InterPro - Online Learning - Web Conferencing - Web Conferencing Best Practices
Conferencing Tips & Techniques for Attendees
InterPro Courses use UW-Madison Zoom for their web conferencing needs, but these tips work for all kinds of web conferences.
- Complete a system and web browser check at least 24-48 hours prior to the web conference.
- For the most stable connection, download and install the Zoom application.
- This allows time to make any necessary changes to your set up (with the help of the IT department, if necessary).
- Zoom has a browser only option. If you are not able to download and install the Zoom client, we suggest connecting with the browser. It works best with Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge (Chromium), and Mozilla Firefox.
- For help, see Quick Start guide for the Zoom Web Client.
- Participate from a location with a strong and stable internet connection.
- Particularly when presenting, any dropped connections from the web conferencing system can be very disruptive to a meeting.
- Close all other applications on the computer that are not necessary for the presentation. This will help the software operate more efficiently, and will help to conserve the individual network bandwidth.
- Participate from a quiet location.
- To avoid disruption, post a note on your door, notify staff and/or family that you're in a web conference.
- Be on-time.
- It can take a while to get logged in and setup for a web conference, so plan to arrive a little early (~5 minutes prior to the conference start time).
- If using VoIP for audio, use a headset with a microphone.
- It provides better sound quality, and helps reduce background noise.
- Mute your phone/microphone when not speaking.
- Every noise that is made, including paper shuffling, pencil tapping, typing, coughing, and chatting with others, will be heard by everyone else in the conference.
- Engage in the web conference.
- Follow the expectations and etiquette established by the presenter.
- For example, the presenter may ask to be interrupted with questions or comments on audio at any time, raise hands, or post in the Chat.
- Read through Providing and Managing Feedback
- Identify yourself by name when verbally asking a question or making a comment