Live streaming may be one of the more effective ways to engage your students in the learning process.

The concept of live streaming has generated immense popularity on social media platforms. If you’ve recorded or watched a live vlog, then already you’ve been part of live streaming. Maybe you’ve engaged with live streaming by marking your emotional response with a thumbs-up or a heart, and you may have even made comments in the feed.

Your student should have similar experiences with your classroom content.

Make live streaming part of the instructional process

Live stream your lessons with “breaking information” students need for class. For example, if you’re conducting a science lab at home or grading essays and want to teach a mini-lesson on split infinitives, live streaming gives you the opportunities to reach out with immediacy. In essence, this tech technique allows you to flip instruction because your students will watch your video outside the classroom. Doing so gives you more instructional time the following day in class.

To use live streaming in your classroom, you’ll need a few tools like these:

·       Get the right equipment. You’ve got to have a camera and a microphone. The whole purpose of live streaming is to share video. The microphone ensures that your sound quality will be clear

·       Enlist an encoder. The cost of an encoder can seem prohibitive unless your school’s library has one available for check out. It’s a recommended device because the encoder assures that your live stream will be available to your audience regardless of the device they use for accessing digital content.

·       Securing a stable internet connection. Your WiFi connection is what makes live streaming live. A robust connection prevents video and sound quality issues, and it also allows for interactive comments.

·       Develop your content.  Some teachers are tremendous impromptu speakers. The rest of us have to figure out what we want to say and how to say it. Select your topic and identify the gist of your intended live stream. It’s not necessary to write out and memorize your broadcast, but you should know your beginning, middle, and end.

You can still live stream without all the fancy equipment. Use your classroom Facebook page to stream video to your students.

Let your students live stream

Live-streaming isn’t just for teachers.

Let your students demonstrate their understanding of concepts by live streaming, too. Live video blogs combine hands-on experience and learning to produce authentic communication, and student-led digital broadcasts can summarize lessons or reteach concepts to peers. Teachers can evaluate speaking and listening skills.

If you’re still hesitant about letting your students use live-streaming in the classroom, consider the ways in which technology encourages confidence in your students. Learners find that they can apply prior learning during live streaming events, and often, they’re able to make connections beyond the classroom. In addition, your students will have the benefit of working at their own pace. You may want you students to practice first, and then let each student  “go live” when ready.

Live streaming for classroom instruction amplifies learning opportunities for your students.