This article will review details of the Bottom Panel of the Live Classroom. As its name suggests, it is located at the very bottom of your screen within the Live Classroom. Specifically, it is the long horizontal bar that sits just under the Main Panel. We've provided an image below for reference:
The Bottom Panel is comprised of a number of icons and buttons. They're generally categorized into 2 groups: independent actions and right-panel toggles. Independent actions can be thought of as buttons that will activate a tool or feature. Right Panel toggles are buttons that can be clicked to load their corresponding content into the right-hand panel of the screen. Below is a screenshot highlighting the Right Panel of the screen:
The right panel can be closed either by clicking its "X" button or by clicking the corresponding button in the bottom panel. For instance, if the right panel is displaying the classroom chat, clicking the chat button again will collapse it.
The items that appear in the bottom panel are mostly the same for all class participants with minor variations depending on your role. We'll be sure to highlight the variations when applicable. We'll now cover every item that appears in the bottom panel in order of appearance:
- Room Audio Mode / Table Audio Mode - This selector, found on the left side of the panel, lets Instructors switch between two audio configurations. Room Audio Mode follows the standard format found in most online meeting platforms, where all participants can hear one another. Table Audio Mode, unique to Engageli, isolates audio so that participants can engage in small-group conversations within the same classroom environment. While Learners and TAs cannot operate this switch, they can reference it to see which audio mode is currently active. Please review the Live Classroom > Bottom Panel > Table Audio Mode article to learn more about Table Audio Mode.
- To Podium - The "To Podium" button, located on the left side of the panel, allows Instructors who are visiting or peeking at tables to return to the podium. This button is visible only to class Instructors and will be visible whether the class is in Room Audio or Table Audio (though only clickable.
- Camera - The Camera button, located on the left side of the panel, allows you to toggle your webcam on/off. If your webcam is on, then other participants will see your webcam video. If your webcam is off, then other participants will see your avatar, instead.
- Mic - The Mic button, located on the left side of the panel, can be clicked to toggle your microphone on/off. There are several icons that can appear to reflect your microphone's status. Please review this article to understand the nuances between them.
- Settings - The Settings button, located on the left side of the panel, can be used to go into the settings area. This will allow you to access some of your personal settings and, if you're a classroom Instructor, some of the classroom settings. Please see the Live Classroom > Bottom Panel > Settings article for more details.
- Direct - The Direct button, located towards the center of the panel, allows Instructors to nudge class participants to a particular Views Tab. Please see the Live Classroom > Bottom Panel > Direct article for more details.
- Activate - The Activate button, located towards the center of the panel, allows Instructors to activate Action Tags. Please see the Live Classroom > Bottom Panel > Activate article for more details.
- Record - The Record button, located towards the center of the panel, allows Instructors to record the class session. Please see the Live Classroom > Bottom Panel > Record article for more details.
- React - The React button, located towards the center of the panel, allows participants to send classroom-level emojis and sound effects. Please see the Live Classroom > Bottom Panel > React article for more details.
- Present - The Present button, located towards the center of the panel, allows participants to start activities. Please see the Live Classroom > Bottom Panel > Present article for more details.
- Tablemates - The Tablemates button, located towards the center of the panel, allows participants to load their tablemates' portraits into the Right Panel. Please see the Live Classroom > Bottom Panel > Tablemates article for more details.
- Gallery - The Gallery button, located towards the center of the panel, allows participants to load the class gallery into the Right Panel. Please see the Live Classroom > Bottom Panel > Gallery article for more details.
- Raise Hand - The Raise Hand button, located towards the center of the panel, allows participants to get on the Podium, where they can address the entire class. Please see the Live Classroom > Bottom Panel > Raise Hand article for more details.
- Notes - The Notes button, positioned near the center of the panel, lets participants create and access their personal class notes. Please see the Live Classroom > Bottom Panel > Notes article for more details.
- Q&A - The Q&A button, positioned near the center of the panel, enables participants to post questions and provide responses. This feature is particularly helpful for learners studying course material independently, as it allows them to seek answers between lectures. Please see the Live Classroom > Bottom Panel > Q&A article for more details.
- Chat - The Chat button, positioned near the center of the panel, allows participants to send chat messages to others within the classroom. Please see the Live Classroom > Bottom Panel > Chat article for more details.
- 3-Dots Menu - The 3-Dots Menu button, positioned towards the right side of the panel, allows participants access to various configuration or class management options. Please see the Live Classroom > Bottom Panel > 3-Dots Menu article for more details.
- Help Menu - The Help Menu button, positioned towards the right side of the panel, allows participants access to various help and support features. Please see the Live Classroom > Bottom Panel > Help Menu article for more details.
- Leave - The Leave button, located towards the right side of the panel, can be used to leave the classroom. It's not something that's very important for Learners and TAs, but Instructors are encouraged to make use of it. Please see the Live Classroom > Bottom Panel > Leave article for more details.