Guidelines for attending an online course

Updated: January 2022

So, you’re attending an online class section. Here are my expectations for your participation:

Getting Started

If you’re unable to use Zoom on your current machine or you don’t have a computer, the campus will have ‘loaner laptops’ to use
- Students can email vcsa@ucsd.edu
Get familiar with the Zoom interface
- Here’s a helpful guide from UCOnline
- If you’re on a Mac, you’ll need to take an extra step to turn on screen sharing the first time you run Zoom, to ‘Give Permission’ for Zoom to capture your screen while running. Trigger this by trying to start your screen.
  - This may be helpful for synchronous group work

Synchronous Class Sessions

Before class starts…

Make sure you have a reliable internet connection
- Zoom takes bandwidth, so tethering from a phone or using Starbucks wifi is a bad idea
Make sure you’re in a quiet and controlled area
- You will be expected to talk and be on camera in each session, so make sure you’re in a location you can do both
- Minimize distractions and background noise by closing windows and doors, telling people you’re in class, and turning off notifications on devices
- Double-check what’s visible on your webcam to avoid distractions or embarrassment
Close other websites or apps that you don’t need open
- This will speed up your computer, and help you focus on classwork
- Also remember that if you screenshare, your windows, bookmarks, open tabs, etc will be visible to everybody, so make sure everything’s appropriate
- Remember, you’re much worse at multitasking than you think you are
Use headphones or earbuds to listen in
- If you’re planning to use your computer’s microphone, not using earbuds will result in echoes
Make sure you (and the folks around you) are appropriately dressed for class
- Please make sure your roommate knows that mid-class, behind you on camera, is not a stellar time to change outfits.
Remember that even in an online context, this is one of the ways you can show effort and professionalism as a student

When you’re following along…

Remember that class sessions are being recorded.
- You should assume that any session you’re participating in will be recorded for asynchronous use
Plan to keep your webcam on when you’re in class
- This helps me as an instructor gauge your attention, learning, and understanding better
- Things like nodding, confused looks, sleep, and visible laughter are valuable feedback
  - Not that I expect you to laugh at my puns
- If there’s something distracting happening behind you or on camera, you can shut it off for a moment, but please turn it back on when the distractions cease.
- If you’re unable to use your webcam, please email to let me know why. This is particularly important for group discussions, where somebody who’s muted and off camera isn’t really ‘there’.
Make use of the chat feature to ask questions
- Try and keep it relevant, although a little bit of… ahem… stuffposting… is fine. :pogchamp:
- You can also ‘Raise your hand’ by clicking ‘Participants’ and selecting that option if you’d rather speak aloud
Mute your microphone when you’re not actively talking
- Be aware of the sounds around you
- Even the noises that you ‘tune out’ like a trash truck outside or a rogue seagull will carry over microphones
- Remember that typing can be quite loud, particularly if you’re typing on the laptop whose mic you’re using
Respond promptly to polls and chat-based questions!
You will be expected to be able to interact
- Using Zoom’s built in ‘Push to talk’ capability is a good idea.
- Be prepared to unmute and respond verbally
- Failing that, be ready to respond in chat
- “Great point, can you tell us a bit more about that?” doesn’t work well if you have to hunt for the chat box for 30 seconds.

When you’re in a breakout session…

You must turn on webcams and microphones, to show your colleagues you’re ‘there’
Avoid gesturing to things your colleagues can’t see
If a member of the instructional team drops in, just keep working if you don’t have questions, no need to greet or acknowledge
- We’re just here to check in and see how things are going, but we’d rather you keep going.
Designate one person to share their screen, so everybody can see and annotate as needed
- While you’re screen sharing, note that other people can annotate your screen too.
Don’t be a bystander if something’s going on that’s not OK
- Call out unkind, uncompassionate, cruel, or bigoted behavior and stand with your classmates
- ‘Ask for Help’ to summon a member of the instructional team quickly, and feel free to just Private Message details, if you don’t feel comfortable speaking out
If nobody is talking or interacting in a breakout room, we will force you to do obnoxious cutesy online icebreaker games until people start collaborating on the classwork.
- If you’re off camera and not interacting, we will mark you as absent.