This article highlights Table Audio Mode. Table Audio is a unique Engageli feature that allows instructors to guide small-group discussions without requiring participants to move into separate classrooms. In this mode, conversations are contained within individual tables.
A typical use case is when the class is working through a topic and the instructor asks learners to explore different aspects with their tablemates for about 15 minutes, then present their insights to the entire class. Table Audio simplifies this workflow by keeping everyone in the same classroom, eliminating the need to switch rooms and reducing the risk of confusion.
Engageli classrooms open in Room Audio Mode by default. To switch to Table Audio Mode, instructors can click the Room Audio / Table Audio slider located on the left side of the bottom panel, as shown below:
When Table Audio is active, conversations are limited to individual tables. In this mode, participants will only hear:
- Their tablemates.
- Anyone at the podium--including the Instructor (unless they are visiting a table) and participants with raised hands.
Put simply, Table Audio restricts communication to within your table group. To address the entire class, you'll need to get on the podium.
There are a few important things to note relating to Table Audio Mode:
- Learners will no longer see the "Class Gallery" tab in the Views Tab section. Instead, they'll see a "Tablemates" tab. Similarly, the Overlay Gallery feature will be disabled for Learners while Table Audio mode is active. Instructors and TAs will continue to see the "Class Gallery" tab and have access to the Overlay Gallery feature, though, so that they can continue to monitor the classroom.
- If the classroom is in Room Audio and an Instructor joins a table, Engageli will automatically switch the classroom to Table Audio. Consequently, the classroom cannot be switched to Room Audio until all Instructors are back at the podium.
- With Table Audio, only participants at the podium will have their video and audio appear in the class recording. Speech that takes place within a table will not be included in the recording.
- In Table Audio Mode, participants at the podium--such as Learners/TAs with raised hands or Instructors not seated at a table--cannot hear conversations happening at other tables (except the one they are currently seated at). Put simply, raising your hand allows you to address the entire class, but it does not grant you the ability to listen in on table discussions. If someone at a table wants to respond to you, they must also move to the podium.
This limitation is visually indicated in the Class Gallery: when you are at the podium, anyone speaking at their table will display a moving green microphone icon surrounded by a red circle. This shows they are talking, but you will not hear them. An example of this indicator is shown below: - Although Table Audio Mode is the setting that actively uses tables, Learners and TAs are always seated at a table when they join the classroom--even if Table Audio is never utilized during the session. In other words, being seated at a table does not necessarily mean Table Audio Mode is active. This design reflects Engageli’s goal of simulating a real classroom environment, where participants sit at tables regardless of whether a table-based activity is taking place.