Ultimate Guide to Live Streaming Classroom for Educators

Do you want to make classroom learning more accessible and flexible for students? Live streaming classes are the best way to do that, becoming an essential tool in modern education, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.

With over 1.6 billion students affected by school closures at the peak of the pandemic, virtual learning increased in popularity. The global e-learning market is now expected to reach USD 842.64 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 18.6% from 2022 to 2030. 

Live streaming allows you to create a real classroom-like environment in e-learning where educators deliver lectures in real time, and students ask questions and get them answered right away.  

Wondering how to stream a class yourself? Read on as we uncover the benefits of a live streaming classroom and share five easy steps on how to go live with your lessons. 

What is a Live Streaming Classroom?

A live streaming classroom is like a virtual room where teachers and students come together to communicate through voice, live chat, or a whiteboard.  

This technology uses high-speed internet and specialized protocols to transmit multimedia content in real time with minimal latency.  

The process starts by encoding the instructor’s audio-visual input and sending it through a content delivery network (CDN). It then distributes it to students’ devices, where it’s decoded and displayed. 

Live streaming helps you enhance e-learning by making it more interactive without the need to meet physically.  

If you’re deciding whether you should take your classes online, you must. It would be the best decision, as 70% of students agree that online classes are better than traditional classroom settings! 

4 Key Benefits of a Live Streaming Classroom 

There is a plethora of benefits that comes with streaming teaching in a live classroom setting. Don’t you want to get these advantages for your live classes online, too? Let’s check them out here:    

1. Accessibility: A live streaming classroom allows students who can’t attend in-person classes due to disabilities, anxiety, or other circumstances to participate fully in education. No more physical barriers – it ensures equal learning opportunities for all! 
2. Real-time interaction: Online streaming helps you build on more engagement through live chat features. Students can ask questions instantly, share thoughts, and interact with peers, creating a dynamic learning environment. Wouldn’t you want to make a space like that? And this can be especially beneficial for those hesitant to speak up in traditional classrooms. 
3. Flexibility: Both teachers and students gain freedom from location constraints. Classes can be conducted or attended from anywhere with a good internet connection, using smartphones or laptops. This flexibility saves time and reduces the need for extensive post production work. 
4. Performance insights: Streaming platforms often provide analytics tools, allowing educators to track student engagement, participation patterns, and content effectiveness. With this, you can refine your approach and improve future lessons. 

Okay, now that you know these four key benefits, let’s see how exactly you can get started with live streaming a class yourself! 

How to Live Stream a Class in 5 Steps 

Teaching a physical class is one thing, but live streaming to students is a whole different ball game. It takes a bit of a technical turn.  

But don’t fret. We’ll walk you through the steps to carry out live online classes with ease for a smooth and engaging learning experience:   

1️⃣ Pick the Best Live Streaming Platform  

Once you’ve decided to host live classes online, you need a streaming platform to make it happen. Wondering how to make that choice?  

Here’s a look into the features you should consider to get the best solution onboard: 

• Video analytics to help you track student attendance and performance  
• Audience engagement tools like Q&A, live chat, surveys, and polls 
• Video-on-demand capabilities for recording and storing lessons for future references  
• Privacy and security measures to ensure the live class environment is safe for all  
• Screen sharing capabilities to share videos, PPTs, and other content with your students  

Besides, it should be easy to use and intuitive with a reasonable price tag. Streaming platforms like OnTheFly, Restream, and Muvi help you stream your lessons with just a few taps. With its help, you can host live classroom sessions across multiple channels simultaneously and interact with students in real time.

2️⃣ Assemble Your Live Streaming Equipment 

Now, with a streaming platform picked out, you will need equipment to enhance the quality of your stream.  

Here’s a quick list of the live streaming gear that you will need: 

• A webcam/DSLR for high-quality and crisp picture quality  
• Microphone so that you can produce an on-campus class environment  
• Tripod or Gimbal to stabilize the camera or other live streaming device  
• Proper lighting to ensure streaming is clearly visible  

3️⃣ Secure a Stable and Fast Internet Connection  

You know how annoying it is when you’re watching a video, and it suddenly freezes up and starts buffering right in the middle. It’s a total turn-off!  

And while many of us hit the exit button on a bad stream, students will probably have to sit through spotty streaming. This affects their focus and performance.   

To avoid this, you need to ensure a consistent, reliable, and high-speed internet connection for your live streaming classroom. But what exactly can you do to get that? 

Use an ethernet cable to prevent signal issues and stay close to the router in case of a Wi-Fi connection. When streaming teaching, stop all internet-draining apps on your computer or phone. Choose a streaming platform with low latency for real-time delivery and smooth playback. 

4️⃣ Prep Your Content Before Streaming   

Now is the time to focus on the most important part: What do you plan to teach in your live streaming classes?  

When planning your live streaming classes, start by setting clear goals and objectives. Structure your content into logical modules and use multimedia elements to enhance engagement.  

Throw in some interactive features like polls and quizzes to check understanding, and use breakout rooms for collaborative learning.  

5️⃣ Run a Practice Test Before You Go Live  

You’re almost there! One last step for teachers streaming live classes is to check if everything is running smoothly beforehand. The last thing you want is to realize that your screensharing is not working or your video is not properly set up.  

Run a practice test before live streaming classes to ensure all moving parts from microphone to camera and that the online live class platform is functioning appropriately.  

Choosing a reliable live streaming platform can significantly reduce these worries. The right tool offers dependable features and strong performance, minimizing unexpected interruptions and allowing you to focus on what truly matters—delivering an engaging lesson. 

Final Thoughts on Live Streaming Classes  

Are you ready to take your classes live? Don’t sweat – it’s not an uphill battle!  

Start with your digital toolkit – that’s how you’re going to set up your virtual classroom. Then, give your internet a quick health check if you want a smooth session and not choppy videos. Before you decide to go live, prep your lesson like you usually do, and don’t forget to carry out a practice run.  

In the end, the most essential ingredient to making your live streaming classroom a success is you, paired with the right platform to support your talents!  

Research and sign up for a powerful live streaming tool that can not just support, but take your teaching style to the next level!