Connectivity problems happen – let students know that that’s ok and they should just rejoin as they can.
- For your first class, set aside some time to introduce your students to Zoom and ensure that they’re able to connect their audio and video.
- Look at the camera to create eye contact with your students. This helps to create a more personal connection while teaching over video.
- When delivering a presentation, sharing images, files or video, give your students a moment to open or take in what you’ve shared.
- Embrace the pause. Take a moment after the end of your comments and allow for students to engage before continuing on.
If you have access to a microphone or headset use it – it’ll nearly always be better audio than your computer’s built in options.
Control background noise and disruption by asking students to stay muted unless they are going to speak. Encourage them to use earbuds or headphones and refrain from typing on the laptop unless they are muted.
Consider using the text-messaging tool built into Zoom or keeping the video feed off.
This saves internet bandwidth and allows participants to listen comfortably without worrying about their appearance.
If you’re running a session with students on campus and online, designate someone in the room with you to be actively monitoring and engaging with the online students in the chat.
This is a good way to make sure the online students have a voice without you trying to do everything at once
For synchronous (real time) online sessions – be aware that you’re often being invited into a student’s home and be understanding.
Although we’d suggest that you recommend students to find a quiet space and set aside the time, they (and you) may not always be able to control interruptions by roommates, spouses, children, and pets.
Especially with snow days, I’d suggest recording live sessions so that students can rewatch what they missed if they need to leave the session for a while.
- Divide into smaller groups for a discussion on a certain topic. You can use Zoom’s Breakout Room feature to either pre-assign or auto-assign students into groups for a short period of time so they may discuss things together.