Resources
Tips for the Virtual Classroom
At Kogod, we strive to build engaged and respectful learning communities that maximize instruction, promote your relationships with faculty and staff, and enhance your student-to-student connections.
Consider the tips below when presenting yourself in classes and meetings now and in your bright business future.
Courtesy and Respect
- Be punctual - Prepare yourself for class in advance, and arrive early to be "on time."
- Put your video ON/audio OFF - Seeing faces in a virtual setting builds a sense of community, but be sure to mute background noise until those times you contribute your ideas.
- Use names when addressing others - Click on your photo on Zoom to change to a preferred name with your face and photo; refer to others' names during discussions.
- Dress appropriately - Wear "business casual" attire. We've all heard about the focus on nice shirts, tops, and other "waist up" attire, but just remember that if you suddenly stand up, you're 100% visible, so plan ahead. Hats or caps may keep others from seeing your face.
- Sit up and lean in - you're more engaged when upright in your chair rather than reclining on a sofa or your bed. Or consider standing with your computer elevated!
- Minimize distractions - Try to keep pets, siblings, TVs, and other intrusions away. Turn off or silence your phone, and close browsers that may be open so you can stay focused. Plan to eat before or after, as eating can be distracting or noisy.
- Participate respectfully - Your professors will likely set participation norms. They may ask you to use the hand-raise function or to ask questions in the chat box. If a family member or friend needs you on your end, turn off your video briefly to respond to them.
Connect and Engage
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Speak slowly and clearly - Technology screens create an extra communication barrier. Help others understand you by slowing your rate of speaking, projecting and enunciating clearly.
- Minimize body movements - While facial expressions and hand gestures help communicate your ideas, try to keep most of your body still.
- Maintain eye contact - When speaking, look directly into the camera lens above your screen to connect with others eye-to-eye.
Technology Check
- Keep the camera still - Place your computer on a desk, not on your lap. Shaky cameras can disorient the viewer.
- Place your laptop at eye level - We like to use a stack of books as a platform, and this also works great to create a "standing desk".
- Double check that your audio works - If we can't hear you, adjust or uncover your mic, or sign off and then sign on again.
- Frame yourself - Position your face and tops of shoulders in the center of the video box.
- Lighting - Make sure any lights or windows are in front of you or at your side, not behind you.
Minimize Distraction
Appearance ✓
Workspace ✓
Background ✓
Your audience might see glimpses of your workspace, so having a neat and tidy personal appearance and background is desirable. Minimize other websites on your computer desktop in case you need to share your screen. While books, photos, and art show your personality, uncluttered and organized backdrops are best. Find a quiet corner, or download a Kogod virtual background.
Ability
In general, only refer to a person’s situation, medical condition, illness, or injury if it is relevant to the content. Then, refer to "a person with disabilities," "people in wheelchairs," or "a person with a learning disability".
If a reference is central to the message, be as specific as possible and avoid inserting value judgments or victimizing language. Descriptors such as disabled or handicapped, or verbs like afflicted, restricted, stricken, suffering or unfortunate place too much emphasis on disability rather than on ability. Instead, neutrally state that a person has Parkinson’s disease or is vision-impaired.
Some people prefer person-first language (a person with autism) and others prefer identity-first language (an autistic person). It's best to check with your subject to see which they prefer.