Online Class Setup Ideas

If you’re new to the online teaching world, you might be a bit anxious or even downright bewildered at how to set up a virtual classroom outside of a brick-and-mortar classroom. Fortunately, we’re here to walk you through the steps of creating a functional online class setup at home, and we’ll share some handy tips and tricks along the way. Let’s dive in!

How do I set up an online class?

Get your home workspace ready

First thing first — you’ve got to create your classroom. You need a designated room in which to teach, just as you would in a traditional on-campus environment. Pick a part of your house that’s quiet and far from busy areas. Ensure it can lock so that family members, pets, or housemates don’t disturb you while you’re teaching.

Next, fill it with all the teaching materials (whiteboard, pens, posters etc.) you’ll need so that you don’t have to leave the room in the middle of a class. Finally, check the room’s acoustics and lighting to determine whether learners will be able to see and hear you properly.

Use proper online teaching equipment

In terms of your online class setup equipment, you’ll require a computer and a laptop stand on which to place it so that you’re at eye level. Ideally, you want one that has a built-in webcam, microphone, and meeting recording functionality. Alternatively, you can incorporate a camera, audio headset, and handheld recorder in your tech infrastructure to cover your audiovisual and recording needs.

You also need to make sure your internet connection is stable and fast enough to support live streaming if you’ll be teaching live classes. Keep in mind that everyone’s cameras will need to be on, which puts strain on a connection. Have a backup internet source like an ethernet cable or data dongle if your Wi-Fi fails.

Set classroom rules and expectations

Explain to students that although classes aren’t in person, they’ll still be expected to follow normal classroom etiquette: That means putting phones and other distractions away, focusing on who’s speaking, raising their hand (some virtual meeting programs have a button to do this) if they’d like to say something or ask a question, and taking notes. Decide whether learners need to turn on their cameras and mute themselves when they’re not speaking.

It’s also helpful to establish a kind of formula for the class so everyone knows what to expect. Clearly outline the class’s structure and what you require from students. Adhering to routines like this helps learners focus and prepare for class. Ask your students to set and communicate weekly and monthly goals.

Adapt your lesson plan for an online environment

Although online classes can and do closely mimic in-person classes in many ways, there are, of course, numerous differences to take into account, and you must change your teaching methods and plans accordingly when creating a virtual classroom. For example, you won’t be able to hand out worksheets, so make sure such materials are scanned and uploaded to the learning platform you use ahead of time.

If you teach a subject that requires practical learning and assessment (such as Biology or Chemistry), ensure your students have access to all the necessary materials and kits they’ll need to follow demonstrations at home or arrange for them to meet at a campus to get that hands-on experience in person.

Set a class schedule

If you’re live streaming your classes, you need to create a timetable like you would in a traditional schooling environment. If multiple educators teach your set of students, coordinate with them to ensure that class times don’t clash. Once you’ve got your schedule ready, email it to learners and make it available on the learning platform you use (more on that in a bit).

Make use of an online teaching platform

Of course, you can use email to send learning resources and exam and test question papers to students, and they can use it to submit assignments and answer papers. You could also use virtual meeting programs like Lessonspace, Zoom or Microsoft Teams to hold your classes.

But, these become tedious when you’re working with multiple students and classes. Instead, utilize an online teaching and learning platform like Moodle. They allow you to host lessons and enable learners to join them easily, and classes can be recorded and uploaded to the platform, too. They also give you the ability to share resources and communicate with students easily.

Conduct a demo class

It should go without saying, but here’s a quick reminder that it’s essential to test your technology stack before you live stream your first class. Run a test trial to determine if the sound and display are clear enough, whether the class can record properly, and if the recording can be uploaded to the learning platform correctly. The last thing you want is to be ready and raring to go, only to be thwarted by a technical error!

Use communication and feedback tools

Although you’re separated from your learners by physical distance, you still need to be able to stay in touch and communicate with them. Most (if not all) online learning platforms have a chat, discussion panel, or instant messaging functionality you can use to facilitate Q&A sessions and assist students with any problems they might be encountering.

You can also use online surveys now and then to ask learners about any specific needs they may have and what parts of the classroom or lesson plan could do with an update. Email is a great tried and tested communication resource, too!

Use automated assessment tools

Time is of the essence when you’re juggling many learners and classes, so turn to technology for a helping hand when setting up a virtual classroom. Plenty of online learning platforms allow you to set tests and quizzes with predetermined answers (particularly multiple-choice questions) against which learners’ responses are automatically marked and graded as they respond to questions.

A class management platform such as Classcard can help you handle scheduling, booking, attendance, payment tracking, grading, and communication—all in one place. Automating these administrative tasks improves accuracy and frees up valuable time to focus on students and business growth.

Final thoughts

Modifying your teaching content and classroom to create a virtual class setup at home can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Just ensure that you carve out a suitable teaching space, gather and test all your teaching equipment and materials, set class rules and expectations, make your lesson plans and assessments online-friendly, stay in regular communication with your students, and use an online learning platform to facilitate most of the steps above!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I set up an online class?

Create a designated space to use as your “classroom,” and invest in a computer with audiovisual capabilities. Then, subscribe to an online learning platform such as Lessonspace that both you and your students can use to attend classes, submit assignments, upload resources, and communicate.

What is the best setup for online teaching?

You don’t need the latest state-of-the-art tech, but you must have a computer, camera, microphone, recording equipment, and internet connection that can function adequately. If you’re unsure whether your equipment is up to the task, test it multiple times before your first class.

What equipment is needed for a virtual classroom?

You’ll require a computer or digital tablet, as well as a stand on which to place the device. If your device doesn’t have audiovisual and recording functionalities built-in, you must get a camera (that can record) and a microphone, and hook these up to your computer.

How do I create an online class for free?

There are multiple course creation tools and builders available on the internet, many of which allow you to create online lessons with no payment required. Thinkific is a great option for people who are new to creating online class content.