Students are expected to treat web-conference class meetings as if they were attending class on campus, which includes behaving professionally, treating others with courtesy and respect, refraining from using profanity or socially offensive language, wearing appropriate clothing, and avoiding inappropriate surroundings.

Students are required to have and use a camera and microphone when attending web-conference class meetings unless otherwise specified by the instructor. Students may not join a class while driving or riding in a car. Students are expected to join from a suitable, quiet location with a device that permits full participation in the class activities.

Many live sessions include activities that cannot adequately be performed on a mobile device.

Source: Harvard University: Student Conduct, Expectations.

Before attending your first Zoom live session, we ask that you complete the following tasks:

1. Install the Zoom app on your computer, and enter the Zoom classroom test link.
2. Review our best practices for attending a Zoom classroom live session.
3. Familiarize yourself with the Zoom platform by reviewing the provided content.

You can find more detailed information on each of these tasks below.

If you have never joined a Zoom meeting before, you will be prompted to download and install a Zoom application the first time you join a meeting.

Here is a short video that walks through the process of installing Zoom and joining a meeting: Join a Meeting

Use the link below to access a test Zoom classroom. Accessing this test Zoom classroom will ensure that you have the Zoom app installed and that your internet connection, speakers, and microphone are all working properly and are compatible with the platform.

Click to Join Meeting Test

Please take your time to familiarize with the Zoom best practices below to help you and your fellow participants have a great experience in each live session:

• Restart/reboot your computer before the start of your meeting, at least within the prior 24 hours.
• Ensure you have a fast, stable internet connection. Wired connection is recommended; use wireless only if reliable. This will help ensure your connection does not falter or drop during the meeting. Avoid using any form of free public wi-fi (i.e., coffee shops, hotels, etc.).
• Secure a quiet, distraction-free physical location to attend your session.
• Do not join the session from a cell phone while driving/commuting in a car. The live sessions in this course require you to be an active participant, and many of the planned live-session activities cannot adequately be performed on a mobile device.
• Avoid having more than one computer or device within earshot logged into the same meeting, as it may cause a distracting echo effect for ALL participants in the session.
• Use a headset, not desktop speakers. This will help to ensure an echo-free meeting environment. Better yet, use a USB media headset which also includes microphone. Connect it, and let the driver install BEFORE entering the online meeting.

Below are some Zoom video tutorials that you should watch to familiarize yourself with the platform before your first live session. Take particular note of how to mute and un-mute yourself, as your instructor may call on you to answer a question or speak during the live session.

View the following videos:

• Meeting Controls
• Audio Troubleshooting

Breakout Rooms
Your instructor may utilize breakout rooms during your Zoom live session so that you can meet and discuss course topics within smaller student groups. Click here to familiarize yourself with how to participate in breakout rooms.