Overview of Engageli Hybrid
Engageli’s hybrid learning environment supports learners joining a live Engageli room virtually and physically, colocated in a room. Learners who are physically located in the same room can join a table audio group (Hybrid Groups) along with virtual learners, fostering collaboration and enhancing the learning experience. With a Push to Talk feature, learners within their hybrid groups can contribute to the conversation, ask questions, and join the podium. This article is designed to guide IT teams through the setup and configuration and provide facilitators with best practices for optimal engagement.
Key Terms
- Hybrid Groups: Virtual tables that are audio based and allow a mix of in-person and remote learners to communicate seamlessly. These virtual tables are designed to replicate the experience of being in the same room, fostering engagement and collaboration during group work.
- Individual devices: Each learner, remote and in-person, uses their own computer. This ensures that all learners have equal opportunity to participate in whiteboard activities, collaborative documents, Polls, Q&A, and Notes.
- Primary Mic and Speaker: When Hybrid Mode is enabled, each hybrid group must have one individual device assigned as the microphone. This enhances the learning experience by improving audio quality when sharing with the entire room during in-person, hybrid sessions. The primary microphone and speaker roles can be transferred to other members within the hybrid group.
- Push to Talk: Each learner in the hybrid group can use the spacebar to unmute and speak to the whole room. When the Push-to-Talk button is active, the learner is temporarily given the ability to use the hybrid group microphone.
- Group Mic: Learners in the hybrid group share a microphone with the primary mic and speaker. This is visible to the hybrid group members and to use this mic, learners can use the spacebar for Push to Talk.
- Overlay Gallery: Facilitators in the live Engageli room have the flexibility to pop out the room gallery, known as the Overlay Gallery, to an external monitor or screen. This Overlay Gallery can be resized as needed.
Application
Consider a session where peer-to-peer collaborative activities take place between a mix of co-located and remote learners. The facilitator, who will be remote from at least some of the co-located learners, will guide the session while the co-located learners participate from the main physical space. This setup encourages seamless interaction and collaboration among all participants.
IT Setup and Configuration
Setup Requirements
Setting up Engageli Hybrid functionality does not require any hardware installation. However, we do recommend:
- A stable internet connection
- Individual devices (laptops or PCs) for each learner
- Camera and Microphone browser permissions enabled
- Compatible browsers (Chrome, Edge, Brave)
- Headsets (optional)
Setup Guide
1. Enabling Hybrid Mode
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As an administrator or facilitator assigned to the Engageli room, navigate to your room in the Admin Portal and go to Live Configuration.
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Select Allow Hybrid Groups from the list and then scroll down to Save Changes
This will make the Hybrid Mode option visible to the learners.
2. Remote Learners Join the Session
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Remote learners can join by simply clicking the Room URL. There are no visible changes to their experience.
3. In-Person Learners Join the Session
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In the Lobby, prior to joining the Room, in-person learners will need to select the Hybrid Mode option. Settings include:
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Activate hybrid mode = Toggle on
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My group will use mic and speakers from this device = Checked
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NOTE: It is recommended to select the first in-person learner joining the session as the device mic and speaker. Once in the room, other learners in their Hybrid Group can become the primary mic and speaker.
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Once in the room, the learner designated as the primary mic and speaker will see the Push to Talk prompt.
TIP: You can assign a room mic and speaker as the primary device, this device can be set up within the physical room on a separate PC or laptop. The device will need to be logged in to the Engageli Classroom separately and create a large hybrid group of in-person learners who can then join that Hybrid Group and use the Push to Talk functionality on their device.
4. In-Person Learners Creating and Joining New Hybrid Groups
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While in the Room, in-person learners seated at a separate physical table or in a different room can create their own Hybrid Group.
Follow these steps to create new groups:
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Click the Hybrid icon in the toolbar.
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Select Create New Hybrid Group and confirm swap by selecting Yes, Swap. Once a new group is created, the creator of the group will be prompted to designate their device as the primary mic and speaker for the group.
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Learners can join other hybrid groups that were created by clicking the Hybrid icon in the bottom toolbar > Swap Group. A list of available groups will be displayed and a learner can join a group listed by selecting Join.
5. Video Setup for the Facilitator
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Engageli Live Room with Hybrid enabled is compatible with external monitors.
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To connect your external monitor, make sure to test the connection separately and use the external monitor to extend your display.
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In the Live Room, you will need to:
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Select Open Overlay Gallery within the Class Gallery view:
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Drag the Overlay Gallery to your external monitor and resize as needed
Facilitators' Guide
Learner Flow
- Welcome learners and explain the hybrid groups. In-person learners will join a single hybrid group by default when joining the room and will need to create their own hybrid group and have their colleagues join them.
- Note there is a single device that will be the primary microphone and speaker for that specific hybrid group. For the best experience, we suggest learners use their headsets or earphones when interacting with remote learners. This may assist with the audio heard across tables.
- Monitor and manage the session using Engageli’s facilitator tools.
Best Practices
- Encourage interaction: Mix remote and in-person learners in Hybrid Groups for dynamic discussions.
- Manage audio: Ensure learners use the Push to Talk feature on their device when sharing in the Live Room with both in-person and remote learners.
- Leverage the chat: Use the chat feature to facilitate questions and discussions without interrupting the flow.
Need more help? Contact Support.