Essential Teleconferencing Tips and Tricks for School-Based SLPs and Teachers

Teleconferencing Hacks and Tidbits

Teleconferencing has become a significant part of many educators' and therapists' lives. While it presents unique challenges, it also offers incredible flexibility. Here are some tips and tricks I've learned during my time providing full-time teletherapy services to school-aged children:

Invest in a Second Monitor

This is a game-changer! I use my laptop screen for the Zoom window, one side of the TV for displaying therapy materials (flashcards, videos, etc.), and the other side for my therapy portal (to track student goals and document sessions). I often have two windows that I screenshare, if I have a visual aid for the activity or am giving students choices between activities.  This also means you can keep your icons to a minimum on your tv desktop.

Read my post on Unlocking Language with Youtube for Youtube specific tips, such as Youtube settings and some invaluable playlists.  I also have a post Youtube in Therapy for Older Students.

You might need to adjust the TV height to prevent your laptop screen from blocking the view. Experiment with resolutions to find a comfortable balance between readability and screen real estate.

Prioritize Audio Quality

Invest in a good quality headset with a microphone. While your laptop's built-in microphone and speakers may suffice, higher-quality audio is crucial, especially for working on articulation skills with young children. Encourage students to use headphones with microphones as well, which can help minimize distractions and keep them engaged.

Embrace Ad Blockers

Online resources like YouTube are invaluable for therapy activities, but those pesky ads can be disruptive. I highly recommend using an ad blocker. 

I personally use the free browser "Brave," which effectively eliminates most ads, including those that appear within videos. It leaves a small white space where the ad would have been. As a bonus, using a dedicated browser for therapy helps keep your bookmarks organized and streamlined.

Turn Your Phone into a Document Camera

Many of us have accumulated a wealth of physical therapy materials over the years. Instead of letting them gather dust or (illegally) scanning them, repurpose them with a document camera. While there are some relatively inexpensive options out there, you can use your phone or another device to capture images or videos of your materials (a great use for those older, unused devices, just connect them to your wireless connection). 

There are numerous online tutorials available to guide you through the setup process, although most are from the COVID epidemic so the technology may have changed somewhat.  I found this one particularly helpful. This is especially beneficial for teaching students using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems.  You might even consider asking for the same setup on the other side!

Background Leverage

Don't just settle for a boring background! Get creative and use it as a teaching tool. You could use an underwater scene for a unit on ocean life, a construction scene for construction vocabulary.  Maybe you post a timeline for the session, or another visual aid.  

FYI - if you have your video mirrored (most of us do), it will appear backwards in your video view, but the right way on your students' view.

I incorporate a "Pun of the Day" with a themed visual background to encourage flexible language use and explore multiple meanings of words, not to mention starting therapy off with a smile!  *whisper* I have a 56 pages of puns (21 pages of holiday-themed) in my TPT store - It's So Punny!

Disable Noise Reduction

Noise reduction features are often enabled by default in conferencing apps and computer settings. However, these algorithms can inadvertently cut off crucial sounds, such as the beginnings and ends of words, particularly fricatives like /s/. This can be incredibly frustrating when working on specific speech sounds. Ensure noise reduction is disabled on both your device and the student's device.

Maximize Your Mouse Pointer

Enlarging your mouse pointer makes it easier to locate on the larger screen and improves its effectiveness for pointing out items to students.

Master Conferencing Tools

Explore and utilize the built-in tools within your chosen conferencing platform (Zoom, Google Meet, etc.). The whiteboard function is excellent for quick demonstrations and brainstorming, and many students prefer drawing on it to playing online games. The annotation feature allows you to draw or type directly onto any screen-shared content.

Lighting

You want good lighting so students can see your face well.  The room I use as my office is rather dark.  I've tried ring lights, and lamps, but they produce strong shadows unless they are low enough that I can't really tell a difference in my camera, and even then they are rather blinding.  I've even tried facing them away from me, toward the wall behind the big screen.  The best solution I've found is dispersed light with multiple sources, pointing up or toward a wall, and thoroughly checking the video settings in both my computer and Zoom.  I'll update with any other options!

