Conas freastal ar rang/How to attend class

What is Padlet?

When you register for classes your auto-confirmation from our website will include a long list of Padlet links for classes, conversation groups, and reading groups. Padlet is a website we use to house all Zoom links and supplemental class materials. There is a different Padlet site for each class or activity. Think of it as your class home page.

Above is an image of a sample Padlet for the advanced-level reading group. The Zoom link is located to the left. Class materials are organized by month on this particular Padlet, but it may be organized by subject or unit in your Padlet. On your class Padlet you can scroll to the right and down to reveal other columns, for more information. The Padlet above shows mostly PDF documents you can download, but many Padlets also include embedded learning games, videos, and other types of materials. To download or print a PDF document, simply click on the document and click on either “download” or “print.”

The Zoom link may be located in a PDF document (as is shown in the sample above) and may not be “live.” A live link is embedded in the text, is typically colored blue, and when you click on it you are taken directly to the Zoom meeting. A non-live link is more like a picture of the link, with text that is usually black. You can copy and paste that link into your browser (such as Google), then hit “enter” to be taken to the Zoom meeting. You may be asked to input your meeting number and/or passcode, which can be found on the Zoom invitation.

If you would like to try or switch to another class level or group, you only need to access the list of Padlet links in your confirmation email to find all the Zoom links and materials. For that reason, when you register, you should save the confirmation email by bookmarking it or copying and pasting the Padlet links into a more convenient location on your computer. Please take a minute to familiarize yourself with Padlet and Zoom prior to start of class. Teachers do not check emails during classtime and many questions and problems can be solved independently if you allow yourself time to learn about the technology prior to the start of class.

Computer, Tablet or Phone?

We recommend you use a desktop or laptop computer for your online class. A larger screen will make for a better learning experience. A tablet should also work well. Teachers will share their screen with you to read and watch videos, which will be very small and possibly unreadable if you are using a phone.

Use of headphones/earphones are also recommended, to reduce background noise and help you hear your teacher, classmates, and presented material accurately. This is obviously very important in a language class.

It is best to attend class in a quiet location, free from background noise that may disrupt class and your learning. Your teacher will let you know if you should keep your microphone muted or not. Be sure to unmute yourself to talk!

Zoom features

We conduct online classes via Zoom. Most people have some experience with Zoom at this point, but if you don’t, here are some features you might want to understand. You can change the view to single speaker or gallery by clicking on the link of boxes to the upper right of the screen. You can mute or unmute your microphone using the toolbar. You can ask questions by writing notes in the chatbox or clicking on the “raise your hand” icon, found on the toolbar. Your teacher will likely put you and other students into “breakout rooms” for small group discussions or group work.

Online Classroom

Zoom classes are not that different to in-person classes. Most materials will be posted on Padlet, or will be locateable in your textbook. You should be ready to access them during class, either by printing them out prior to class or by being sure you can pull them up on your device during class. Teachers will employ a combination of teaching methods, including lecture-style explanations, videos, voice recordings, group activities and breakout rooms for more small group or pairs activities. Some materials will not be posted in advance, so that students can practice responding to the spontaneity of real-life language situations.

Note: our teachers use education sites such as Padlet, Quizlet and Wordwall. The branch pays for subscriptions and the students access the assignments and practices FREE of charge. If a site asks you for money to create an account, there is a problem with how you are trying to access the practice sites. If this happens, please email us for directions on how to access the materials.

Students are encouraged to ask questions and participate fully in all activities. Students are expected to be on time, to complete homework assignments, and to participate in class. Students are expected to treat other students and teachers with courtesy, respect, and dignity. Keep in mind that each student has various strengths and weaknesses, and that each group will vary in ability. If a class is somewhat too easy or somewhat too difficult for you, be patient with yourself and with others. If the issue persists, consider going up or down a level.

Recordings

We do not record classes or make recordings available after class, to protect privacy of learners.

Email Confirmation

Your email confirmation is auto-generated immediately when you register and you might not notice it. It is sent by the website, Squarespace, not Conradh na Gaeilge. It is important, as it is your key to accessing classes, so please read it! There are two sample images below showing what this email will look like. It is important that you scroll down through the entire email to find the links to Padlet. See the images below for the top and middle of a sample email confirmation containing a zoom link to the registration meeting and the Padlet links.

Please note that the Zoom link you receive in your confirmation email is to the registration meeting only. It does not take you to your Irish class. We recommend you copy and paste all the Padlet links into a document you keep on your desktop, for quick accessibility. At the registration meeting we will review these points to help you learn how to attend class.