Monthly Archives: December 2020

Dear Students–Please Play Nice on Zoom

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by Janet Mizrahi

Dear Students,

I am writing to you because after teaching on Zoom for two terms, I am having a hard time. Like you, I’d prefer if we were in class where we could get to know each other and be less formal. But that is not to be, and I need your help to keep going. I love my job, and I know what I teach is valuable, but it’s getting more and more difficult to deliver captivating and motivating lectures when I can see my students being inattentive. I once had a student “attend” class while she waited in line at In-N-Out Burger, ordered her meal, and then ate it!

It didn’t feel good. It kind of sapped my will to teach.

So I ask you to look at class sessions from my perspective for a moment and consider some Zoom etiquette I’ve listed below.

Attend class in a quiet location. Being in a quiet spot will help you focus on our class and not the household background noise.

Adjust your camera so your face appears.I’m not an actor who is used to performing to a camera or greenscreen. I am a teacher who enjoys engaging with her students. If you use a still image instead of showing your face, I have no idea what you are thinking or even whether you are present. It makes me sad.

Mute your microphone. Background noise is distracting to me as well as to you. Mute your microphone so I won’t hear your roommates, parents, or pets.

Focus on class activities. Pretend you’re me looking at a bunch of squares on a computer screen. Some faces are laughing (are you laughing at me?), some are talking to others, some just disappear for long stretches. Act as if you’re in a real classroom and don’t look at social media feeds, chat with your roommate, or eat a meal. Focus on what you’re in class to learn.

Snack discreetly. If you must eat, be discreet and maintain your focus on what’s happening in class.

Install an unobtrusive virtual background. I would rather not see your messy bedroom, if possible.

Wear clothes. Not just for me, but for you. Wearing PJs doesn’t put you in the frame of mind to learn.

With heartfelt thanks,

Your instructor

Thanks to John Atkinson for his permission to use his drawing, Every virtual meeting.

Make Synchronous Teaching More Effective… Stay Focused When Working at Home… Facebook Returns to Its College Roots

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Make Synchronous Teaching More Effective

Moving physical classrooms online comes with many challenges. However, instructors who teach in a synchronous setting can improve outcomes with a few strategies.

  1. Ask students to complete a task before scheduled class sessions. Then discuss that exercise during class.
  2. Require attendees to turn on cameras upon entering the session if their wi-fi and camera connections allow them to do so. Explain why seeing their faces helps you connect with your students.
  3. Remind students to mute their microphones when not speaking. This will avoid broadcasting background noise.
  4. Greet students as they “enter” class. A simple wave or a smile and a hello can do a lot to help students feel they are part of a community.
  5. Preface the class with an overview of what the day’s lesson will entail. Start class by telling students what they’ll be doing.
  6. Vary activities, and keep them short. It’s difficult for students to sit still through a long lecture. Break up the tedium for them (and you!) by changing activities several times.

From edusoft.com

Stay Focused When Working at Home

To quote BB King, the thrill is gone. Working from home has become more and more difficult the longer the pandemic goes on, and that’s bad for concentration. As the interruptions mount, experts offer ways to get back to business.

Control distractions. Silence alerts on phones and other devices, which can distract even the most dedicated worker. Turning off wi-fi can also help focus and minimize the temptation to check e-mail or social media.

Buy key supplies. Noise-canceling headphones and white noise machines can help block distractions. Stock up on sticky notes to jot down reminders, too.

Plan the day. Write down the day’s goals. Stick to working toward one goal at a time.

Schedule breaks. Use breaks to check e-mail, eat, and to conduct other at-home responsibilities.

Clear a workspace. Avoid working on a bed. Have a comfortable chair with proper back support and a spot on which to place your computer.

Finally, take care of yourself. Get enough sleep and avoid overeating, which can make you sluggish.

From The Wall Street Journal

Facebook Returns to Its College Roots  

Facebook, which started in 2004 as a way for college students to communicate but long ago morphed into the world’s meeting place, announced a new platform dedicated solely to college students. Facebook Campus is designed to allow students within an institution to share content that can only be seen by others attending that school.

Featuring chat rooms and a news feed for updates about fellow classmates, Facebook Campus will also publicize a campus’s future events and contains a campus directory. However, participants in that directory must opt-in—the app will not automatically populate with all student names.

The new platform has been adopted at some notable campuses including Brown, California Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins, and Rice.

From insidehighered.com