The On The Hill guide to navigating a new virtual learning space:
As we navigate this new distance learning system, here are some tips, tricks and common courtesies for your enjoyment.
STAYING POSITIVE
As a general rule of thumb, be loving and accepting toward the Technologically challenged people in your life. They are trying their best. And they’re doing way better than we expected.
Boot up your old Minecraft Realm and play with your friends.
No one wants to see online classes on your snapchat story.
MUTING COURTESY
Mute yourself – This is a common courtesy. If you don’t use headphones mute yourself. If you are typing mute yourself. If you are getting notifications from the group chat where you make fun of your teacher for not understanding technology mute yourself. If you are eating mute yourself. If you are breathing loudly mute yourself. If you are breathing at all mute yourself. If you are doing anything that is not asking a question mute yourself. If you don’t mute yourself we can hear your dogs barking, we can hear your phone dinging, we can hear your air conditioning, and we are all judging you in the groupchat you aren’t a part of.
If you want to say something to someone directly don’t do it in public channels. Contact them individually.
EMAIL COURTESY
Don’t reply all – For all the fools still making this mistake, you contribute nothing to society.
Read all of your emails. It is really annoying that we have to reply to emails but this is just something we have to get better at.
Don’t sign up for/unsubscribe from spam with your OVS email. Use it strictly for school-related things.
Login to your OVS email on your phone, your laptop, your iPad, your Nintendo 3DS – everything.
REGARDING GOOGLE MEETS
Using Google Meets is tough, and we here at On The Hill understand your frustration. However, there are like 8 buttons so if you don’t figure it out by tomorrow there is very little hope for you in the real world.
Use Google Chrome. It supports Google Meets more efficiently.
Make a new Google Chrome “Person” by clicking your profile picture in the top right hand corner. Title it “School” and then add all your classes to the bookmarks bar in that profile. This helps with keeping your school stuff organized. Dedicate this profile to your OVS email, moodle and meets.
You can for sure crash other people’s classes if you ever need a refresher on freshman bio.
IN CLASS TIPS
Don’t eat in class if you are a nasty eater. You are most likely a nasty eater.
Remember we can all see you. Don’t pick your nose.
If you are on your phone in class put your phone near the camera so it looks like you are still paying attention.
TIPS FOR YOUR WORKSPACE
Try to work as close to the WiFi in your house as possible, and/or consider moving your modem.
Try not to work from your room.
Keep your bed a sacred space, don’t do homework or attend class from your bed.
Set your computer on something sturdy so it doesn’t shake. If you are using your phone don’t hold it in your hand, prop it up and leave it alone.
ATTIRE
This should go without being said, but please wear pants. That means you Aaron.
Sweats are entirely acceptable but Frosty The Snowman pajamas are just a bit much.
Lastly, if all else fails, blame the WiFi.