Best Practices in Classroom Management

Meeting Security

There are measures that can be taken to increase the security of your Zoom sessions and reduce the chance of unwanted attendees. We recommend using as many of the options as you reasonably can without impacting your meeting operations. If you are discussing any sensitive or confidential information in your meetings, these measures become that much more important.

For recommendations on improving privacy and security, see the Zoom Security Best Practices article.

Classroom Management

Faculty can help students thrive in virtual classes by setting clear expectations and using Zoom’s features effectively. The tips below cover preparation and best practices for managing Zoom sessions to create an engaging and organized learning environment.

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Download the Zoom Client

Create your Zoom account and download the Zoom client. Make sure you are signing into your account using SSO (single sign on).

Check your Bandwidth and Signal

Wired internet is better than wireless for Zoom. If you must use wireless, try to remain close to the wireless router to better improve your connection when possible. Please use the internet speed test to make sure your internet is optimized.

Test the Audio

This will ensure your speakers and mic are working properly before class begins. Here is how to test your device audio.

Practice Hosting

In general, Zoom is quite easy to use, but you may want to practice a couple times prior to your first class session. Test your audio/video and become familiar with how to share your screen, etc.

Setup the Blackboard-Zoom Integration

Use the Zoom Blackboard integration to add Zoom to the Blackboard course site.

Review Zoom Tips and Tricks

Learn more about helpful tips and tricks to use in Zoom.

Add Virtual Class Information to Your Syllabi

Include information about virtual class attendance in your syllabus. Be sure to indicate whether students are required to join the session live or if watching the recording is acceptable. Include information on student participation and whether or not cameras/microphones will be required.

Remind Students of Code of Student Life

Remind students that the Code of Student Life expectations do not change with online or hybrid teaching and learning. If a violation occurs, appropriate actions will be taken as they would with inappropriate behavior in the classroom.

Provide Information on Joining

Make sure students are aware of how and when to join the Zoom session, and provide a link to the Zoom Getting Started knowledge article.

Remind Students of Class Etiquette

Virtual classrooms are just like in person meetings and classrooms. Remind students that everyone can see and hear each other, so it is important to make sure they are properly dressed and avoid behavior that would not be acceptable in the classroom.

Use a USB Headset

If you will be joining the session from your office or home, a USB headset will provide better audio than your computer’s built-in system. Try to hold sessions in quiet, indoor locations to control ambient noise. UND (University of North Dakota) recommends this model: Logitech H390.

Be Early

We recommend you have your session open 10 minutes early to allow students to join before the class starts. Students who do not log in with their UND credentials will be brought into a waiting room. You may need to admit these students into the room.

Have your Content Ready to Share

If you are sharing documents or content, have this ready before class begins. You should also check with everyone to make sure they are seeing what is being shared. If you do not want your emails or other private content visible to your participants, you should also close these prior to your meeting/class.

Take Attendance

Have students use the thumbs up emoji or type "here" in the chat window.

Manage Participants

The Manage Participants panel will help you to do the following:

View a list of all participants (students)
Show who is speaking and who has their microphone and camera turned on
Mute or unmute participants and turn participants' cameras on/off
Remove disruptive students, or put them on Hold

Record Meetings and Save Chat Logs

You can record meetings to the cloud, or to your local computer. If recording from a classroom, it may be best to use cloud recording so you do not need to wait for the recording to process.

At the beginning of the Zoom session, notify students if the sessions will be recorded. Students who do not wish to be included in the recording should leave their camera/microphone off and not participate in the chat.
Chat logs can be saved manually or automatically based on settings.

Use the Chat Function

You can send questions or statements to everyone or privately. Here is how to use in-meeting chat

Designate a student or TA to monitor chat to track questions.
Stop periodically to address questions in the chat. Don't try to monitor chat continuously.

Remove Offending Students from the Meeting

This function is found in the Participants Window (See the Managing Participants in a Meeting tutorial for more information).

Escalate Offensive Behavior

Use appropriate procedures to address concerning behavior, just as you would in the classroom.