Etiquette

Videoconferencing Etiquette For All Occasions

Below are some tips, suggestions, and etiquette guides so that you can make the most out of your videoconference experience. Make sure to review these with your students as well. Keep in mind that your class will be representing your school.

Tips:

There are several tips listed below to help you have a successful videoconference program:

  • Be on Time - Make sure that your class is in the videoconference room and ready to begin at the starting time. If you are late, your students may miss the beginning of the presentation or class time. It also may take away from the question/answer time at the end of the program or class.

  • Be prepared - many times a program or class will require materials or a lesson to be completed or researched prior to the connection. Some special programs include post materials as well. Find out in advance if there are any lessons or materials that will need to be prepared.

  • The "unexpected" - there are many things that could alter your plans during your connection. You or the connecting site could have an unexpected inclement weather day, or fire drill, or technical issue. Remember special programs can often be rescheduled. Be patient. Many providers and classes have dealt with these issues and are willing to reschedule. A lot of small technical issues can be resolved during the first few minutes of the connection if reported promptly.

  • Have a Plan B - If there are technical issues to deal with, have something for the students to do while the technicians are working on the issue. You can review materials that relate to the project at hand, discuss questions that you would like to ask the presenter if time allows, or have a simple game ready (especially for elementary students) such as practicing something from class: rhyming, multiplication facts, etc...

  • Introductions - When the connection begins, properly introduce yourself and your class (location or school name).

  • Mute - It is the teacher's responsibility to maintain their class. During a special program with multiple sites, mute your microphone to cancel out any background noises (coughing, papers rattling, etc...) while the presenter is talking. Unless the presenter instructs you to do otherwise. Each program is unique and handled differently. During a regular class only mute if the teacher instructs you to do so...normally the microphone is left open at all times.

  • Presentation Area - if possible, have a presentation area marked by tape on the floor or have a chair/desk for the students to stand at. If there is a set-top microphone, make sure that it is close to the presentation area. Zoom in camera on this area.

  • Presets - If you will be zooming in and out, setting presets can help this be a quick and easy process. Contact your local technician to help you if needed.

  • Practice - Especially if your students are new to the videoconferencing equipment, practice using the equipment with your class. This will allow your students to see what they look like on camera and help overcome any "camera jitters".

  • Speak Clearly - there is often lots of little background noise and it is important for the students to be heard when asking questions. If each question has to be repeated several times, this takes time away from the program and presentation time. During a special program, have each student stand or be at the presentation area, speak clearly, and be as near to the microphone as possible when asking questions. During a regular class, have each student say their name before the question.

  • Question/Answer Time - During special program, have students raise their hands to ask/answer questions and the classroom teacher will call on them in a timely manner. If there is a presentation area, have students ready to go there.

  • Be courteous - During a special program, make sure to give positive feedback. Giving thumbs-up or mild applause is an encouragement when appropriate.

Links for Videoconferencing Etiquette:


Collaborating Etiquette

Collaborating with another classroom? Below are some tips, suggestions, and etiquette guides so that you can make the most out of your collaboration experience with your class! Please review the "Student Section" with your class so that they can be prepared as well.

Teachers:

When participating in a videoconference from a provider, the presenter (or specialized educator) is in control of the program. But when two classes are connecting to share a project or exchange, it is often easy to wonder "who's in control of this thing"?? The answer is YOU, the teacher. Both teachers are responsible for leading their class in a combined effort to create a successful collaboration with all participants involved. There are several tips listed below to guide you through a successful collaboration:

  • Plan with Partner - email or speak with the partner teacher (prior to connection date) to plan how you would like the connection to run. Decide what content will be shared first, second, etc... You can even decide which site will present first. This will take away some of the "connection jitters" when you have a plan.

  • Be prepared - several projects or collaborations have material to be completed, or researched prior to the connection.

  • Prepare for the "unplanned" - there are many things that could alter your plans during your connection. You or your partner could have an unexpected inclement weather day, or fire drill, or technical issue. Remember that the connection can be rescheduled. Be patient. A lot of small technical issues can be resolved during the first few minutes of the connection. If there is going to be time for questions, have students prepare questions in advance and write them down.

  • Have a Plan B - If there are technical issues to deal with, have something for the students to do while the technicians are working on the issue. You can review materials that relate to the project at hand, discuss questions that you would like to ask the partner class, or have a simple game ready (especially for elementary students) such as practicing something from class: rhyming, multiplication facts, etc...

  • Introductions - When the connection begins, properly introduce yourself and your class. You may not want to introduce every student, but telling them the school name and where you are located is appropriate.

  • Review Videoconferencing Etiquette - It is the teacher's responsibility to maintain their class. If the partner class is presenting, mute your microphone to cancel out any background noises (coughing, papers rattling, etc...). Have students raise their hands to ask/answer questions. At the bottom of the page are some links to videoconferencing etiquette.

  • Practice - practice your presentation with the videoconference equipment. This will allow you to see what your students will look like on camera. If you will be panning the camera or zooming in and out for your presentation, setting presets can help this be an easy process. Contact your local technician to help you if needed. Create a presentation area with tape on the floor or a podium (or chair) for students to easily know where they need to stand. Have the microphone close to this area.

  • Speak Clearly - with two classes, there is often lots of little background noise and it is important for the teacher to be heard to maintain control.

  • Be on Time - Make sure that your class is in the videoconference room and ready to begin at the starting time.

Students:

Students also may feel "connection jitters" during a collaboration. Review with your class these tips to help them be prepared. Below are some tips to guide students to have the most fun out of their connection:

  • Be prepared - it is important to do the pre-connection material for the students. They will have a feeling of being prepared and lessen their jitters as well.

  • Practice makes perfect - practice using the equipment. Students may practice where they will stand to speak, asking questions, and their part during the connection.

  • Go over etiquette - Students will be reflecting their school and community. Go over classroom rules and etiquette when using videoconference equipment.

  • Speak clearly - stand and speak clearly near the microphone. If there is a presentation area, make sure students know where it is.

  • Be courteous - make sure to give positive feedback to the partner class. They worked hard on their presentation and are excited to meet your class. Giving thumbs-up or mild applause is an encouragement. Make sure to raise hands for questions and have teacher call on students.