Connecting in the Midst of Coronavirus, Part 3: Conducting Classes & Sessions

Part 3 of this series explores pre-recorded, real-time, and other types of virtual services. There are many options out there besides the ones featured here; these are just the ones that I have experience using.

Pre-Recorded Services

Pre-recorded videos of lessons or music experiences allow our student-clients to access services at a time that is convenient for them, with a limited amount of setup. This is a good option for student-clients who may be sharing devices with other family members, or who don't have a device with a camera or microphone. 

YouTube
YouTube is the simplest and most accessible platform for viewing. However, opportunities for student-clients to interact are limited.
          √ Free
          √ Allows for live-streaming

Interactions

• Student-clients primarily interact by leaving comments. This format  may be difficult for individuals who have difficulty with reading and writing, fine motor skills, or speech that is not recognized by speech-to-text software.

Security & Independence

• Student-clients do not need an account to view videos, but they do need an account to interact with each other.
• You can make your videos "unlisted" so that only your student-clients can view them.

​Facebook
Facebook is the most inclusive platform in terms of communication because it allows for multiple modes of interaction. However, student-clients need an account to participate. 
          √ Free
          √ Allows for live-streaming

Interactions

• ​Student-clients can interact by leaving comments or sharing photos/videos. 

Security & Independence

• Student-clients need an account to view videos and interact with each other. 
• You can create a private Facebook group for your student-clients.

​Flipgrid
A lesser-known platform, Flipgrid is a virtual classroom where you can create a "grid" or group and post videos. Flipgrid allows you to easily setup accounts for your student-clients. However, opportunities for student-clients to interact are limited. 
          √ Free
          X Does not allow for live-streaming

Interactions

• ​Student-clients primarily interact by sharing videos. This may be easier for student-clients who have difficulty with spelling and grammar, fine motor skills for typing, or speech that is not recognized by speech-to-text software. However, some student-clients may not have a camera, know how to use it, or feel comfortable sharing videos of themselves.

Security & Independence

• Student-clients do not have to create their own accounts. You can setup a login ID for each student. 

Real-Time Services*

*Well, sort of. You will experience some delay across all of these video-chat platforms. 
​
Real-time services allow us and our student-clients to respond to each other. Providing services at a specific times also helps to maintain a sense of structure and routine for all involved.

In order of my personal preference:
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GROUP CLASSES & SESSIONS
​
1) Zoom

• Security

You can protect your meeting with a password, limit screen sharing to the host (yourself), and screen incoming participants in a waiting room. 

• Independence

Zoom is challenging for many student-clients to use independently because they must join the meeting themselves. They will need to download the Zoom program (on a computer) or app (on a tablet/phone). They will have to either enter the meeting ID and password or click on a link every time that they join. 

• Cost

Zoom has free and paid tiers. The healthcare tier, at $200 per user per month, is HIPAA-compliant.

• Features

Zoom is not device-specific. It allows you to incorporate other visual and auditory media - you can share your screen, your audio, or even a digital whiteboard. For example, I can show song lyrics, recordings, and collaborative songwriting projects to my student-clients.  Zoom also has a dial-in option, at additional cost.

• Performance

For most activities, I have experienced a reasonable amount of audio and video delays when using Zoom with groups of up to 30 people, that only slightly affects the quality of my class or session. I do NOT recommend trying to stream a video (ex. from YouTube) to a device while simultaneously trying to share it over Zoom.

2) Google Meet

• Security

You can limit the meeting to those in your organization, or screen incoming participants. 

• Independence

Google Meet is challenging for many student-clients to use independently because they must join the meeting themselves. On computers, they can access the meeting directly from the Internet browser. On tablets or phones, they will need to download the Google Meet app, as well as a second app in order to see all of the participants. They will have to click on a link or dial a number every time that they join. 

• Cost

You can create a google meeting with a free gmail account or paid G-Suite account ($6-$25 per user per month). G-Suite accounts are HIPAA-compliant as long as you have signed the Business Associate Agreement (BAA).

• Features

Like Zoom, Google Meet is not device-specific, and allows for screen-sharing. Unlike Zoom, it does not have a built-in virtual whiteboard. It does have a dial-in option at no additional cost. 

• Performance

I have experienced a significant amount of audio and video delays when using Google Meet with groups of up to 10 people, that negatively affects the quality of the meeting. Typically, all of the participants' videos are frozen on my screen, except for the speaker. 

1:1 LESSONS & SESSIONS
​​
Most of these platforms also support groups, but I have only used them for 1:1 lessons and sessions.

1) FaceTime

Many of my student-clients are already used to using FaceTime and are able to use it independently. For student-clients who need more assistance, you can initiate the class by calling them instead of expecting them to input a password or click on a link. Of course, you and your student-client will need Apple devices to use Facetime.

FaceTime is my preferred platform at the moment for two reasons. 1) The video quality tends to be the best of all of these platforms.. 2) I can use a single device to video-chat with my students while simultaneously using my OnSong app for sheet music. All of these other platforms will cut my video feed if I open OnSong, and so I end up using my phone for video and my iPad for music.  

2) Facebook Messenger

This has been easy to use for student-clients with Facebook accounts. They can also communicate with me via text, photo, or video on there instead of contacting my personal phone.   

3) Skype

​The video frequently cuts out (or my student-clients accidentally turn it off) - more than any other platform that I'm using right now. Skype's only redeeming feature for me is the popularity of its chat feature among my students when they want to message me.

4) Google Duo

A few of my student-clients are using Google Duo. It is very easy to use because it's similar to using the phone app, where you can call someone or answer at the touch of a button. Unfortunately, you may find yourself accidentally recording (and sending) a message if you swipe the screen in the wrong direction. I have also experienced issues where Google Duo doesn't ring on my or my student-client's device.

Other

Some student-clients may not have the technology or assistance they need to participate. Others may not be interested in participating. For many families, this time is an opportunity to take a break from busy schedules and focus on spending time together. 

Here are some other ways that you can still reach out to these student-clients. 

Phone Calls

• Individual calls
• Conference calls with multiple student-clients (on an iPhone, press the "add" button after calling the first person)
• Services over the phone (this works better for some subjects than others)

Snail Mail 

• Activities/worksheets
• Letters
• Birthday cards
• Care packages (such as shakers, art supplies, books, or masks)