Creating a Class Conference

Modified on Wed, 31 Jan at 4:20 PM

How to share your lab image and audio during a class session.

When delivering an instructor-led class, instructors normally need to share their active lab image and their audio. Enabling an in-class conference can be accomplished using either the OrasiLabs embedded conferencing feature or 3rd party conferencing tools (like Zoom or Teams). This conference then allows the students to see and hear what the instructor is doing.

Enabling a Class Conference

To enable the class conference, use either the Add Class Wizard or Edit Class to select the appropriate conferencing option. There are 3 possible options:

Integrated - OrasiLabs will handle all screen sharing and audio functions directly from the digital classroom. Instructors and students will be provided additional features to enable/view screen sharing and mute/unmute their audio.
External - A 3rd party conferencing tool will be integrated with OrasiLabs. In this case, the corresponding URL generated by the 3rd party conferencing tool should be copied into the invitation details. The URL will be displayed to students who will use the link to open the associated online meeting.
None - No class conference is necessary (e.g., for in-person classes) or the conferencing is being handled completely outside of OrasiLabs.

Starting an OrasiLabs Class Conference

For classes where OrasiLabs will provide integrated conferencing, all conferencing options are available directly from the digital classroom. Once the instructor starts the active class session (with Begin Session), additional Conferencing options will appear. In addition, a banner reminding the instructor to join the conference will display.

Students can login to the class but will be unable to join the class until the instructor selects Join Conference to start the in-class conference. If there are multiple instructors, the first instructor to Join Conference will start it for the whole class.

Starting the Instructor Broadcast

Once the conference is started, the instructor can choose Start Sharing to broadcast content to the students. When prompted, they can choose to share their entire screen, just one window from their local machine, or just one tab from the current browser. If the instructor has multiple monitors, screens and windows from all monitors are available to share.

NOTE: A common technique is for the instructor to open their My Labs using the Open In New Tab option and then to share only the My Labs browser tab. This allows the instructor to broadcast their lab image without exposing any other work they might do while teaching the class (e.g., watch student labs).

NOTE: Once the instructor joins the conference, the instructor Control Panel will show additional options to manage the conference, including mute/unmute audio, start/stop sharing, and mute/unmute participants. For more detail about the instructor Control Panel, see the article Using the Instructor Control Panel.

Joining Students to the Conference

Once the instructor has started the conference (see above), students will also see an additional option to Join Conference. When a student joins the conference, they will immediately begin seeing and hearing the instructor broadcast. Students can also mute/unmute themselves so they can talk to the instructor.

For more information about the student options for joining the conference, please see the article Joining a Class Conference as a Student.

Where to go next...

Editing a Class
Delivering an Instructor Led Class

Using the Instructor Control Panel

Joining a Class Conference as a Student