Zoom Pre-Flight Check List and Things to Think About

Tips for teachers to have successful Zoom classes.

Here are two sets of suggestions simplified from Meremel Media.

Has anyone done a Zoom Pre-Flight Checklist for class?  A few things we suggest before a live/synchronous class

• Restart your computer an hour ahead of a big session to make sure that nothing is running in the background that you forgot (like we have done)
• Get your TA’s cell numbers in case you need to connect with a separate backchannel so you don’t have to type into the screen while speaking (and esp. if you don’t have 2 screens)
• Close your email browser – this can become TMI if you go to screen share
• Make sure you are not backlit (e.g., no window behind you, etc.) and have some light on your face
• Don’t be working off a laptop on your lap – use a desk at least so we don’t get dizzy
• Move the Zoom video images right under your webcam so it looks like you are looking at the camera, not at a funky angle.
• Pre-open any web pages, PPTs, or content that you plan to use ahead of time so you can just “share” easily vs. fumbling around
• Go to the bathroom before you start (obvious, but you never know)
• Get a glass of water with a straw so you can wet your whistle (but not too much, see prior item)
• Be prepared to walk through the Zoom tech with all students at the first session, including how to Chat, Full Screen, Mute, and take off the camera.
• Be prepared to introduce where the class session is going that day ahead of time (e.g., slides then questions then breakout then groups report back, etc.)
• Consider planning and creating backup audio for your own side, in case something crazy happens with the Zoom recording. Descript is an easy single push of a button.
• Make sure software is up-to-date. This is more Skype than Zoom — a different version number (e.g., 8.58.0.47 vs 8.58.0.93…or something) wouldn’t connect well as the local (with video/audio working) was newer than the remote. As soon as they upgraded the remote computer, everything worked fine.
• Temporarily turn off Notifications. If you are on a Mac and have Notifications turned on, you may find the little widgets that fly in from the top right corner very bothersome. To temporarily turn off these fly-ins, hold down the Option key and click the Notifications widget. The icon will turn grey and you’ll stop being alerted. You can re-enable them by doing the same Option-click action.
• Save Zoom Chat sessions. Zoom will let you access and save chat sessions to a text file by clicking the three dots in the chat window (it’s confusing because there is a large “File…” button right next to it)

And on the overall planning side:

• Think of shorter teaching arcs – 5-10 minutes and then shift to something else or a different mode. Think of pre-recording those in case you are sick. Record everything.
• Verbally check in with the class, and don’t ignore the chat if you have it on. And/or assign 2 students a day to monitor the chat and help summarize (see below)
• Not every student is comfortable talking on camera, esp. at first.
• Don’t assume all students have a decent mic or camera. You can assign creating video recordings to make, but they may just have a smartphone and a shared desktop. Both CAN create content, but students may need a primer.
• If there is audio feedback/echo, comment that if someone can’t hear it, it is their computer, and they should mute.
• Start everyone on mute and then take people off.
• Prepare 1-2 quizzes in case I want to check where their heads are at or need a quick break before changing topics.
• Show people how to use the Whiteboard and show student-led graphic drawings of the class content, and rotate students.
• Rotate student roles – student tech support of other students, organizing the chat, doing a search around the chat to add value and links for the class, etc.
• I like to open or close with a “Good and Welfare” – what good is going on in your life?
• Invite guest speakers to send a video on a topic and ask students to send the guest speaker a thank you email.