During this incredibly difficult and unprecedented time, we understand that you may be experiencing additional stress about living and travel situations as well as technology access. Please be up front with the Creative Writing (CWR) Faculty and let them know how you are doing and what you need in order to succeed in a remote learning environment.
Your course instructor will be in touch about their specific plans for the semester, but in the meantime, we wanted to send along these basic guidelines and suggestions.
During virtual workshops with your classmates via Zoom, please keep the following in mind:
Do everything you can to simulate being in a CWR classroom.
Set up in a quiet room, alone, where you can focus.
Set up at a table or on a hard surface on which you can write and take notes.
Dress appropriately, as if you were attending class in person.
Be patient with yourself and with one another. An online classroom can be a more challenging environment for a creative writing workshop. It will be harder to see and interpret each other’s body language; everyone’s comfort level with technology is different; and tone can be hard to hear online—so please be patient and generous with each other.
Communicate with your instructor. Let them know:
Are you residing in a different time zone?
Do you have reliable internet access?
Do you have any other accommodation concerns about your access to online teaching that will be good for your instructor to know in advance?
Zoom unifies cloud video conferencing, simple online meetings, and group messaging into one easy-to-use platform. Zoom offers video, audio, and wireless screen-sharing across multiple platforms.
What do I need in order to use Zoom?
In order to host a meeting in the Zoom application, you will need the following:
Device with a good internet connection
Microphone (most laptops, desktops, and smartphones have a built-in microphone)
Web camera (most laptops, desktops, and smartphones have a built-in webcam)
In order to join a meeting via the Zoom application, you will need the following:
Device with a good internet connection
Microphone (most laptops, desktops, and smartphones have a built-in microphone)
Web camera (most laptops, desktops, and smartphones have a built-in webcam)
Important Note: You are able to join a Zoom meeting by phone (cell phone or landline). The phone numbers to call will be listed in the e-mail invitation you receive from the meeting host. Reference the phone numbers to call, based on location
Sign in with your NetID@princeton.edu & password. *This may require DUO authentication*
The first time you use Zoom, you’ll be prompted to run and install the Zoom-launcher.
If you haven’t used Zoom before & receive an e-mail invitation for a Zoom meeting:
Click the Join Zoom Meeting link in the e-mail.
You’ll be prompted to run and install the Zoom-launcher.
Upon completion, your meeting should begin.
How do I use Zoom?
Once you’re in a Zoom meeting, you can use features like turning your video and microphone settings on and off, inviting other meeting participants, chatting with other meeting participants, recording the meeting (if you are a host), and sharing your screen.
After logging into your account, you’ll notice the top menu bar includes the ability to “schedule a meeting” in the future or “host a meeting” instantly and invite participants.
If this meeting is taking place in the future:
Click Schedule a Meeting from the top menu bar. Consider the options presented to you:
Enter a topic or meeting name and description in the fields
Set the time and date of the meeting
Set the duration of the meeting
Set the time zone
Select any security options you would like (you can require registration; you can require a passcode or waiting room; you can choose from meeting options, etc.)
Once you click Save at the bottom of the page, a screen will appear with lots of information about the meeting, including the Meeting ID and more.
On this screen of information, find the Invite Link section.
The best way to invite attendees is to click Copy Invitation. You’ll then see a very detailed invite template with great information for invitees about how to connect to the meeting by link, phone, etc. Click Copy Meeting Invitation and then paste that information into an e-mail message to invited participants.
If this meeting needs to begin immediately:
Click Host a Meeting from the top tool bar.
Choose whether you want to use video or just audio or share screen only.
Once the meeting has begun, go to Meeting at the top & click Invite to invite participants.
At the bottom of every tab presented to you (Contacts, Zoom Rooms, Room System, Email, and Phone), you’ll see Copy Invite Link and Copy Invitation. You can click either “Copy” option and then paste that information into an e-mail message to invited participants.
Technical Help with Zoom
If you have questions about using Zoom, please contact Rick Pilaro or Steve Rife, the Lewis Center Technical Team, at LewisCtr-TECH@princeton.edu.
Questions about Creative Writing?
If you have other questions about the CWR Program, classes, theses, etc., please contact: Program Associate Erin West erin.west@princeton.edu Office Assistant Katie Welsh kwelsh@princeton.edu
