Classroom Protocols

1. On Preparing for Class

a. Create a quiet and comfortable study space.

You are about to work, collaborate, and learn. Your environment should be set up for
that. Find a location that is free from any distraction by other family members, pets,
background noises, or cell phones.

Inform all members of your household that you have online class and that they can be
seen and heard.

b. Be dressed for school.

Since the virtual classroom is part of the school environment, the same dress code
applies. Items such as tank tops, revealing clothing, or sleepwear, and shirts with
offensive prints are inappropriate for class. You may be in the comfort of your own
homes but during classes, you are in an academic setting.

2. On Attendance and Punctuality

a. Attendance is a must. Listen to your teachers as they give the instructions on how
attendance will be recorded.

b. For intermittent and recurring absences, students will be expected to present an excuse
letter so the teacher can consider giving him/her make-up activities/quizzes/exams
missed during the absence.

c. Be on time.

Punctuality is a virtue. Classes are relatively short and there’s generally a lot of material
to be covered. To make sure you are on time for the class, log in a few minutes before
the class begins. If you have issues logging in, that will leave you a bit of time to contact
the teacher right away and solve your connection issues.

3. Inside the Virtual Classroom

a. Mute your microphone.

Virtual classrooms can get noisy really quickly. Mute your microphone to keep the audio
channel free of clutter and available to the speaker.

b. Make sure your camera is turned on for the duration of the class.
 Communication is also visual. If possible, keep your camera turned on so your
classmates and the teacher can read your visual cues. If this is not possible, turn on
your camera during class activities, whenever you are reciting or every time your teacher
requests you to do.

c. Avoid distracting visual classroom backgrounds.

d. Pay attention and read all the resource materials ahead of time.

Class participation is mandatory. It will count towards your grade. Participation will
ensure that the focus of the class is on the lesson and will help keep things organized
and engaged. To be able to participate, you need to pay attention and listen so that you
can respond appropriately when it’s your turn to speak.

e. Complete, as well, all online and offline learning tasks. This will ensure your active and
meaningful participation in class discussion.

f. Practice “single task” focus during online lessons.

Don’t be preoccupied with chatting, gaming or checking social media unless very
necessary.

4. On the Grading System

a. The grading systems covers the Midterm Term and the Final Term. It can be found in
your course outline or syllabus. If something is not clear to you, kindly contact your
teacher.

b. Teachers are given deadlines to encode grades. Once grades are encoded, it may be
difficult to modify them. If you have questions regarding your grades, notify your teacher
immediately.

c. Use the chat box, but do not abuse it

Chat boxes are incorporated in virtual classrooms. They are very useful in the sense that
you can communicate with their teachers and classmates when their computer sound
systems are not working properly.

Through chat boxes, you may share your ideas and ask questions. However, they may
also be a distraction. Be mindful of the following in using the chat box.

⮚ The chat box does not function the way Messenger does, so fire messages
that are related only to what is being discussed.

⮚ Make sure that spelling and grammar are correct before sending the
message. Do not use shortcuts the way you usually do in instant messaging.
 Suggestion

Be mindful of your spelling and grammar. Do not use shortcuts the way you
usually do in instant messaging.

⮚ Avoid writing in ALL CAPS. In digital communications, ALL CAPS usually

denote rudeness, as this may be mistaken as “shouting.” The same thing is
true when using exclamation points. So be careful of how you use even
punctuations.

⮚ Not everyone knows the meanings of emoticons. So limit their use, and
possibly just avoid using them altogether.

⮚ Before posting your question to a discussion board or chat box, check if

anyone has asked it already and received a reply.

⮚ Be respectful and polite.

✔ Use the ‘raise hand’ function when you want to speak.

✔ Listen to your teacher and classmates and only use the chat function
when the teacher asks you to do so or if there is an issue with your
connection.

✔ Refrain from using strong language or making offensive comments.

Profanity will never be tolerated.

✔ Make a habit of saying “Please”, “Thank You”, or “Excuse Me.” These

words matter. It defines who you are.

5. On Consultations with your teachers

a. Your teachers will supply their information details during individual class orientations.
b. While you are allowed to reach them through their personal contact details, be
mindful of when and how to use them, according to your teachers’ instructions.

c. Reach Out
Reach out to your teacher if you have any questions/issues. They are still here to
help, even virtually!

If you have technical issues, contact your teacher either by email or by phone and
find out what you missed.
6. On Academic Integrity

a. On plagiarism.
⮚ The Oxford Dictionary defines plagiarism as “the practice of taking someone
else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own.” This means copying
and pasting works of other people, and submitting them as one’s own without
acknowledging the original author or properly referencing the materials.

⮚ Our own modules and other class materials supplied by your teachers are
University property, and you are not allowed to reproduce, share or repost
them without an expressed consent from the teacher, the Academic Head and
the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

We should all adhere to the policies on intellectual property rights of the University of
San Agustin Innovation and Technology Support Office (ITSO).

The policies on intellectual property rights can be accessed through the following
URL:

https://flipbookpdf.net/web/site/
d788b07cfdff404ec647163e91ab039b1404f6d7FBP19655999.pdf.htm

b. On Data Privacy

⮚ Personal Data collected during an online class or other official activity must not
be used for personal purposes.

⮚ They must not also be posted in social media accounts or use them for other
unofficial and unauthorized purposes.

⮚ Recording, taking pictures or taking screenshots of virtual class

proceedings are strictly prohibited, unless you were asked by the teacher or
you have obtained permission from the teacher as part of a group activity or
requirement. lass materials and personal data (including the files or records that
contain them) stored or uploaded may be covered by a number of legal.

WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE YOU IN OUR CLASS, AND AS YOUR TEACHERS, WE

WANT EVERYONE TO HAVE A SAFE, POSITIVE AND CONDUCIVE ATMOSPHERE
FOR LEARNING. THESE PROTOCOLS AND POLICEIES WILL HELP US ACHIEVE
THAT. SO ALWAYS OBSERVE AND FOLLOW THEM TO AVOID PROBLEMS OR
IMPEDIMENTS THAT WILL RESULT TO POSSIBLE SANCTIONS THAT MAY IMPEDE
OR OBSTRUCT YOUR LEARNING.