NCLBGC VIRTUAL CLASS REQUIREMENTS

NCLBGC VIRTUAL CLASS REQUIREMENTS

Computer or Device

  • You must participate in this course from a computer or device with a working camera and microphone. You will be required to be on camera and be heard if asked a question. While not encouraged, a tablet may be used. Please know that on a tablet some functions of Zoom can be limited. Access by cell phone is not allowed as the connection can be broken when calls come in, this is an NCLBGC rule.
  • A hard-wired connection directly to the internet is highly recommended, as Wi-Fi connections can result in intermittent connectivity. Participants who cannot maintain connection throughout the class will be at risk for not receiving certification and need to take the course again. The instruction provider has the right to remove any participant from the meeting for failure to stay connected as it not only causes you to miss information, it is also a distraction to the instructor and other participants. Please test your connection prior to the day of class. The HBAF does not issue refunds or give course credit for connectivity issues.

Zoom Platform

  • If you are a first-time Zoom user and have never downloaded the Zoom desktop application (or have but want to be more familiar), please visit: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-Joining-a-Meeting This link will walk you through the process to set up an account and will test your camera and microphone. It even lets you do a test Zoom! It is free, easy, and worth the few minutes to be sure you are comfortable.
  • If you are a returning Zoom user, please be sure you have the current version of Zoom. If you do not, Zoom will require you to update before you can join the meeting which will slow you down. To check your version, use this link to test Zoom, https://zoom.us/test. If your version is out of date, it will automatically update. Do this the day before your class to ensure the most current version.
  • Within Zoom, you will be asked to set your name. This will be seen under your image. Proctors must match you to the official registration list for you to receive credit.
  • To match with NCLBGC records, use your Qualifier Name as it is found on the NCLBGC website: https://nclbgc.org/qualifier-search/
  • Please use the following format: Last Name, First Name [e.g. Brown, Robert E.]  If you are sharing a screen with another GC, list names in alpha order: Last Name, First Name & Last Name, First Name [e.g. Brown, Robert E. & Smith, Thomas C.] Credit will not be given if a name is not listed.
  • Please take time to familiarize yourself with Zoom platform features, such as how to turn your camera and microphone off/on within Zoom, as well as the location of the chatbox.

Course Materials

  • Course materials will be emailed to participants 5 days before the class.
  • It will be helpful for these to be printed out and used for notetaking. Some materials will have fill-in-the-blanks to help save time. Other materials are designed as reference documents for you to use later.
  • While these are your materials, NCBI asks that you do not share this proprietary information with other individuals and/or organizations who might use them to create courses of their own.
  • The classroom Zoom link will be emailed the day before class.

Check-In Process

  • The check-in process will be recorded for our records and may be shared with NCLBGC if there is expected fraud. Registrants are encouraged to cover any portion of their government id that they feel contains sensitive information, without blocking their name and photo.
  • You will be emailed an assigned time frame to log-into Zoom. We will have a rolling check-in process by the first letter of your last name.  All students must be checked in and ready to go by 7:50 a.m. when all housekeeping instructions will be given.  Education will begin sharply at 8:00 a.m.
  • Early Check-In may be offered beginning at 6:30 am.  Once checked in, you can turn off your video and walk away from your computer until 7:50 am. Early check-in does not mean you have to sit there for an hour.
  • When you click Join the Meeting, you will be placed in a virtual waiting room and participants will be allowed into the meeting one at a time.
  • Upon entry into the class, you will be required to enable your camera (Start Video) and unmute your microphone.
  • You will need to show a photo ID for verification of identity.  For protection, you may cover anything on your Driver’s License (or Passport, Military ID, etc.) except your name and photo.
  • When holding the ID up to the camera, please state your name (Qualifier Name) and then spell your last name.  After your identity is verified and matched to the registration list, please mute your microphone and turn off your camera (Stop Video). Please keep Zoom open.
  • Housekeeping instructions will begin promptly at 7:50 am with instruction beginning at 8:00 am.  Those participants who do not arrive in the waiting room in ample enough time to get checked-in prior to the start of instruction will not be allowed in the class.

Class Proctors

  • All courses are required by the Licensing Board to have proctors with eyes on participants during instruction.  Those proctors will be watching to ensure participants remain in the course to receive credit.  There are times when life cannot wait just because you are in a class (i.e. restroom).  If something arises that cannot be handled during a break, the proctor will track the time the participant is not on camera.  If the absence tallies to longer than 10 minutes per class (not including breaks), that participant cannot receive credit for the class.
  • There may arise a time when bandwidth becomes an issue.  One quick way to solve that is for some participants to turn off their cameras for a time.  If that happens, proctors may use the chatbox to randomly select a participant whose camera is not on and send a private message (i.e. “Steve Jones, are you there?”).  If the participant does not respond, they will send a second message privately.  If there is no response after that, the proctor will start tracking time.  This is another reason why it is critical to have your chat box open.
  • If you are on camera, but appear to be sleeping, working on something else, or otherwise not engaged with the instructor, the proctor may also privately message you.
  • Proctors have the responsibility to look for obvious distractions from course participation. (like someone getting up and walking away, laying their head down for a nap, taking phone calls or working on another computer)

Course Completion

At the end of each course, the HBAF, as the Education Provider, will submit all required information to the NC Licensing Board for General Contractors. A certificate of completion will be emailed to all participants within one week of their class. Participants do not need to submit course completion to the NCGCLG.

Virtual Education Etiquette

DO

  • Wear clothes – not sure how people seemed to have forgotten they didn’t put on a pair of pants
  • