Top tips

Here are some tips to help ensure reliability and quality during your virtual classrooms.

Technical

Test the internet connection, your browser, your webcam and your microphone in advance. You can adjust microphone settings easily in Zoom - hit the chevron next to the mic icon in the actual Meeting session screen.

We recommend you acquire a separate microphone and not rely on the one built into your computer or laptop ( they can be temperamental and poor quality). A decent headset mic works well.

We advise you to participate in the class outside of a virtual desktop environment (VDI) for the reliability of service.

Use an Ethernet cable into your router rather than the Wi-Fi signal - if you can.

Before the training begins, check if any delegates are having technical difficulties.

Classroom etiquette and training content

Restructure, reconsider and re-prep your courses – think about the display of your slides on the screen – use a larger font, have less text on a screen (delegates who have to read PowerPoint screens don't listen to what's being said!). Incorporate images and video - but do make sure you are allowed to use them!

Be creative - create interaction

Use the Zoom tools to encourage interactivity – polls, chat, breakout rooms etc. Be energetic and refrain from speaking for long periods

Networking

You could keep the session open for 20 minutes after the training session is over so that delegates can chat and network if they fancy it.

Look professional

Be mindful of where you set up your screen/monitor and ensure your background isn't a mess or distracting. See our Guidance for presenters + panelists for more on this subject. Also try to look at the camera rather than the screen as often as possible.

Survey

We recommend sending out a link to a post-class survey so you can learn from your delegates about how they felt it went. We do this with our webinars - see Post event survey for more information.

For further information you can also see Zoom's Frequently Asked Questions