Virtual Dance Class Etiquette
With so much going on during your virtual dance classes, even the slightest distraction can derail the focus. While it may be really funny to watch your friend’s pets wrestle each other in the background, an event like this is likely to set an unproductive tone for a significant portion of the class. Your studio owners and instructional staff have spent countless hours trying to make this work for everyone, so please be considerate. Treat the class just as you would as if it was being conducted in person; it’s an investment of your time and your instructor’s time, and deserves your undivided attention.
Whether it’s a Zoom, Google Meet, or other online experience, mind your manners with these tips!
DO A RUN-THROUGH – If possible, try logging in ahead of time to make sure the link (or other logon method) works. This will give you time to seek out help before the session. If the link, password, etc., isn’t working, you’ll have time to reach out to a staff member (or other students) to get everything ready for go-time.
BE ON TIME! – Just like in-person classes, show your teachers their due respect by logging in on time (or better yet, at least 5 minutes early) and staying the whole session! If the instructor has not logged on yet, pretend that he or she is; don’t give into the temptation to use this opportunity to gossip or speak ill of anyone (especially those affiliated with the studio). If you wouldn’t say it or do it in front of your instructor, don’t do it while you’re in the virtual class!
A QUIET PLACE – Pick an out-of-the-way area where you are less likely to be distracted. Try to make the area clutter-free so the instructor can see you clearly. Inform your family of your plans ahead of time so they can avoid interrupting you. As hilarious as it would be, seeing your half-dressed baby sister run through the shot would destroy everyone’s focus!
SOUND OFF – Check your microphone to make sure it is on mute, but be ready to turn it back on when you are being addressed directly. No one needs to hear your mom yelling at you about your messy room (again, great for comic relief but not for staying on task)!
FOOD AND DRINK – Eat a light snack beforehand so that you aren’t tempted to nibble during class. Your teammates like you, but maybe not so much if they have to watch a chunk of pizza fall out of your mouth. Place your water bottle within easy reach so you don’t have to leave class to get it.
SIGN OFF – At the end of the class, please remember to log out. If you want to continue talking with your classmates, do it outside of the virtual class platform. There are, like, a thousand apps and other technologies that you can use to keep connected with your friends.
A NOTE ABOUT THE CHAT BOX – All of the conversation in the chat should be focused on the class, so avoid making irrelevant comments. If you’re speaking to a specific person, begin your comment with his or her name. Be careful not to dominate the chat, allowing all of your classmates an opportunity to “speak.” Don’t be “that” dancer, the one that feels the need to bombard the feed with corny jokes or snarky remarks (that’s my job…just kidding).
Work hard, have fun! – Danielle
What other etiquette tips do you have for virtual classes? Post a comment below!
Desperation...
19 Comments
Holly
So much to learn in this new way of learning, especially for a class that would usually happen in a “dancing” environment!
Elaina
These are great tips and things to be mindful of during these new normal times.
Lisa
Virtual dance class is such a good idea! I hadn’t thought of it before!
Charlene
Good etiquette tips for any virtual classroom setting. The background noises and chat box can be quite a distraction to everyone on the call.
Lisa Manderino
This is great advice, I imagine it is so hard for little kids to focus with zoom!
Lisa, Casey, and Barret Dog
This sounds so amazing! We would have never thought about a virtual dance class.
Sandi
Virtual dance class sounds like my media meetings – haha!
leeandra
Great tips!
Tiffany
You do learn so much more than just dancing! Teamwork, punctuality, respect.
Sara
Our homeschool group had to transition to online classes for the last couple of weeks of the school year, and the first week was a disaster. No one had a clue what they were supposed to be doing and I don’t think any of the kids actually got anything out of that time. By the last week things had gotten a little better, but I am hopeful that we won’t have to go back to virtual meetings this fall. It’s definitely not ideal.
Eva Keller
Great reminders! I’m sure some of these things first timers just don’t think about, but for those that have had to deal with it repeatedly it can get annoying and distracting.
Barbara
Online courses can be challenging!
LaToya
Good tips! Thanks a bunch!
Nissa Haight
Great advice for joining a virtual dance class! Who knew attending a Dance class virtually was possible until now!
Charlotte
I’m so grateful for dance teachers who were able to keep dance classes going for all of the kids!
Kendra
Crazy that our kids are having to experience activities this way, but these are great reminders for that setting for sure. My son was having Jazz band rehearsals this way up until last week.
Tarifa Salem
I teach dance on Skype and my biggest pet peeve is when students sign up for the class but don’t accept the call when it goes out. I send a call invite out a day before the class so that they can accept. They are added to the chat group once they send in their fee for class. I realize things come up but it is frustrating for me when I have to take time out at the beginning of class to try to add that student to the call while all the others sit and wait. I wouldn’t have to do that if they would just shoot me a message before class that they will be unavailable. In my opinion it is very rude to not let the instructor know that though you’ve signed up for class, you will not be able to participate. Then comes the determination of whether or not to reimburse that student or apply toward a future class.
Danielle
So sorry to hear this happened to you!
Mia Evans
Thanks for pointing out that we should look for an area where it is quiet so that we will not be easily distracted and keep clutter away to help the instructor see you clearly. I will keep that in mind when my son joins a youth hip-hop dance class, since he wants to look for those that are offering online options. He said that he wants to take a virtual class for now because he feel shy, and he will probably look for a physical studio once he feels more confident about his skills.