Think of a Zoom meeting as a face-to-face meeting. Conduct yourself as if everyone were present in the same room.
Here are some additional tips to help the meeting go smoothly for all involved:
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Join early—up to five minutes before the meeting start time.
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If you haven't used Zoom before, download it before the first day of classes (see Download and Access the Zoom Desktop Client. Familiarize yourself with any features you may need to use: mute/unmute microphone, stop/start video, screen share, etc. See video tutorials.
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Find a quiet space without interruptions or background noise. Or, consider using earbuds or a headset with microphone.
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Mute your microphone while entering a meeting and when not talking.
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Try to avoid talking over or at the same time as other participants.
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Dress appropriately, as if you were attending class in person. (Don't wear your pajamas.)
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Make sure everyone in your house or Zoom location dresses appropriately and uses appropriate language.
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Don't eat during the meeting.
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Don't do private things during the meeting.
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Compose yourself as though you are in an in-person meeting. If you look disinterested or inattentive, everyone in the meeting will potentially notice.
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Silence personal devices, particularly cell phones.
Best Practices
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Adjust your camera to be around eye level, if possible. Take note of the angle of your laptop screen if using the built-in camera.
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Have your video on, unless you are experiencing connection issues.
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Stage your video area. Keep in mind that people aren't just seeing you—they're also seeing whatever is behind you.
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Have a plain background. Avoid backlight from bright windows or other light sources.
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Have good lighting on your face, so you can be seen clearly.