by Kindy Segovia
Assistive Technology Coordinator at Kent ISD, Grand Rapids, MI
Kindy Segovia
Here are some helpful tips and features for virtual instruction when using Google Meet:
- Record the class or meeting for students who attend asynchronously.
- Use the same Google Meet link each time. Share the link in Google Classroom, in your classroom website, or through email/text meetings.
Changing or blurring your background
You might not always want your students to see your background. Google Meet allows you to change your background, from a number of pre-loaded images such as office spaces, landscapes, abstract designs, and more. Click the 3 dots in the lower right corner of the screen, then choose “Change Background.”
Adding or creating a jamboard (interactive whiteboard)
- Click the 3 dots in the lower right corner, then choose “Whiteboard.”
- Start a new jamboard or choose one already created in your Google Drive.
- When the Jamboard opens, change the sharing settings to “Anyone with the link can EDIT”. The Jamboard will be a floating window, with the link automatically shared in the Chat, for your students to open and access.
- To screenshare the Jamboard, use the “Present your screen” and choose “Window”, selecting the Jamboard floating window. The Jamboard will automatically be saved to your Google Drive.
Remind students about Closed Captions
Tell your students about the “Turn on Captions” feature on the bottom bar.
Mute and unmute a student’s microphone
Select the “People” tab near the upper right, click on the 3 dots or arrow next to a student’s name and click the microphone button.
Change video resolution
To maximize video resolution, select Settings > Video > Send Resolution > then change to High definition.
Change host controls
To change Host Controls such as whether people can join without asking, if people can join anonymously, if non-hosts can share their screens or if all participants can send chat messages, select Settings > Host Controls and see the related options.
Kindy Segovia, OTR, is currently the Assistive Technology Coordinator at Kent Intermediate School District, Grand Rapids, Mich. She has worked as an occupational therapist in both schools and pediatric rehabilitation for over 25 years. She has provided educational training for teachers, parents and administrators over the past 15 years with a focus on adapting curriculum, classroom accommodations, and integrating technology into instruction. She is also an adjunct professor at Grand Valley State University. Find out more from Kindy at kindysegovia.com.