10.7. Zoom Etiquette
Get Set Up - Set up your physical and virtual space in a way that will be conducive to your learning before your Zoom session starts. This might mean having a notebook or textbook handy, getting documents opened up in D2L, or just adjusting your desk chair to be ergonomically comfortable.
Punctuality - It can take a little time to get into a Zoom session, don’t wait until the start time of the session to open up your computer and start looking for that Zoom link.
Muting - Perhaps the most important etiquette for Zoom meetings is being aware of when you are and are not muted. Try to keep yourself muted when not speaking as overlapping background noises from you and other participants can be distracting. When it is your turn to talk, remember to unmute, or use the Space Bar hotkey to temporarily unmute yourself.
Chat - The Chat tool is a convenient text-based tool to ask questions or converse with your classmates. Your instructor might use the chat as a way to check in with you, solicit questions, or solicit answers to questions they pose.
Hand Raise - The Hand raise button in Zoom is one way to signal to your instructor that you have a question or contribution that you want to share via your audio. The “Hand Raise” button is visible on the “Participants” panel.
Verbalize the Non-Verbals - When you’re speaking, a quick “thanks” or “I’m all set” can signal that you are done talking in ways that would be more obvious if we were all in the same room but sometimes get lost in the video conference world of Zoom.
Interruptions - Be extra mindful of talking over or interrupting other speakers in small group discussions, this potentially rude or distracting behavior is even more challenging for other participants in the Zoom session with your audio conflicting.
Watch vs. Listen - Participating in lengthy Zoom sessions is fatiguing, especially on your eyes. There might be some sessions or parts of sessions where you can listen and give your eyes a break from focusing on a glowing screen (while still following along with the audio!)
Video - Students are expected to share their video when in a Team-Based Learning session. When sharing your video, be mindful of your appearance and potentially distracting backgrounds. Dress appropriately. Please allow yourself to be in an environment conducive to learning. Though you may be limited at home by space, you’re expected to be sitting upright at a desk or table.
Behavior - Remember: how you present yourself in Zoom via audio, video, or text-based communications reflects on your professionalism. Though we are all conversing from our homes - the Zoom meeting is our virtual classroom environment and you want to conduct yourself as you would in the IHP classroom.