A Professor Spills the Tea: 10 Tips to Stand out in Zoom Class
By: Ellen Ensher
Tags: Online Lear, Students, Teaching And Learning, College Life, Zoom

A Professor Spills the Tea: 10 Tips to Stand out in Zoom Class Ellen Ensher Jan 8·4 min read

Why should you even care if you stand out in class? I mean after all you are going to graduate anyway, this course is just a core and being online sucks anyway. Yep, this might all be true.

But here is the deal, us professors — well — we don’t just know stuff, we also have a crazy amount of social capital. You have no idea how many GREAT jobs, internships, scholarships and just fun opportunities come my way for you my dear students. There is a whole informal network that you can tap into when you stand out in class. This does not mean you have to get an A. Some of my stand-out students were decidedly “B” or even “C” students and are now running companies. Standing out means adding value to the class so that when are not in class, we miss you. I asked my students this semester for feedback and how they felt I could help them engage and stand-out. These ideas represent my own perspective as well as theirs:

1) Turn your screen on! I know, not everyone can or should do this all the time and I do understand that social injustices can inhibit and resonate. I want to acknowledge that but I don’t think social injustices are the root cause of screens off all the time for all of my students. In fact, my students strongly advised me, “Professor- please make people have their screens on.” For my LMU students, if your background is not something you want to share you have access to free Zoom backgrounds. Or just email or chat and let your professor know.

2) Talk and/or chat. Especially when guest speakers come to class. Honestly, when I ask a question and I am met with the deafening Zoom silence, well, I just die a little inside. So really when you say anything, I remember that and am so happy.

3) Come to office hours. What the heck are office hours anyway? Is the term anachronistic? These days office hours does NOT have be about a specific class question. It can just be a way to say hello, make idle talk, or discuss your hopes and dreams. I LOVE getting to know my students so small talk today turns into a lasting mentoring relationship tomorrow.

4) Help me and each other! I will never forget the student who mid-class used his magic to download an episode I needed to show in class (I had purchased the clip and it was a technology gremlin moment). Lift others up in action and word.

5) Add value with your network. I had a student this semester who introduced me to a fantastic alumna living in Australia. She recorded videos for the class, and she is going to be featured on our website. You have a network — share it!

6) Make your non-verbals BIG. In face-to-face classes I can read body language, energy and your non-verbals easily and accurately. In Zoom class I struggle. I LOVE when you nod vociferously, use your emojis and laugh (even if it is a fake laugh it helps!)

7) Presupposition of goodness. This is a Jesuit term. It means assume that I mean well for you. Do not assume I am out to screw you over with my harsh criticism or mean evil grading. Assume first that I mean well and care and look for evidence to support that rather than the other way around. Believe me, I want you to do well as this reflects on me too. It is a win-win and the only reason I offer criticism or hold the line on standards is because I do care. The world offers consequences and as a good professor so must I.

8) Express appreciation. Do those notes from students saying “thank you” matter? Yes, a thousand times yes. When I am in the doldrums of online despair, those notes lift me up and I remember. So take a moment and appreciate.

9) Show our guest speakers love. When we bring in guest speakers, they are not getting paid. These days, since we are virtual that means no free t-shirt, no lunch, no walking about campus soaking in the sun, and no hug. So please talk, send them a request to connect or follow them on LinkedIn and say thank you. Give them a shout-out on LinkedIn and tag me and our school. Yep, I notice that too.

10) Forgive me and yourself. You are going to make mistakes. You are going to see mine especially in this new online environment. Your grade is not your worth as a human. I remember when you extend me and yourself compassion.

Also, just so you know, I believe that office hours are for life. This means if you take a class with me ever then I am here to help you now and in the future. You are all my work kids. I want to see you do well, be the best person and professional you can be, and maybe even have you come back as a speaker or mentor to our next generation of students. Plus, I LOVE seeing your wedding and baby pictures as you grow older, but I digress!

I would love to hear your tips and thoughts. I hope everyone has a peaceful semester full of new learning, delightful surprises only, and an internet and computers that always work.

Ellen A. Ensher, Ph.D. is a Professor of Management at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles