Zoom Etiquette PCC Policy

Student Zoom Etiquette Guidelines1

Addiction Studies (AD)

Remote delivery of classroom instruction has become an important modality in the Addiction Studies department. The guidelines below are intended to help us have productive conversations in Zoom while supporting a positive learning environment and getting the best out of our remote experience. These guidelines are in addition to those policies outlined in your course syllabus and supported by PCC’s academic policies.

Ground Rules

• Practice using Zoom prior to your first meeting. Zoom is very simple, but learning how to use its features beforehand will help ensure you are ready when the class is live. For information on how to use Zoom, please click here.

• Sign in from the Zoom application in D2L/Brightspace using your first and last name as indicated in the MyPCC portal to make it easier for your instructor to take attendance or sort you into breakout rooms. If you have a preferred first and last name that differs from the one on file at PCC, please let your instructor know.

• Avoid multitasking (e.g., checking your emails, looking on your phone, etc.) while attending your remote class. Stay engaged in class activities and turn off any distracting devices.

• Zoom classes are real classes. The expectations and behaviors that are expected in a live face-to-face class are the same in Zoom. Zoom meetings are face-to-face interactions - please conduct yourself as you would if you were sharing a non-remote classroom with your instructor and peers.

• Dress like you are coming to the classroom - yes, you must be dressed! 1 Adapted from: Virtual Meeting Etiquette (PCC, 2022); Zoom Etiquette for Students (Concordia University, 2022); Zoom Etiquette (Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning, 2022); Zoom Etiquette at Montclair State University (Montclair State University, 2022)

• Prepare and “get ready” for class just as you would an in-person class. Have textbooks and anything else you need for class with you. Before class, review the plan for the day’s session. Check the syllabus and any announcement or email sent by the instructor.

• Attending a Zoom meeting is just like attending a face-to-face meeting. You are expected to participate actively by engaging in chat prompts, contributing to the larger group discussions, and interacting productively in breakout rooms. Moving into breakout rooms is similar to breaking into small groups in a face-to-face classroom - please be present in order to move into your assigned breakout group. 

• Respect the rights of others (both instructors and students) and contribute to an online environment free from bullying and discrimination. All students deserve equal opportunities, respectful communication, and to feel safe articulating individual lived experiences and viewpoints. Disagreements are fine, but personal attacks are not tolerated.

• Enjoy a beverage, but hold off on having an entire meal if possible.

• Remember, you are always “on camera.” Need to sneeze, blow your nose, use the restroom, move locations, or something you don’t want us all to see? Mute your audio and blank your video for these moments. Let your professor know (via a private chat message) that you are stepping away for a few minutes. Please don’t take your device to the restroom with you - it’s okay to step away for these moments!

• If you need to step out of class for a very brief period of time, please notify your instructor via a private message in the chat before you leave, and when you return. You are responsible for any missed content or participation.

• Be aware of your “air time” and “share time.” Be considerate of not talking over people, and give everyone a chance to participate and speak. The ⅔ rule is a great way to think about whether or not you need to share something - if the question or the information doesn’t relate to at least ⅔ of the class, reach out to your instructor via private message or email.

Audio

• Please mute yourself when you join the session (if you are not already muted).

• Make sure to keep your microphone muted when you’re not speaking so it gives other students the ability to chime in and share their thoughts without distraction.

• When you are called on, unmute yourself and speak. Remember to mute your microphone again when you are finished - background noise is VERY distracting for everyone.

• If you wish to speak or ask a question, click the “raise hand” button in the reactions area and wait to be called on.

• Let the person talking finish before you begin to speak. It is very difficult to hear or even track what is being said when multiple people are speaking. 

Video

• In order to meet course outcomes, video must be turned on at all times, in order to be counted in attendance for AD classes. AD courses require students to have their video on during the entirety of remote class sessions as face-to-face communication fosters a professional and congenial classroom atmosphere. Additionally, many of our classes address intense content (e.g., trauma, ACES, discipline, child welfare issues, etc.), and having your video on is a safety measure that helps the instructor gauge involvement, confusion, activation, and response to the topic. It’s also nice to know that there is a living human being on the other side of the screen!

• Use a virtual background or Zoom’s blur feature to hide any visual distractions or things that you don’t want others to see. 

• Demonstrate your attentiveness and participation by typing questions, comments or responses in the chat box (counts as participation). Also, raise your hand, open your microphone, and respond verbally. Consider also using the non-verbal communication tools in Zoom (reactions) to provide real-time feedback to your instructor and peers.

Chat

• The chat function should be used only for class-related discussions - comments, sharing of resources, questions, responses to instructor prompts, etc. Keep remarks on topic and courteous. Remember, this is still our classroom.

• Avoid using the public chat box to have private side conversations with your peers. Everything in the public chat feature is recorded. Private chat messages to peers or instructors are not recorded.

• Your instructor may not be able to keep track of a quickly-flowing chat, so don’t rely exclusively on the chat feature to get your questions answered.

• Stay on topic and avoid wordy sentences or lengthy paragraphs (unless otherwise noted by the instructor).

Breakout Rooms

• Before joining a breakout room, clarify the timing, expected outcomes, specific roles assigned to students, and materials needed for the activity with your instructor.

• It is the expectation that you will actively participate in Breakout rooms. Your lack of participation will negatively impact your weekly participation score and ultimately your grade.

• Keep your video on during breakout rooms. Your peers like to know that there is a human being on the other side of the camera.

• Make sure you know how to ask for your instructor’s help while in a breakout room.

• Follow instructions from your professor in the use of specific features in a breakout room (e.g., Share Screen, Whiteboard, etc.).

• Respect etiquette guidelines and maintain a professional demeanor with your peers.

Behavior to AVOID

• Avoid ghosting the class or hiding behind your blank screen. Sometimes students attend class, even make a contribution, and then disappear but remain logged in to Zoom. This is NOT permissible. Not only does this hinder your learning, but it’s disrespectful of your classmates and instructor.

• Avoid tuning out. If in response to being called on you realize you do not know what the instructor has asked and aren't sure of what the class is discussing, you probably tuned out. If this happens on a consistent basis, you might need to develop new strategies for paying attention (i.e., take handwritten notes, keep your camera on, etc.).

• Avoid attending class as a side activity. Do not attend class while driving, socializing, cooking, actively caring for young children, working, etc. Multitasking like this isn’t good for your learning, can be dangerous to yourself and others and raises safety and ethical issues.

• Avoid remaining silent and unresponsive. Participate in class discussions with your peers and with the instructor. A silent classroom where the instructor is only lecturing results in passive rather than active learning. Participating helps keep each other engaged. If you are having trouble with audio, use the chat.

• Avoid the use of tobacco/vaping during the class session. PCC policy states: The use, distribution, or sale of tobacco, including any smoking device or e-cigarette, or carrying of any lighted smoking instrument, in PCC buildings or on PCC premises is prohibited. The same holds true during Zoom class meetings.

• Avoid ignoring problems you’re having with the class, your technology or the modality. Problems need to be addressed. Reach out to your instructor, see your advisor, contact the Student Help Desk… ask for help! PCC has resources

- take a look in your syllabus or ask your instructor!