Technology has created more opportunities for people all around the world to communicate and share knowledge face-to-face, even when they are miles apart.
Since 2020, I have taught and watched hours upon hours of online lecture and theory classes, with very specific guidelines and expectations -- often dictated by an outside, faceless bureau. Holding students to such high standards helps to make them exceptional, but sometimes they need a little extra help to get there. I am especially sympathetic for neurodivergent folks and those living with chronic pain and illnesses.
Whether you're a student, a professional, or just interested in trying out and improving your participation in online classes and meetings, here is some advice.
Technology Considerations:
- High-speed internet is going to make your experience a lot smoother and reduce headaches. Mid-level internet will probably be okay.
- While mobile devices can seem convenient, not all devices and meeting software(s) will cooperate well together. I really recommend using a mobile device in conjunction with a laptop or desktop computer -- one can be your camera source while the other can be used to view slideshows and participate in chat or other activities.
- Mobile devices, in general, are distracting and may turn off your camera when notifications and text messages come through or when attempting to bring up other resources and activities.
- Have a single, stable set-up for your camera. If you're trying to hold your phone in your hand while moving all over the place, it's distracting and nauseating for the viewer.
- Double-check that your devices, programs, apps, and any other tools are up-to-date and have been recently restarted. This will reduce the likelihood that these things will try to update or restart themselves mid-class or mid-meeting.
- If your internet connection is unstable, make sure that you have only the most necessary programs or apps running in the background. Consider disconnecting any extra devices from your wifi.
- Let your host know if you're having technical difficulties. Since they may or may not be able to assist you, have the support website for your meeting-app-of-choice easily available for troubleshooting on your own:
Set-Up Considerations:
- Face into a light-source, or position it so that it's at a 45-degree angle to you/your camera -- this is considered your "key light." Any light-sources behind you need to be less bright. Natural sunlight is considered the best, if available.
- Face your camera head-on, ensuring you are centered with your head, neck, and shoulders visible.
- Be mindful of your camera positioning.
- Be mindful of your wardrobe.
- Yes, these two points are tied together.
- No, you don't want to know why.
- Have a designated space for your meetings, if possible. It doesn't have to be fancy, but it gives you a place to keep supplies at-hand so you're not searching for them mid-meeting. It's also great for consistency and in telling our brains and bodies, "We are in work-/school-mode, now. It's time to focus."
- Ensure you have a distraction-free background since some classes won't allow you to use filters or blurring.
- Be able to sit-up straight and take notes. This shows respect to your instructor and fellow classmates; instructors appreciate you for setting a good, professional example to others.
During Your Meeting or Class:
- If your meeting is being recorded, you cannot have any people enter your camera's line-of-sight -- they have not consented to being recorded.
- Tell your housemates to leave you alone. This includes your pets. It's okay if they're laying quietly in the background; it's not okay if they're distracting you or the people watching you.
- If your human housemates can read and still won't leave you alone, holding up a sign that says "GO AWAY" can work wonders. For human housemates who can't read, consider hand signals -- with varying degrees of politeness.
- Refrain from eating or chewing gum. It is considered poor etiquette.
- Consider leaving the meeting and rejoining if you receive a phone call, someone arrives at your door, or some other unexpected event pulls you away.
- Do you struggle to focus while listening to information? Have tools within reach to keep your hands occupied, such as doodling in the margins of your notes or using a fidget (or three). Ideally, have resources available that will help to support your learning of the material being discussed.
Should You Be Online?
- If you can't fully focus on your class or meeting (i.e. you're trying to play videogames, watching or listening to other media, or otherwise multitask), then no, you should not participate.
- If you're too ill or in too much pain to sit up, then you are not able to participate and you're unlikely to retain new information.
- If you are driving -- and your meeting requires you to be on-camera and actively participating -- then, no, you should not be online. If you're allowed to listen, please consider using a hands-free device and ensure your microphone is muted.
- If you or a loved one are in the hospital or attending some other appointment, please do not attempt to participate.
- If you have family and friends who cannot respect your boundaries around online classes and meetings -- and/or you do not feel empowered to enforce these boundaries -- then it may be time to sit down and reconsider what you're trying to accomplish and why. Have tough conversations. Delegate responsibilities. Consider finding a space outside of your home that will better accommodate your needs.
I hope that these tips will help you to improve your online learning and networking experiences!
