Office of Student Conduct and Community Support

Tips for online teaching and classroom management

  • It is common to see a change in how a student might engage in a class (i.e. communication, participation, etc.). This could appear in a multitude of ways for the student.
    • Provide clear expectations regarding how a student should communicate either via discussions posts, direct messages in D2L, or by PCC email.
    • As the instructor, identify the time frame that you are likely to respond (24–48 hours or only during office hours, etc.).
    • Host office hours.
  • What does working in a group mean?
    • Provide examples of how you want students working together versus what they should not be working on together.
    • This is a great area to address academic integrity and how that looks or how you handle it.
  • Discussion posts often try to simulate what an in-class discussion would have provided for a student.
    • We have heard from students that the clearer the purpose and expectation around the post, the easier it is for them to understand and to complete as required.
    • Know when and how to interrupt and follow up with someone in a discussion post.
    • Be clear about what language is appropriate in a discussion post (i.e. do you want them to be using profanity? Do you want them to be citing sources?).
  • Share your guidelines for how you want students to ask questions.
    • Zoom features (raised hand, chat, etc.).
  • Recording
    • Remind students of the syllabus statement.
    • Let students know how to contact you if they are not comfortable with recording.
  • Expectations
    • Clothing for Zoom classes.
    • Intoxication or drug use concern:
      • Paraphernalia.
      • While “doing” class.
    • Around students keeping mute on:
      • Phone versus using their computer, or both.
      • Some speakers will create a feedback sound.
      • As the instructor, you have the ability to mute all participants if needed.
    • Their environment:
      • Who and what is around you (consider having video off if there are background distractions such as children or roommates, animals, phones, or other noises).
  • If expectations are not being met, consider requesting a private meeting with the student to have a conversation about this.
    • If needed, use the behavioral clarification template as a guideline for you.
    • If you “kick someone off” a Zoom class meeting, this would be equivalent to asking them to leave for a class period. This would need to be followed up by some form of communication with the student before the next class period or engagement.