1.) Appropriate language, questions and comments are a must.

11.) Provide good lighting on your face. Do not use back lighting. Also, be sure windows and light sources are covered so as not to ruin the picture with the glare.

2.) Be aware of the image you are projecting to the "world" - avoid faces and gestures which would appear inappropriate to those watching.

12.) Allow for time delays. When called upon, start talking and keep talking and don't hesitate because you see or hear something unexpected. Delays are always present.

3.) Announce who you are and your location when you begin talking to another site so they know with whom they are conversing.

13.) Monitor your email and telephone for late-breaking announcements and for information about systems that may be causing problems.

4.) The name above your video window should indicate information about your site - its name and/or location so that others can easily identify your video image on their screen. (Individual users may wish to label their window with their own name.)

14.) Avoid too much body motion; this creates blurry images at the receiving end. Avoid white or patterned clothing and flashy jewelry that will reflect light. Avoid rocking in your chair or jumpy movements. The video may seem "jumpy" if you are constantly moving.

5.) Use the name of the site (see the information above their window) to begin your comments or questions if you do not know the individual in the video window. This helps others on the reflector know to whom you are speaking.

15.) When you send slides or graphics, announce this beforehand so that other sites will not try to send slides at the same time.

6.) If you do not want to be disturbed with conversation from all sites or wish to have a private conversation with a site, click on the appropriate microphone or speaker buttons.

16.) Clothing tips: Avoid plaids, stripes and prints. Participants may watch your clothing "move" rather than listen to what you are saying. Pastel clothing is better than white, which may glare as a result of the lighting in the room. If you do wear white, keep a jacket or sweater on to give contrast.

7.) Wait to ask a question or make a comment until you are reasonably sure that the person talking is done. Try listening for verbal clues. At times the term "over" may be used to indicate that the speaker is done. When a question is asked that is usually a signal that the speaker will wait for your response.

17.) Eliminate background noises (e.g. fans, disks, etc). Keep your microphone muted if no one is speaking. Try not to shuffle papers, drum fingers or tap pens, etc., near the microphone. Coughing, shuffling papers and even drumming of fingers will shift the camera to your site!

8.) If you are engaged in a active conversation and must leave, let others know - do not just disconnect. It is always nice to indicate you must leave either verbally or by typing a message just the same as you might end a phone call.

18.) Test the hookup before class – be sure you understand who or what will be focused on (in case sensitive or private materials are present), how the camera will be run and what will happen during the conference.

9.) When you join a reflector site which has participants already engaged in conversation, do not jump in and begin talking. Wait until you are addressed or until there is a break in the conversations before you begin a dialogue. (Lurk before you leap!)

19.) Provide guests, if possible, with a list of questions your students will ask, so the guest can prepare the answers or at least be familiar with where the presentation is going.

10.) Allow for time delays. When called upon, start talking and keep talking and don't hesitate because you see or hear something unexpected. Delays are always present.

20.) Give yourself five minutes at the end of your meeting to allow participants the time to say their good-byes and to arrange for the next session. If you sense you are going to run out of time and need to extend your conference, contact the room coordinator 30 minutes before the end of your scheduled time to see whether the room and bridging can be extended.