Zoom Best Practices: A Master Guide

Below are guidelines the Division of Continuing Education (Harvard Extension School and Harvard Summer School) have for you and your Zoom class. Our guidelines are made to your class remains safe and only accessible to you and enrolled students in your class and that your class runs smoothly!

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Windows and Macintosh

• 2GHz or faster processor, 8GB or more of RAM
• Please maintain an up-to-date operating system and web browser.

1. Computer minimum specifications:

Windows and Macintosh

• 2GHz or faster processor, 8GB or more of RAM
• Please maintain an up-to-date operating system and web browser

• Taking courses on mobile devices
• Linux/Chromebook
• Beta versions of any software
• Operating systems discontinued by manufacturers

2. Connection Speed

• You need a minimum internet speed of 5 Mbps. The recommended speed is 10 Mbps. Check your Internet speed.

Online Support 

Technical Questions and Computer/Software Troubleshooting

• Call (617) 998-8571 Hours: Monday–Thursday, 10 am–11 pm (Summer School hours: Monday-Thursday 9 am-10 pm); Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10 am–8 pm.
• Email: AcademicTechnology@dce.harvard.edu

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Preparing for Class

Complete these steps well in advance of your first day of class -- it will get you a step closer to a smooth first class!

Technical

1. Make sure you have a computer you can use for teaching
2. Complete your tech check
   • You need a minimum internet speed of 5 Mbps. The recommended speed is 10 Mbps. Check your Internet speed.
   • Have a wired connection. If no wired connection, move close to the router.
   • Make sure your computer doesn't need major updates
   • Make sure Zoom is updated
   • Have a headset if you anticipate background noise
   • Have a working camera
3. Review the technical best requirements for Zoom

Logistics

1. Practice using Zoom well before class time. If you have co-instructors and/or TAs, you should practice together
2. Access your Zoom room through your Canvas site: You will be accessing your Zoom classroom through your Canvas course site. This helps us make sure the only people who can access your class are enrolled students, you, and your teaching staff. You can access your Zoom class through your Canvas site and navigating to "Zoom".
3. Test your link in your Canvas site well before class to make sure you can start the class
4. Do not put the link to your meeting in your syllabus page in Canvas, as it is a public page.
5. Create a Harvard Zoom Account: If you do not have a Harvard Zoom account, create one at harvard.zoom.us.  If you know your official Harvard email address, please use that to create the account. 
6. Mute your mic if you are not speaking: Encourage your students to do the same. This lowers the chances of frightful audio feedback.

Running Class

1. Restart your computer before every class.
2. Check your audio each time you enter your Zoom class.
3. Make sure no one in your house is streaming movies or games.
4. Shut down any applications you're not using for class.
5. If you plan to share a PowerPoint file, website, etc., make sure you open them before you start class so they'll see them as an option to share.
6. Try to only Screen Share when you need to. It's much easier to see your students and for them to see each other when the screen is not shared.
7. Make student expectations clear
   • Students are encouraged to stay muted if they are not speaking. It helps with audio quality.
   • Let students know how they can participate (either by raising their hand, physically, or pressing the raise hand button in Zoom)
   • Let students know when or if they can use the chat

Help!

I can't see my students while screen sharing

• It's likely you won't be able to see all your students while you share your screen.
• Tell students to hold their questions or, if you'd like, jump on their mics to ask questions. If you can see the chat, you can have students type questions there or, if you see the participants list, have students raise their hands virtually.
• When you get to a stopping point, stop sharing your screen to ask for questions or to look at the chat or raised hands.
• We encourage you to stop sharing your screen when you're done with sharing. It'll be easier for everyone to see each other.

My connection or audio is bad

• Make sure nobody in the home is streaming movies or games.
• Move closer to the router.
• Shut down any applications you're not using for class.
• Stay logged into the session on your computer but dial in using your phone.
• Shut your camera off. 
• After class: tried to get a wired connection or work with the web conference team to improve your connection. 

Where did everybody go?! Where is Zoom?! I hear people but can't see them.

I'm too small. Everyone is too small.

Don't

1. Create your own Zoom meeting for class: We will be making your Zoom link for you to access through your Canvas site. Making your own link makes it hard for us to see if your class is running smoothly, help you if there are technical issues, and, if you’re a flexible attendance class, for our production team to get your class recording. 
2. Delete the Zoom meeting we created for your class: For the above reasons, and it will make us sad.
3. Use a Zoom account other than your harvard.zoom.us one to create or run a class meeting: For the above reasons, and it will make us sad and really confused. 
4. Publish your Zoom links anywhere: Your Zoom link should only be accessible to your students. Publishing your Zoom link on a public page of your course (namely, your Syllabus page) or anywhere else online increases the likelihood other people can access your Zoom classroom.
5. Zoom and drive.

Department of Teaching and Learning | Division of Continuing Education
Harvard University