Guidelines for Student Camera Usage
Camera considerations and recommendations
Using cameras during online synchronous sessions can help build presence, connection, and community. Yet, students may have unequal access to the internet bandwidth needed to support camera usage or to cameras themselves. Students may also feel cameras are an invasion of privacy and not want to show their surroundings to others. Finally, constant camera usage can be a source of fatigue and distraction for students, taking away from their learning experience.
For these reasons, we recommend that faculty who would like cameras to be on during online synchronous sessions take several steps:
- Ask or request that cameras be used, but do not require that they be used
- Set clear expectations for camera usage and synchronous session participation from the start of the course
- Don’t rely on cameras to determine participation or attendance; instead, use active and engaging activities to do so (resources included on this page)
Syllabus language
We recommend adding the following language to your syllabus so that participation expectations, including camera use, are established with students from the start of the course.
Please strive to be your best self in this online context: be respectful and patient with the instructor and your fellow classmates. The LUC Community Standards also apply online. Students are expected to actively engage in course activities and discussions during synchronous sessions. The following list details my expectations for you in our synchronous sessions:
- Login: Join Zoom using your LUC zoom account. You can update your name or add your pronouns through your Zoom profile.
- Camera use: Turn your camera on during course discussions and activities. Video use in synchronous meetings can foster a sense of community which leads to more engaging discussions. Additionally, turning your video off may make it more difficult for your peers to understand you during discussions, especially for peers with hearing impairments. Turn your video off when you need a quick break, your background may be distracting, or you encounter connection issues.
- Background: Consider using a virtual background for your privacy and to limit distractions during synchronous sessions.
- Audio: Unmute your microphone to answer questions and engage in class discussions. Mute your microphone when you are not speaking to reduce background noise. Consider using a headset or headphones with a microphone to improve audio quality. When possible, try to connect in a quiet, distraction-free place.
- Chat: Use the chat window for questions and comments that are relevant to our class. Comments that are off topic make it difficult for me to address students’ questions about the course. Disrespect or hate speech will not be tolerated.
- Session Recordings: Do not share class session recordings with anyone who is not currently enrolled in this course section. Unauthorized student recording of classroom activities is prohibited. Students who engage in unauthorized recording, unauthorized use of a recording, or unauthorized distribution of instructional materials will be subject to the processes and procedures that uphold Community Standards. To request the use of assistive technology for an accommodation should direct such requests to the Student Accessibility Center.
Further resources
OOL and FCIP have collaborated on a presentation about engaging students in online class sessions without cameras. The presentation covers pros and cons of camera use, why cameras are often a poor way to assess participation, and recommendations for activities that don't require camera usage. Visit "Cameras Optional: Creative Ways to Engage Students" to learn more.
Also, review the Cameras Optional Infographic with summary recommendations and links to ideas for engaging students in online synchronous sessions.
Camera considerations and recommendations
Using cameras during online synchronous sessions can help build presence, connection, and community. Yet, students may have unequal access to the internet bandwidth needed to support camera usage or to cameras themselves. Students may also feel cameras are an invasion of privacy and not want to show their surroundings to others. Finally, constant camera usage can be a source of fatigue and distraction for students, taking away from their learning experience.
For these reasons, we recommend that faculty who would like cameras to be on during online synchronous sessions take several steps:
- Ask or request that cameras be used, but do not require that they be used
- Set clear expectations for camera usage and synchronous session participation from the start of the course
- Don’t rely on cameras to determine participation or attendance; instead, use active and engaging activities to do so (resources included on this page)
Syllabus language
We recommend adding the following language to your syllabus so that participation expectations, including camera use, are established with students from the start of the course.
Please strive to be your best self in this online context: be respectful and patient with the instructor and your fellow classmates. The LUC Community Standards also apply online. Students are expected to actively engage in course activities and discussions during synchronous sessions. The following list details my expectations for you in our synchronous sessions:
- Login: Join Zoom using your LUC zoom account. You can update your name or add your pronouns through your Zoom profile.
- Camera use: Turn your camera on during course discussions and activities. Video use in synchronous meetings can foster a sense of community which leads to more engaging discussions. Additionally, turning your video off may make it more difficult for your peers to understand you during discussions, especially for peers with hearing impairments. Turn your video off when you need a quick break, your background may be distracting, or you encounter connection issues.
- Background: Consider using a virtual background for your privacy and to limit distractions during synchronous sessions.
- Audio: Unmute your microphone to answer questions and engage in class discussions. Mute your microphone when you are not speaking to reduce background noise. Consider using a headset or headphones with a microphone to improve audio quality. When possible, try to connect in a quiet, distraction-free place.
- Chat: Use the chat window for questions and comments that are relevant to our class. Comments that are off topic make it difficult for me to address students’ questions about the course. Disrespect or hate speech will not be tolerated.
- Session Recordings: Do not share class session recordings with anyone who is not currently enrolled in this course section. Unauthorized student recording of classroom activities is prohibited. Students who engage in unauthorized recording, unauthorized use of a recording, or unauthorized distribution of instructional materials will be subject to the processes and procedures that uphold Community Standards. To request the use of assistive technology for an accommodation should direct such requests to the Student Accessibility Center.
Further resources
OOL and FCIP have collaborated on a presentation about engaging students in online class sessions without cameras. The presentation covers pros and cons of camera use, why cameras are often a poor way to assess participation, and recommendations for activities that don't require camera usage. Visit "Cameras Optional: Creative Ways to Engage Students" to learn more.
Also, review the Cameras Optional Infographic with summary recommendations and links to ideas for engaging students in online synchronous sessions.