Student Conduct

Classroom Expectations and Etiquette

While in the LMS, the area in view of the camera is considered to be part of the classroom. Casual public dress is the norm in the online classroom. Peabody Digital Learning adheres to a classroom etiquette policy which states that students should refrain from inappropriate or distracting behavior that is disruptive to faculty and/or other students. Please review the following:

  • Stay “live” in class. Do not pause your webcam for an extended period of time.
  • Create an environment that replicates the classroom environment, such as a desk or table where you can take notes, access study materials, and stay fully connected to your classmates.
  • Attend from a well-lit room and situate the camera so your face is visible to the class.
  • Find a location that is free from distractions. Remember that people, pets, and other background activity can be heard and seen by others in the live class.
  • Respect the contributions of others in class by listening and responding to comments and questions. Multitasking by eating during class, texting, or writing e-mails indicates that you are not engaged with the course material or your classmates.
  • Commit to civility and mutual support.
  • Respect your classmates at all times, whether during large group discussion, in breakout rooms, or while working on group projects.

Participation and Attendance

Students are expected to attend all live sessions unless otherwise outlined in the course syllabus. Students are required to attend class in an environment that allows for full participation, including being on-camera in a setting in which you can openly participate in class discussion. Should a student need to miss a class for any reason, he or she should consult with the section instructor about alternatives. The decision to allow makeup or alternate assignments is at the full discretion of the section instructor.

Vanderbilt University Handbook

The VU Student Handbook further outlines codes of Academic Integrity and Student Conduct.

Academic Integrity

Vanderbilt University students are expected to read, understand, and comply with the VU Academic Integrity Policy. For graduate and professional students, the penalty for not adhering to this policy may result in dismissal from the University. View information about Academic Integrity and the Honor Code.

Communication from the University

All official communication from the University, professors, and Student Success will be sent to your Vanderbilt University email. Students are expected to check their VU email accounts regularly to stay up-to-date on all programmatic information.

Technological Expectations

There are some important technological requirements which students must meet in order to ensure successful live class sessions:

  • Students must have an operational webcam that ensures full visibility to others during the live session.
  • Attending class from a mobile device, while driving, or while in a public space will cause distractions for both students and faculty in the class. Students should review the expectations for classroom etiquette above.
  • Make sure your phone and computer are charged ahead of time, that your webcam is working, and that you are able to access the live session link through 2VU. Sign in before class is scheduled to start to make sure everything is working properly.
  • Use a headset or earbuds with a microphone to keep background noise to a minimum.
  • Mute the microphone when you are not speaking to minimize feedback.