Tips for improving your home internet connection

 Here are some tips for improving and diagnosing your home internet connection.  

1. Restart your device.
   This can resolve problems with Zoom video and audio problems, software programs that are not working correctly, internet and bluetooth connection issues, and speed up your computer.
   By restarting your computer, you clear out temporary and unimportant data that may be bogging down memory.
   
   
2. What else is using your Wifi?
   Are there other devices on your wifi using your internet bandwidth?  Is someone streaming video (YouTube, Netflix, etc.)?  Do you have a bunch of smart devices around the house?
   You have a limited amount of bandwidth and these other devices may be using up your limited capacity.  Therefore, limit streaming while you are working.
   
   
3. Move closer to your Wifi Router.
   You will get the best internet speed the closer you are to your Wifi Router.  Additionally, if your router is in your closet or in a cabinet, it's time to move it out.  The more central and prominent the better.  Walls can limit the Wifi signal.
   
   
4. Use an Ethernet Cable.
   A wired connection is faster and more stable than a wireless connection.  If your work station is located close to your router, consider plugging it in.  Your internet performance is sure to improve.
   
   
5. What's the frequency, Kenneth?
   Most routers use dual band technology.  This means that the broadcast at both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.  If your router allows you to, you may be able to prioritze one or the other for your devices.  2.4 GHz has longer range, but is a slower connection.  Conversely, 5 GHz is a faster connection but has a shorter range.
   So, if you are close to your router, choose the 5 GHz.  If you are on the other side of the house, choose the 2.4 GHz.
   Did you get the reference to the REM 1994 song?
   
   
6. Reboot your Router/Modem.
   Most router/modem from your cable company is one unit.  It is usually a black box with lots of lights on it and the coaxial cable plugs into it.  Unplug the unit's power cable and wait 15 seconds.  Then plug the unit back in and try your Internet again in about a minute.
7. Do you have a password on your Wifi?
   This is so important for keeping hackers away and so that your neighbors aren't sharing your signal and slowing you down.  AES encryption is the most secure and speed friendly security option.
   
   
8. Run a speed test at https://www.speedtest.net/ 
   Download speeds of less than 5Mbps are going to present some challenges (upload speeds are less of an issue).  Try running the speed tests in various locations in your home to find the optimal location.
   
   
9. If none of these solve your Internet issue, you should call Internet Service Provider.
   Internet Service Provider Troubleshooting pages: Spectrum Comcast SELCO RCN Verizon

This is a modified version of advice from the Worcester Public Schools IT department (Thank you!).  Additional information from Wired Magazine.

Zoom: Lock your classroom

Did you know that you can lock your Zoom classroom just as you close your door after class has begun?  

Once your classroom is locked, no one else will be allowed to join.  This simple step can help you to secure your virtual classroom.

1. Select the Participants list in the navigation bar. 
2. Click More 
3. Choose Lock Meeting

Using your projector in Zoom

Want to use your projector screen in Zoom?

If you have a projector in your room, you can switch the projection mode to Extend instead of Duplicate using [Windows key] + [P] and the computer will treat the projector as a second screen. 

Next, in your Zoom settings, select "Use dual monitors" from the General tab. 

When you start your next meeting, you will have two Zoom windows - one in each screen. 

When you share your screen, choose Screen 1 and the projector will have the gallery view with your students!

Can't find your cursor?

NOTE: If your mouse pointer gets stuck on the projector screen, move your mouse through the left edge of the screen. The computer treats the projector screen as if it is to the right of the laptop screen.

Thanks for the tip, Phil!

Aspen Virtual Attendance

The functionality to take attendance for your virtual classes is now available in Aspen.  

When you take attendance you will now see two additional options,

• V for Virtual Present
• VA for Virtual Absent

New Zoom

Features of the Upgraded Zoom

• Participant capacity: 300

• Reports - Attendance record of your meeting

• Record is available about ½ hr. after the end of the meeting

• Located on your home page

• Information:

• Attendee by timestamp (Names are recorded as the name the participant uses)

• Number of minutes recorded of each participant in the meeting.

• Download to an Excel spreadsheet.

• Poll reports

• Polling tool (must be enabled in settings)

• Co-host (must be enabled in settings)

• Screen sharing - upgrade allows you to share a portion of your screen represented by a green border.

Check your Settings

• Break-out rooms, Co-host and Polling must be enabled in order to see them when you have a meeting.
• Waiting Room - enable
• Chat - enable
• Chats can be saved.
• Info about in meeting chats - allowing to whom a participant may communicate in chat
• Co-host - enable
  
• Allow the host to add co-hosts. Co-hosts have the same in-meeting controls as the host.
  
• Do this in your settings before the zoom session.
• Polling -  Add 'Polls' to the meeting controls. This allows the host to survey the attendees.
• Screen Sharing - Decide who will be allowed to share.
  In meeting share info; 7 Screen Share Tips video
• Break-out Rooms - enable (must be done  before your meeting to see his in your controls)

Resources

• Tips and Tricks: Teachers Educating on Zoom
• Security Toolbar
• 7 Screen Share Tips video

Printing Teacher Schedules in Aspen

If you prefer to view your schedule in the Matrix view but have difficulty printing it out, I have a solution.  Try the GoFullPage extension in the Chrome Extension Store.

This extension captures a screenshot of the entire page and then allows you to save the screenshot as a PDF file which you can easily print out.