Virtual Professional Learning sessions with Stile are held using video conferencing software. You’ll often need to follow along with your presenter in Stile at the same time.
Stile PL is currently run using Zoom video conferencing software. To participate, you will need:
- a stable internet connection;
- headphones or speakers;
- a microphone (this can be attached to your headphones or computer);
- a webcam.
Click to jump to the relevant tips for preparing and participating in your session:
- Optimize your Zoom settings;
- Preparation for attending individually;
- Preparation for attending as a group;
- Join the Class and participate in the PL.
Optimize your Zoom settings
By default, Zoom is set to automatically enter fullscreen mode when someone shares their computer screen. This can interfere with the splitscreen setup we recommend below. Follow the steps in this tutorial to ensure that this setting is disabled for you.
Preparation for attending individually
We recommend you have headphones with a microphone connected to your computer for the session instead of speakers.
You'll need to have your Zoom window open, and then log into Stile in a separate browser window to follow along at the same time. If you only have 1 screen, then we recommend that you resize each window so you can see both simultaneously and move between the two.
The video loop below shows you how to do this:
Use one window to log in to Stileapp.com, and use the other to open the video conference.
Once you've entered the Zoom session, make sure your name is accurate so the presenters know who you are! Click on the Participants button at the top of the Zoom window to reveal the Participants list. Hover your mouse over your name to reveal more options, and select Rename. Type in your name as you would like it to appear to everyone and then click OK.
Preparation for attending as a group
Connect a single computer to your projector and ensure your sound is ready to go so you can hear your presenter. Use this to connect to the video conference. Each person attending the PL should have a laptop so you can log in to Stileapp.com and follow along.
Once you've entered the Zoom session with the projected computer, make sure your group's name is accurate so the presenters know who you are! Click on the Participants button at the top of the Zoom window to reveal the Participants list. Hover your mouse over your name to reveal more options, and select Rename. Type in your name as you would like it to appear to everyone (e.g. "Glennridge Teachers" or "Casey, Alex, and Jules") and then click OK.
Note: Keep in mind that your presenter may not be able to hear all of you, depending on how far away you are from the projecting computer's microphone. It’s helpful if you point the webcam at the whole group so your presenter can see you all.
Join the Class and participate in the PL
Sometimes your presenter will ask you to join a Stile Lesson as a student. This allows you to see the teacher experience on the presenter's screen, and it also allows you to actively participate in the session and understand what your students will experience.
Note: Use your normal Stile account to join the Class. You will only be a student in this Class, and you'll still have full teaching rights in your own school!
Often as teachers, we ask our students to use the class code but haven’t used it ourselves.
Log in to Stileapp.com as you normally would, and get the class code for the session from your presenter. Below the list of Subjects on your Stile home page, click on I have a class code. Enter the code in the text box that appears (it will say "Six letter class code" before you start typing) and then click the blue Join subject button next to the text box. A message will pop up to confirm that you've successfully joined the Class. Click the blue Take me there button to go to the new Subject.
Once your session has ended, you can return to your own teaching Subjects by switching schools.
You may also be interested in the following resources: