Bandwidth
As the number of participants increases, so too does the bandwidth required. This can lead to choppy audio, video cutting in and out, even dropped connections. These issues compound as more users connect.
Bandwidth is also reliant on the user's connection. Slow internet could prevent a user from being able to join the live session.
Compression happens in real time on each individual's connection. Even though everyone else may not be experiencing any issues, a slow connection may cause audio/video to cut out for a single user
Audio
Audio is "one-way", meaning a participant cannot hear their own audio. This can cause situations where a single user can inject a lot of background noise that all users can hear if not muted. The user will not be aware of this unless told.
Quality differences in group discussions can also be a very distracting, even hindering factor in communication
Video
Live video uses a large amount of bandwidth for both the host and end user.
Due to live compression algorithms, screen sharing uses significantly less bandwidth, but can still be taxing on slower internet connections.
User Limitations
Our Pro Licenses are limited to 300 users in one meeting and may pose issues for large sessions.
Moderating
For large meetings, simply moderating the chat can be hectic, much less while trying to teach a lesson. It is easy to miss a student's question or need for assistance. Having to interrupt lessons to direct someone to mute their audio is burdensome and time consuming.
Only share audio - do NOT stream video and disable video for all participants
Screen-sharing may be used when beneficial, but disable once it hinders audio performance
Begin the meeting with Participant audio set to "off"
Have a Co-Host
Co-Hosts can be designated once your meeting has started. They will have the ability to mute/unmute participants for you and even disable video
a Co-Host can monitor the chat which students can use to communicate questions, need for assistance, and inquire about technical issues. A Co-Host can alleviate some of the distraction and burden by communicating through the chat and not interrupting the main lecture or conversation
Train students to only unmute their microphones when speaking, then mute directly after
Train students to use the "raise hand" button that is available to them on screen
Only use live sessions when necessary
Beneficial examples of live session usage
Q&A Sessions
Small group projects / breakout sessions
Exam reviews
Problem solving
Open Zoom and Schedule a New Meeting
Input the name of your meeting and appropriate schedule information
Under the "Video" section, next both Host and Participant, select "off"
Audio can be left at the default of "Telephone and Computer Audio"
Under "Meeting Options" let's enable the following by checking the box:
Enable join before host
Mute participants upon entry