Before Joining a Training Event:

• If you have not used Zoom before please test it in advance of the session
• If you have a headset or headphones you might want to use these for the session. Make sure you test this before the session.
• If you have any special needs, please let us know in advance, so we can try to find a solution together.
• Prepare as you would for a face-to-face meeting: get what you need – pen, paper, tea, coffee, water.
• Switch off or turn your mobile to silent.
• Switch off notifications from email.
• Close as many windows as possible.

Video Feature:

• Be mindful that we can see your background.
• Choose if you want to switch video on or off.
• Please do not share your joining instructions; only attendees booked onto the session will be admitted to training.

Joining an Event:

• Be there on time!
• Video: Position yourself so your face fills the screen.
• If you can’t get the video to work, you can still connect via audio.

During Training Events:

• Try not to multitask – give your full attention as if you were in a face-to-face training session to get the most out of the session.
• Doodle, make notes, stand up, do stretches if that helps you to stay concentrated (switch off your video for some for these).
• The host will mute all participants at the beginning of the session. This avoids background noise like paper rustling, coughing etc.
• The host will invite questions at designated points in the session. They will let you know when these are.

Virtual Training Etiquette:

• If you need to ask a question outside of these times please enter your question in the chat box, this enables the co-host to directly respond to you, or raise your hand virtually and unmute yourself once invited by the host.
• Remember if writing a question in the chat box your question can be read by all participants unless you directly message the host or co-host and if you ask a question verbally, all participants can hear you.
• Remember you should never share anything online that you wouldn’t do in real life.
• Thumbs up, smiles and nodding are all great ways to give feedback.
• Online training will be new to some; please be sensitive to others.
• You always have the choice to switch video off at a later point in the session if you wish, for example if you need to respond to a family member.
• Please do not try to record the session for future use. Resources will be made available to you after the session and you can always follow-up with us if you have any questions afterwards by contacting the event organiser, usually one of our MDO team.

Credit: Adapted from Historic England Virtual Meeting Etiquette and South West Museum Development.