Connect Sessions Tips & Tricks

1. I have a very loud background noise, is there anything I can do to minimize it?

 If your computer uses an Nvidia GTX GPU you can use RTX Voice, if it has an RTX GPU then you can use Nvidia Broadcast, if your GPU is Intel or AMD then you can use an app called Krisp. All three use AI to remove your background noise from the microphone in real-time. Just please note that Krisp is a paid app with a limited time trial.

2. I am not sure about what to prepare for my Connect sessions?

Your first 2 connect sessions are very important in order to engage your students and leave a good impression. We do believe that a very prepared Session Lead can motivate their students to keep attending their connect sessions till graduation. 

In order to prepare for your connect sessions, kindly refer to the onboarding slides sent by your Performance Manager, where you can find a recommended structure of a successful session. Also, check any resources that are shared from the performance team. Some Nanodegrees have resource banks, where you can check a lot of content that was made by successful session leads. This content can inspire you to have high quality sessions. Don’t hesitate to seek feedback from the Udacity team on what you are preparing or to seek support.

3. I feel a bit lost about what I should do to be ready to kick-off my connect sessions?

If you’re a new session lead, below are some important tips & tricks to help keep you on track:

• Attend your onboarding session, and watch the recording in case you missed it.
• Read carefully the welcome email & check for any other emails sent after the onboarding session leading up to launch day.
• Go through the onboarding slides by yourself and make sure you have a clear & thorough understanding of the material.
• Walk through the weekly schedule shared by our team, understand the learning journey for the program assigned and start making a plan for your connect sessions week by week to match the learning deliverables.
• Go through any materials shared by your Performance Manager that can help you while building your sessions.

You can always communicate with your assigned Performance Manager if you ever have any questions about how to succeed in your role.

4. Is it mandatory to finish the Nanodegree before conducting my session?

We do believe that a good session lead is the one who is totally aware about every little detail of the assigned ND, therefore it is mandatory for every SL after being accepted to enroll in his/her ND and try to complete it ASAP before they start delivering their connect sessions. We understand that sometimes there will be a time constraint, so you can enroll in this ND as soon as you know you’re accepted and complete at least half of it before you start your first connect session. We also believe that agreeing to be a SL means you are interested in strengthening your skills, and the ND will be a way to master the technical knowledge.

5.Do I need to check on progress with every student in each session?

You will need to check-in with students during your weekly sessions and check-in with the off-track students via email and the Community workspace during the week.