Necessary Technology

Here are the things you need to be prepared for class:

1. A computer with a video camera. Refer to Law IT’s computer recommendations for students.

2. Reliable internet. Test your speed at speedtest.net or fast.com

3. Headphones/earbuds with a microphone. Please do not rely on the built-in speakers in your computer. It can cause disruptive feedback, and echoing.

4. The latest version of Zoom’s Desktop Client. Follow these instructions to make sure you are ready. You need to make sure you are on the latest version to utilize the features we will be using for class.

5. Please update your Zoom profile with your photo. This can be done at https://cornell.zoom.us/profile.

Preparing for Class

1. If you have never joined a Zoom call before, please review this tutorial.

2. Please find a quiet place that you can use for the entire class session.

3. Use headphones as your friends/neighbors/roommates may be attending a different class at the same time.

4. While the Zoom “virtual background” feature is a fun feature to play with, do so on your own time and not in class; if you do use it, use your good judgment with a plain, nondescript background. (Keep in mind that it can be distracting to others and distort your image; if that’s the case the instructor may ask you to turn it off.)

5. Find the right lighting. Dress as if you were going to class. Use a location that you are comfortable with others seeing.

6. Restart your computer before the first class to avoid any glitches.

Joining a Class Session

  1. When signing in for class, make sure to sign in with your Cornell account. To make sure you sign in with your Cornell Account, choose “Sign in with SSO” >> Type “Cornell” >> and login to your Cornell Account with your netID and password. It is very important you sign in with your Cornell Account because this is the account we may use to assign you to breakout rooms for team activities and take attendance.
  2. Join class 5-10 minutes early. “Technical difficulties” are not an excuse for being late — you should have all tech issues worked out before class.
  3. Zoom will log attendance and the time you join and leave the virtual class.
  4. Zoom links will be provided through Canvas – do not lose them. To find your recurring class link, click on “Zoom” in the Canvas navigation bar.

During Class

  1. Class participation is expected (and in most cases, required). You should come to class prepared and ready to engage.
  2. Mute yourself when you are not speaking. Background noise is distracting.
  3. Be prepared to unmute yourself or be unmuted by the host at any time.
  4. You will be required to have your video camera on at all times to effectively engage with your professor and classmates. It should be set up so participants can see your face at eye level with the camera. If you have concerns about keeping your camera on, please speak with your professor or the Dean of Students Office (law.dos@cornell.edu).
  5. Use the chat function in Zoom to ask questions in class or click “raise hand” if you’d like to be called on.
  6. Do not share your screen unless you are asked to do so (be aware that it will be shared with the entire class).
  7. We are going to try our best to keep everything in the Zoom environment to limit distractions. You may also have PowerPoint or adobe open for class materials.
  8. It is very obvious when someone is using their phone or other apps on their computer while on a video call. It is not acceptable to be surfing the web, answering emails, watching videos, or anything else not related to class content.
  9. You will be removed from the class if you are being disruptive. This will count as an absence. Remember also that all Cornell policies, codes of conduct, academic integrity, and professional conduct remain in force.

Other

  1. Virtual attendance is required and your attendance record is dependent on you joining each session live. All attendance policies still apply to virtual classrooms.
  2. You may be recorded during each session.
  3. For any students who have accessibility issues with this new online format, please follow Cornell policy and raise the issue with the Dean of Students (JDs) or Graduate Legal Studies (LLMs) Offices.
  4. If a professor chooses not make a recording available to the entire class through Canvas (like the class link, these will be found under “Cloud Recordings” under the “Zoom” heading), you can request a link to the recording through the Course Video Recording Request Form.
[1] Many thanks to our Cornell Tech colleagues for creating these guidelines and allowing us permission to use them for the Ithaca campus. These guidelines are designed to improve the distance learning experience and provide a productive virtual classroom experience for everyone. There will certainly be iterations and things we learn along the way, and we will revise these guidelines accordingly. Please also note that your instructors may have class-specific instructions that differ from or supplement these guidelines.