Understand Your Students' Setups

Before the initial therapy session, have a brief conversation with the student or their caregiver to understand their technology setup.

• Device: Are they using a laptop, tablet, or *shudder* a phone? The size of your share screen will differ according to the size of their device, so consider adjusting your materials accordingly.
• Input Methods: Do they have touch screen, trackpad, or mouse control? How comfortable are they with their chosen input method?
• Conferencing App Configuration: How is the conferencing app configured (e.g., speaker view, gallery view)? Will you be sharing your screen during the session?
• Environment: Are they in a shared space, and if so, what steps can be taken to minimize distractions (e.g., headphones, quiet corner, clear communication with other household members)?
• Internet Connectivity: Briefly inquire about their internet connection to anticipate potential connectivity issues. For example, if they have a slower connection, you may want to consider activities with a lower bandwidth demand, such as games or activities that don't rely heavily on video.
• Support System:
  • Adult Supervision: For safety reasons, it's crucial to ensure that an adult is always present and supervising the child during teleconferencing sessions.
  • Behavior Support: Do they have any behavior support available during sessions (e.g., a parent, teacher, or paraprofessional)?
  • Technical Support: Do they have access to any technical support (e.g., a parent, teacher, or school IT support) if they encounter difficulties?

By gathering this information beforehand, you can proactively address potential challenges and ensure a smoother and more effective teletherapy session for both you and your student.

Consider sharing control

Kids are way more into therapy when they feel like they have some control. Sharing your screen can be a game-changer! Let them explore interactive websites, pick their own activities, or even guide the presentation. It makes things more fun and helps them feel like they're in charge (in a good way!).

Keep in mind that when a student has control of the mouse, it prevents you from using it for other things like entering therapy notes or navigating to other resources.  Having them play a game while you enter notes sounds like a great idea, but I haven't found a way to split control.

Sometimes you might need to gently remind them to let you take back the mouse, but usually, it's worth it for the extra engagement and motivation.

Health & Wellness

Teletherapy can present unique ergonomic challenges. Since you're likely sitting in front of your computer for extended periods, prioritizing your health and wellness is crucial.

Ergonomics:

• Chair and Desk Height: Ensure your chair and desk are at the correct height to maintain proper posture. Your feet should be flat on the floor, and your forearms should be parallel to the ground when typing.  You might find a footrest useful.
• Mouse and Keyboard Positioning: Position your keyboard and mouse close to your body to minimize reaching and maintain a neutral wrist position. Consider using a wrist rest for added support.
• Camera Positioning: Position your camera at eye level to maintain natural eye contact with your students.  Keep your conference video at eye level to increase eye contact.

Minimize Eye Strain:

• Blue Light Filter: Use a blue light filter on your computer screen to reduce eye strain. This can be done through your computer's display settings or by using a dedicated software application.
• 20-20-20 Rule: Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Incorporate Movement: 

Schedule regular movement breaks throughout your workday. Stand up, stretch, walk around, or do some simple exercises.

Stay Hydrated: 

Keep a water bottle nearby and sip water throughout the day to stay hydrated.

Set Boundaries:  

Establish clear boundaries between work and personal time.  When you're not working, disconnect from technology and engage in activities that you enjoy.

By prioritizing your own health and wellness, you'll be better equipped to provide high-quality teletherapy services to your students and avoid burnout.

Collaborate and Share

Teletherapy presents unique challenges, but it also offers opportunities for collaboration and shared learning. Connect with other educators and therapists online to exchange tips, share resources, and support one another.

By incorporating these strategies into your teletherapy practice, you can create engaging and effective learning experiences for your students, even from a distance.

I'd love to hear about your own teletherapy tips and tricks! Please share your insights in the comments below.

Happy conferencing!

Mrs. Speech