Z-ETIQUETTE

COVID-19 has disrupted traditional methods of physical teaching and learning. This means our reliance on technology has increased. Many classes may still take place online or on Zoom. Below are a few tips for Zoom etiquette, or ‘Z-etiquette’ for short!

Camera On

• Turn your camera on! It’s less scary than you think and it’s super important to build connections with your classmates and tutor (imagine if you were a tutor speaking to 20 blank camera screens... that’d suck, right? So help them out!)

Unmuting

• Come off mute to ask your questions! Tutors are often screen-sharing during the class and might not see your question if you only type it into the chat box. Depending on the tutor, they may prefer it if you select the ‘raise your hand’ icon before speaking.

Wear Headphones

• Wear headphones, as this makes your voice clearer and prevents the dreaded ~zoom echo~

Log On Early

• Try to log on to the class a few minutes early. This gives you enough time to get yourself organised and helps the tutor start the class on time. Some tutors might also use this time to chat informally with the class, which is a great opportunity to connect.

Interact In Class

• Try to be helpful to the tutor -- respond when they ask if you can see something, politely let them know if there is a technical problem or if someone has asked a question in the chat box that the tutor may not have seen.

Protect Your Details

• Never share the Zoom details or passcode with anyone who is not supposed to be in the class. This is a recipe for disruption, as well as being a violation of your tutors’ and peers’ privacy.

Find Quiet Spaces

• Try to find a quiet space to limit background noise around you. You could even book a study room on campus

Prepare Beforehand

• Prepare for your tutorial just like an in-person class. Be ready to answer questions and contribute to the discussion - along with asking questions, these are some of the best ways to make sure you’re understanding the topics being taught.

Pay Attention

• Try to be at your computer the whole time the class is in session. There are no marks for attendance! If the tutor asks you a question and all they get back is your mic and camera off, everyone will 100% know about your sneaky tea and biscuit break.

Be Polite

• Try not to talk over other students or the tutor.

• Be respectful of your peers and tutors and aware of what you are doing while on the Zoom call. A good rule of thumb is to not do or say anything while you are on the Zoom call that you wouldn’t want everybody in the class seeing or hearing.

• If there’s lots of background noise where you are, try to stay on mute to reduce distractions for everyone else.

Hide Distracting Backgrounds

• Is there a lot going on behind you while on Zoom? Or do you just want to hide your messy bedroom? Luckily, Zoom has a feature that allows you to add in a background (like green screen) behind you while your camera is still switched on. You can easily use a Zoom background preset or download an image of, for example, a nice and tidy office room.