Focus student - a method to stay in contact while lecturing to black boxes

Other conference contribution, 2021

Summary:
I have successfully used a method I call “focus student” where I ask for a volunteer among students to keep their video on during an online lecture.
The problem:
When most or all students choose to attend online lectures with their own video turned off, a number of negative consequences can be noted, including:
* difficulty for the teacher to read facial reactions and see whether explanations are sufficient
* difficulty for the teacher to teach enthusiastically without seeing any students
The solution:
Explain to the student group how important it is to maintain contact, so that teaching can be both inspiring (for students and teachers alike) and adjusted to a suitable level.
Among other things (like encouraging questions and regularly checking understanding), do this:
* Ask for a volunteer student to be your “focus student” and keep their video on.
* Give plenty of appreciation for this volunteer, and promise to switch volunteers after break.
* Pin the video, in Zoom, of your focus student.
* Watch your focus student’s reactions while lecturing, and adapt your pace as you normally would do if you could be with your class in person.