye to screen sharing! If you’re teaching online, screen sharing can be clumsy and use up a lot of bandwidth. There’s no more need to use your videoconference system’s share screen feature with Off2Class! In Live Mode, all pen marks, zooming, typing, lesson audio and canvas elements on your side of Off2Class are mirroed on the student side of Off2Class, live!
- Videoconference integration. If you’re using a URL-based videoconference system such as Zoom.us or GoToMeeting (any system by which your students click a URL to join your session), you can load your URLs into your profile page. When you and your students join a lesson, you are each prompted to launch the videoconference.
- Group interactivity for classroom environments. Have your class interact over your live lessons by enrolling each of your students into your classroom. Perfect for a tablet-equipped classroom or a ‘bring-your-own-device’ environment.
How do you I obtain access to this new bag of tricks?
Our ‘live mode’ classroom is still in beta but we’re keen to share it with you. We have a limited number of spots left in our beta pool for current Off2Class subscribers. Send us a message and we’ll add you the beta list!
As always, let us know what you think below! Any and all feedback is appreciated!
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10 Comments
James Rantell says:
December 16, 2016 at 11:21 am
Hey guys,
Can’t wait for this to be released. I’ve been using an interface like this for several years now when teaching mathematics online, so it would be great to have a similar interface for my English teaching as well.
I’m looking forward to its introduction on Off2Class.
James.
Kris Jagasia says:
December 17, 2016 at 7:26 pm
Cheers James, send me a note and we can add you to the advanced beta group!
Kris
Priscila Gaglianone says:
December 17, 2016 at 7:22 pm
I would like to join the beta group please. Could you add me to the list?
Priscila
Kris Jagasia says:
December 17, 2016 at 7:27 pm
Absolutely Priscila,
Added!
Sergey Rachev says:
December 20, 2016 at 2:13 am
Hi Kris, I think the new live mode is a fantastic feature! I’d definitely like to try it and see how it works! Could you add me to it?
Kris Jagasia says:
December 20, 2016 at 2:16 am
Cheers Sergey! Added. I’ll send you the details privately.
Kris
Cyril says:
January 1, 2017 at 2:40 pm
Hello Kris
I actually just want to try off2class with my students.
And wondered that you want to make live mode.
I think it will be preaty cool! Can I get beta version too?
Kris Jagasia says:
January 1, 2017 at 4:24 pm
Welcome, Cyril! Yes, absolutely. We are in the process of rolling out Live Mode to all of our teachers this week and next and would be happy to add you to the new classroom.
James Rantell says:
January 6, 2017 at 7:51 am
Hi Kris,
I’m really loving the new new live interface. I having no problems with launching a lesson and my students are able to join the class ok and all the other interactive features are working a treat. The only problem I’m experiencing is with getting the video to start. I’ve opted for Zoom and so have my own personal meeting link but when I click on the Start Video button I don’t seem to be able to enter my own meeting and so, of course, my students are experiencing similar problems. I’m not sure whether this is something I’ve done incorrectly or what. I’m currently working around the issue by starting Zoom from my desktop and inviting my student into a meeting that way. It works but it would be nice to be able do everything from the Off2Class interface. Any ideas?
Regards,
James.
Kris Jagasia says:
January 6, 2017 at 6:55 pm
Hi James, thanks for the positive feedback. As we prepare for the full rollout this is extremely helpful for us.
Just to note, are you obtaining the full meeting URL from Zoom (i.e. not just the 9 digit meeting ID). When I copy my meeting invitation and paste it (from the Zoom desktop client this is what I get):
‘Hi there,
Kris Jagasia is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
‘Topic: Will – lessons
Time: this is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/509744561
Or iPhone one-tap (US Toll): +14086380968,509744562# or +16465588656,509744562#
Or Telephone:
Dial: +1 408 638 0968 (US Toll) or +1 646 558 8656 (US Toll)
Meeting ID: 509 744 562
International numbers available: https://zoom.us/zoomconference?m=zBNu_kP3acrdglmrP2aj5ma1f9N8F8s8‘
The portion that you’re going to want to copy and paste into your profile is: https://zoom.us/j/509744561
You can test this link on your desktop. Try clicking it from a Word document or notepad and it should activate your Zoom client and open up your meeting. If that is the case, then you’re good to go, paste the link into your profile.
Let me know how that goes.
Kris