Now for iPad and iPhone. Go to LAUSD's App Catalog or Apple's App Store.
Why Tables?
The safe alternative to breakout roooms.
Students collaborate during class while remaining fully supervised.
Integrates TAs, RSPs, and co-teachers seamlessly.
Has screen sharing, hand raising, and flexible teacher controls.
Works well for limited student devices, e.g. Chromebooks and iPads.
Quick Start
Go into a SKIES course, and press the Waffle button.
Make some Tables, then turn on your camera and microphone.
When students go into your course, they will show up in the Waiting Room.
When you see your students, click on them, and place them at your Tables in groups of 2-4.
Making the Transition
Independent pre-lesson. Click https://skieslearn.com/go/1ordqba to get a Tables pre-lesson. Make sure ALL of your students are able to post a video of themselves onto SKIES.
Help during asynchronous time. Keep Tables open and listen for raised hands. When a student raises their hand, place them at the front of the room so you can answer their question.
Groupwork during asynchronous time. Place students into small groups so they can work together. You can supervise all groups at once, and visit them at their tables.
Transition to full use of Tables. Try using SKIES for whole-group synchronous instruction, as a replacement for Zoom or Google Meet.
Internet Requirements
Teacher viewing 25 students, and sharing camera and screen: 12 mbps down, 3.5 mpbs up.
Student with 3 tablemates, and 4 people in front: 5 mbps down, 0.5 mpbs up.
Student viewing 2 people in front only: 1 mbps down, 0.5 mpbs up.
Typical residential WiFi is 30-200 mpbs down, and 5-10 mpbs up, and will work for teachers and students.
LAUSD hotspot is 0.9 mbps down, 0.4 mpbs up, and will handle only the simplest student use case.
Computer Requirements
Teacher viewing 25 students, and sharing camera and screen: requires a laptop or an iPad Pro. A Chromebook or regular iPad will not be sufficient.
Student with 3 tablemates, and 4 people in front: Chromebook, iPad, iPad Pro, or laptop.
Student viewing 2 people in front only: Chromebook, iPad, iPad Pro, or laptop.
Troubleshooting
No waffle button. Make sure you and your courses are licensed (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suy_I1vYCT8). Ask a colleague to license you, or email us at help@skieslearn.com.
Camera or microphone doesn't work. On laptops and Chromebooks, there is a lock to the left of the web address (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6rvyDTegXc). Click it and make sure you've turned Camera and Microphone permissions on. For iPads, make sure permissions are enabled in Settings.
Camera or microphone still doesn't work. On Mac laptops, click Settings ... Security and Privacy .. Privacy (tab). Make sure Google Chrome has Camera and Microphone permissions enabled.
Camera or microphone still doesn't work. Make sure you are fully logged off Zoom, Google Meet, or any other videoconferencing software.
Camera or microphone still doesn't work. Make sure you are using SKIES outside of a Schoology frame (click the "Full Screen" button on the upper-right corner)
Camera or microphone still doesn't work. On laptops and Chromebooks, make sure you are using Chrome and that it is at least version 84. On iPads, make sure you are using iOS 11 and above.
There is echoing or feedback. Make sure you are fully logged off Zoom, Google Meet, or any other videoconferencing software.
Student appears multiple times. Make sure they only have one tab open, and are using SKIES outside of a Schoology frame.
Student is in waiting room, but invisible to teacher. Press SHIFT + Refresh on your web browser, and have the student do the same.
Students drop out of their Tables. On iPads, make sure they are keeping SKIES open, and not taking photos or recording sounds. Also make sure you are putting them next to someone they get along with.