How to Participate

How to Participate in the Center’s Tele-education Programs (This information does not apply to those participating from home.  All you need is the zoom link.)

Our programs are free of charge to both participating sites and patients. However, in order to participate in tele-education programs, there are certain physical, staffing, and technical requirements that must be met. You’ll need:

• a conference room or space large enough to accommodate your group
• a high speed internet connection (T1 line)
• videoconferencing capabilities such as Polycom, Zoom or Cisco
• a monitor large enough for group viewing
• a staff member who can do the following:

~ be present for most or all of the broadcast to facilitate the session and operate the equipment
~ print out and distribute copies of educational materials and class forms to participants
~ fax back copies of the attendance and evaluation forms following each broadcast

We are happy to talk with you about program requirements or other questions you may have.

Please complete the registration form if you want to sign up for programs.

Conducting a Successful Tele-education Class

Here are a few basic considerations that can really improve the educational effectiveness of the diabetes tele-education classes.

• Turn on your equipment one-half hour prior to the class start time so that you will be ready to begin as scheduled. If you have not connected to our site previously, you should consider a dry run prior to the class to make sure that the equipment and connection are functioning properly.
• When not communicating, please mute your microphone by pushing the mute button. All sites other than the one speaking should be muted and un-mute only when they wish to speak.
• Do not hold the mute button down. When you do this, you cannot be heard. Press and release to turn the muting on; press and release again to turn it off so that you can be heard.
• Speak normally. You need not speak any louder than normal conversation if microphones are positioned appropriately.
• Allow the on-screen speaker to finish before responding. There is a slight delay in transferring 
video through a network.
• Do not move the microphone too close to other audio equipment such as speakers to avoid feedback or static.
• Encourage your participants to ask questions, and remember that there is no question that is too basic. Often, participants say that the most useful part of attending the class was getting a question answered or a puzzling issue clarified.
• It aids in communication if we can see the people in your room. Position the camera properly so that all participants will be in view. Try to fill the screen as much as possible with people instead of tables, chairs or walls.
• If the meeting room has windows, make sure blinds are drawn or adjusted to reduce any glare.
• Do not touch the microphone. Shuffling of papers or the “drumming” of fingers near the microphone can project loud noises on the far end.