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How and Why to Set Virtual Classroom Expectations in 2024
If you’re looking for virtual classroom expectations ideas, you’ve come to the right place!
It’s important to set virtual class expectations for your students right from the start. This will help create a positive learning environment for everyone involved.
At the Tutor Resource, we have been teaching online since well before 2020 made it fashionable, and we absolutely use virtual classroom expectations in class with all of our students regardless of age and skill level.
In this article, we’ll discuss some general virtual classroom expectations and guidelines that you can use in your own virtual classrooms and tutoring sessions. We’ll also provide some tips on how to handle any potential issues that may arise.
Let’s get started!
How to Set Virtual Classroom Expectations
When it comes to setting expectations, it is important to be clear and concise. Be sure to let your students know what is expected of them in terms of behavior, participation, and work ethic.
It is also helpful to explain why certain expectations are in place. For example, if you expect your students to participate actively in discussions, you can explain that this will help them learn more effectively.
Once you have gone over the expectations with your students, be sure to enforce them consistently. If any issues arise, address them immediately so that your students know that you mean business.
Here are some strategies or tools that can use to support your students to help them meet your digital expectations:
- Post your digital expectations on your online teaching platform. Also, send them to parents/guardians.
- Offer sentence stems, if applicable. For example, some students may need sentence stems to be able to effectively communicate.
- Cheat sheets with reminders. Some students may need a cheat sheet of reminders to not use abbreviations or text lingo.
Why Setting Virtual Classroom Expectations Matters
There are many benefits to setting expectations in your virtual classroom. For one, it helps create a more positive learning environment for everyone involved. A positive learning environment is crucial for students to be able to thrive and reach their full potential.
In addition, routines and expectations help provide structure for online learning, which can be especially helpful for students who are struggling with the transition to this type of learning.
Finally, by setting expectations from the start, you can avoid potential issues down the road. If students know what is expected of them from the beginning, they are more likely to meet those expectations.
Virtual Classroom Expectations: 14 Rules and Guidelines to Implement
Now that we’ve gone over why setting virtual classroom expectations is important, here are some general expectations that you can set for your virtual classroom:
1. Be on time and present for the entire class or session. This means being logged into the video conferencing software and ready to go at the start of the class.
2. Keep eye contact with the teacher or active speaker during learning time so they know you are paying attention to them and to the class activities.
3. Follow the rules of conduct that are in place for the class or session. This includes respecting others, maintaining a positive attitude, and refraining from using offensive language.
4. Participate actively in discussions and activities. This means speaking up, asking questions, and contributing to group work.
5. Complete all assigned tasks and homework in a timely manner. This includes preparing necessary materials before class, turning in assignments on time, and putting forth your best effort.
6. Respect the privacy of others. This means not sharing personal information without permission and refraining from taking screenshots or recordings without consent.
7. Have a quiet, clean, and distraction-free learning environment. This means finding a place to work where you will not be interrupted or distracted by others.
8. Dress appropriately. Wear a shirt. This means dressing in a way that is respectful and not offensive to others. Do not wear pajamas or loungewear during class time.
9. Keep your camera on during class or session, if possible. This allows everyone to see each other and creates a more personal learning experience.
10. Mute your microphone in group classes when it is not your turn to speak. This helps prevent excessive background noise for the rest of the class participants.
11. In group classes, turn on the gallery view so that everyone can see each other. Gallery view makes it easier for everyone to follow along and participate in discussions.
12. Do not multitask on other projects or use other electronic devices during class. This includes doing schoolwork for other classes or playing games on your cell phone.
13. No eating or drinking during class. This can be done outside class time and can prevent you from participating or paying sufficient attention.
14. While it’s preferable that you use the restroom outside of class time, emergencies happen. If you are taking a class on a portable electronic device, leave it in your workspace if you need to use the restroom. Do not take the device into the restroom with you.
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Handling Potential Issues
Even if you set clear expectations from the start, there may be times when issues arise. Here are some tips for handling potential issues in your virtual classroom:
If a student is consistently disruptive, talk to them privately after class or during a break to see what the issue is and how you can help them.
If a student is not participating, try reaching out to them individually to see if there are any problems that you can help with.
Sometimes students may be reluctant to participate in group activities, but they may be more comfortable doing so if you work with them one-on-one.
If a student is consistently late or absent, talk to them about the importance of attending class and being on time. Let them know that you are happy to help them with any issues that they may have, but they need to be present in order to participate.
If a student is not completing their work, talk to them about the importance of doing so. Let them know that you are happy to help them with any issues that they may have, but they need to put forth their best effort in order to learn and improve.
Tips for Virtual Classroom Success
Now that we’ve gone over some general classroom norms and expectations, let’s take a look at some tips that will help you create a successful virtual classroom environment:
✔️ Get to know your students. Take some time to get to know your students on a personal level. This will help you understand their individual needs and how best to support them.
✔️ Create a positive learning environment. Be sure to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment where all students feel comfortable participating.
✔️ Be patient and understanding. Remember that everyone is adjusting to this new way of learning. Be patient with your students and yourself as you all navigate this new territory.
✔️ Keep communication lines open. Make sure you are available to your students both inside and outside of class. This will help them feel supported and allow you to address any concerns that may arise.
Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to contact parents or guardians if necessary.
✔️ Have a consequence system in place for when issues arise. Be sure to let your students know what the consequences are for not adhering to rules and expectations in the classroom. This will help them understand the importance of following the rules.
✔️ Supervise constantly. In a virtual classroom, it is important to be aware of what everyone is doing at all times. This can be done by using features like the gallery view or screen sharing.
✔️ Be prepared with consistent redirection and correction. Have a plan in place for when students need to be redirected or corrected. This will help you keep the class on track and minimize disruptions.
✔️ Encourage student interaction. Virtual learning can be isolating, so it is important to encourage students to interact with each other. This can be done through group work, pair work, or whole-class discussions.
✔️ Make use of virtual tools and resources. Some several virtual tools and resources can be used to support learning. Utilize these to the best of your ability to engage your students.
✔️ Record everything. Virtual classrooms can be recorded for many reasons. This can be useful for review or for students who may have missed class.
Final Thoughts on Virtual Classroom Expectations
We hope that these tips will be helpful as you set up your virtual classroom expectations. Creating a positive and supportive learning environment is essential for student success.
Virtual learning can be a great way to engage and support students, but it is important to be aware of the potential challenges that may arise. With a little planning and effort, you can create virtual classroom expectations that all you to meet the needs of all your students!
If you’re looking for more assistance in setting up your virtual classroom, we’ve got you covered!
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