Virtual Staff Room with Video

[mitchell1981]

Hi All,

 

This didn't really fit into any Forum category, so I've gone with Cloud Services!

 

I'm been asked to look at creating a virtual staff room for staff that supports video.

 

So basically I want it to operate as an 'Always On' video meeting that any members of our staff can just drop in and out of as they like, as easily as possible, I suppose without having to be approved each time they join, and for the meeting not to close if everyone leaves!

 

Any idea if this is possible?

 

Thanks.

[paulkerton]

What platform do you currently use in school? 365? G Suite?

[mitchell1981]

We have access to both. Just started experimenting with Teams.

[paulkerton]

If you want to use Google Meet, just create a repeating calendar entry, and the Meet link won't expire.

[jmak]

I think I can imagine why you want to do this; for ad hoc (social) meetings to replace popping along to the staffroom to see who's there for a chat - which seems like a positive thing to do to help keep everyone in touch while we're in lock down. Am I along the right lines?

 

Reason for asking is that I think your biggest issue is process, rather than technology. An always open video meeting seems like a significant security hole.

 

Technically, you could create a staffroom Team or Group and use the meet now/instant meeting feature, but if someone had to be first, no one would start the meeting.

 

Sorry it's not an answer - just checking I haven't got the wrong end of the stick and also pointing out that you need to carefully consider security risks.

[paulkerton]

Reason for asking is that I think your biggest issue is process, rather than technology. An always open video meeting seems like a significant security hole.

 

In what way would you consider it a significant security hole? There is the potential for a staff member to share the location of the video with a student perhaps? Though this can be audited in eDiscovery if that were to occur, and if you've setup your platform correctly only internal users would be able to connect.

 

What other issues would it present? Genuinely curious.

[jmak]

In what way would you consider it a significant security hole?

 

Maybe I'm over reacting...

 

On reflection, I guess if it's one of the properly secured platforms, it's actually minimal. I'm reading too much of the hype about unwanted attendees. I was also thinking about safeguarding issues and monitoring/evidence to protect the school in case of accusations of wrong doing, but that probably only applies to pupils.

 

Apologies - I'll put my tin foil hat back in the cupboard...

[paulkerton]

Maybe I'm over reacting...

 

On reflection, I guess if it's one of the properly secured platforms, it's actually minimal. I'm reading too much of the hype about unwanted attendees. I was also thinking about safeguarding issues and monitoring/evidence to protect the school in case of accusations of wrong doing, but that probably only applies to pupils.

 

Apologies - I'll put my tin foil hat back in the cupboard...

No need to apologise. Was genuinely curious to your thinking.

Let's face it. We all know Zoom is a whole other level of security hell. It's just the Government who've decided to rush in and use it to conduct Parliament... Can't see that being a problem...

[DrCheese]

If you create a daily meeting (As I think there's a limit on the length) in teams you could just show them how to drop in/out of that?

[hardtailstar]

Can you create a meet group and then they can chat away via text in there about random stuff and then video call from same chat.

 

That's what I have been doing with friends. one chat then video calling and anyone joins in as you get a notification you are being called.

[dhicks]

I'm been asked to look at creating a virtual staff room for staff that supports video.

 

Using Google Meet, we have daily reoccuring events at 10am (Morning Teabeak Meeting) and 3pm (Afternoon Teabreak Meeting) - just having a meeting open the whole time is going to be a bit hit-and-miss as to whether people happen to be in front of their cameras at the same time.

[Cache]

I've just created a staff room team and staff have the ability within it to start a meeting at any time through the meet now button, had a couple of on/off conversations today through it.

[titch]

We've just done a similar thing. Within our "all staff" team I have made a staff meeting channel. Within this there are 2 recurring meetings. Break and lunch time.

 

Have added some random convo starters to the channel as well like "any ideas on good TV shows" etc.

 

I think there is a knack for getting the first person in there . They Alost need a bit of insentive. But after that we had quite a few people at one point.

 

Any ideas on incentives for first person in being Billy no mates?