Teaching Effectively with Zoom: A practical guide to engage your students and help them learn

by Dan Levy

In early 2020, because of COVID-19, many colleges and schools around the world closed, and many teachers, instructors, and faculty members had to learn how to teach online in a hurry. This book takes a step back, and focuses on helping educators teach effective live online sessions with Zoom. Dan Levy offers practical pedagogical advice for educators on questions such •Why and how to use breakout rooms?•Should you use chat, and if so, how?•How do you build community in a virtual classroom?The book is based on the author’s experience teaching online, observations of several colleagues teaching online at Harvard University, research-based principles of effective teaching and learning, and, perhaps just as importantly, interviews with dozens of students who recently experienced online learning for the first time and also had to adapt to this way of learning in a hurry.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction

212 pages, Paperback

Published July 15, 2020

Reviews

[Danica S · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read if you are teaching with Zoom! Chock full of useful tips for keeping your students engaged and helping them learn. Great examples that seem easy to implement across different course types. This book drastically reduced my anxiety about online teaching!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really helpful and practical guide to teaching well online with Zoom. If you are new to thinking strategically about pedagogy or new to teaching online, this book is full of valuable insights and strategies. If you're old to both, it is a little less useful but still helpful for being intentional about your plans.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book lives up to its name. It's a thoughtful and practical look at how to make the transition from in-person classes to engaging virtual offerings.

I appreciate that Dan Levy provided a multitude of case studies. In addition to drawing from his own well of experience, he shared examples of innovative ways that other experienced educators are making effective use of Zoom in the virtual classroom.

I've been teaching using Zoom since 2013 and found what was presented in this book was very affirming. Teaching Effectively with Zoom has also sparked some new ideas that will help me make my virtual offerings even more engaging.

I recommend reading this book if you teach anything on Zoom. While it's focused on teaching, much of the wisdom that Dan shares could also be applied to other types of Zoom meetings.

[Bex · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're new to teaching with Zoom or just want to improve your technique, I highly recommend this book. It is practical, engaging, and to the point. I love that the author is student centered and really emphasizes the importance of learner engagement throughout. My copy is covered in post-its, and the companion website is an excellent supplement. Unlike the author, I teach English to non-native speakers in an adult basic education program. The context is very different, but the techniques are easily transferable. I recommend this for teachers at all levels.

[Steve Bullington · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are like me you never expected to be teaching in a digital classroom in 2020. Our program was never designed to be delivered virtually and we've had to learn as we've gone along what works and what doesn't.

This week I read a GREAT book for those of us developing our virtual teaching skills Teaching Effectively with Zoom by Dan Levy. Dan is a faculty member at Harvard University in the Kennedy School and he very quickly created a tremendous resource for those of us teaching online.

While it is written specifically for using Zoom as your video platform, most of the tools and techniques could be translated to the video platform you may be using.

Dan provides specific, actionable techniques for the technology, for engaging your students and for crafting your content. Throughout the book, he provides checklists so you can prepare for your upcoming class. The other powerful tool he uses is a website where he provides up to date information and tools so the book doesn't go out of date.

If you are working to be the best possible instructor, this book needs to be by your side.

[Heidi Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I wish I had finished this book earlier in the school year, finishing the book now on Christmas break reinforced my good Zoom-teaching habits and reminded me of others I should try. Some key takeaways: teaching online is a loss compared to teaching in person, but there is a lot about the online setting that we can maximize; plan intentionally and meticulously for active student engagement; leverage asynchronous learning and assessment for engaging synchronous learning; and the ever most important thing: build relationships and community. This is essential reading for anyone teaching via Zoom—whether for larger pedagogical insights or for more specific tech tips (Using a second monitor? White boarding? How to launch a poll?). And I f as a teacher you know anyone who questions what the workload and learning curve been like in the last year, show them this book for its treatment of the expertise, skill, number of decisions, practice, re-calibration, intentionality, heart, and TIME needed to design effective distance and hybrid learning.

[Paula Boyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have to teach remotely and are planning to use Zoom as your major platform, this is a great book to read to help you prepare. I have had several experiences using Zoom and was somewhat familiar with the basic features, so I was able to clearly understand what the author was recommending. There are many very cool ideas for how to use these features to teach a more interesting, productive class. I am getting ready to implement some of them soon.
I would reiterate one bit of advice that this author emphasizes: Don't try to do too much all at once with technology. Start small and practice until you feel comfortable, then add another small change. This book was fun and easy to read. I learned a lot of new ideas.

[Stan Skrabut · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading half of it, I strongly encouraged faculty who will be teaching with Zoom to pick it up. What is the book you may ask? It is Dan Levy’s Teaching Effectively with Zoom: A practical guide to engage your students and help them learn . I think it is another one of those useful books that faculty should read. Read more

[RODOLFO HOLLANDER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buena guía para usar ZOOM

Lectura amena, muy fácil de entender. Explica los "trucos" mas útiles para usar en clase. Realmente una gran ayuda para quien comienza o va a dar clases con ZOOM

[Hilary Ryder · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you've never taught on zoom before, this book will be invaluable. We've been doing hy-flex for 6 months now and I was looking for some advanced level tips and tricks for how to increase engagement... am still looking.

[Zack McCullough · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some good tips for those teaching on Zoom as well as some helpful advice on general ways to improve teaching. Somewhat repetitive here and there, but some may not read it all the way through or may only read certain chapters. It's worthwhile.

[Tfalcone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super helpful!

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Stars = a fine book. If non-fiction, it clearly explains what it sets out to explain. If fiction, enjoyable.

[Laura]

All-school read for remote/hybrid learning this year.

[Nopadol Rompho · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you use Zoom to teach, I would recommend you to read this book. It was authored by Professor Dan Levy from Harvard University. I love all the case studies and tips provided in this book. They are so useful.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful for figuring out how to make online classes more engaging and inclusive.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very practical guide for teaching with Zoom!

[Jennifer Tollefson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hope no none ever needs this again.

[José Díaz-Bahamonde · Rating 5 out of 5]

In short: a must read if you are teaching with Zoom.

[Sonal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, efficient, and clear. Probably one of the best resources I've read for online teaching.

[Rosalia Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy puntual y lleno de buenas recomendaciones. Ha sido de gran ayuda para mi.