Zoom Etiquette

Dress for success: Even though you may be alone at home, your professor and classmates can SEE you.

Present your best self: Eat a good breakfast, get showered, and dress. It will prepare you physically and mentally for a great day.

Beware of your surroundings: Your instructor and classmates can also see BEHIND you. Make sure that there is nothing in the background (traffic, other people, a pile of laundry) that may distract others and you from the class. Or you can employ a virtual background to hide what you don’t want to be seen.

Use a “mute” button: Once you log in to the virtual classroom be sure to mute your microphone (lower left-hand corner). This helps with any background noises you may have.

Raise your hand and wait to be called upon: If you wish to speak either physically raise your hand or use the “Raise Hand” button at the center of the bottom of your screen. Once the instructor calls on you, unmute yourself and begin to speak. When you have finished speaking indicate you are done by saying something like  “That’s all” or “Thank you” then mute your microphone again.

Use the “Chat” feature often: This tool lets you make comments and ask questions without interrupting the speaker but be aware that your comments are public and are recorded in the minutes of the session. As you have likely learned in your face-to-face call back in kindergarten, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”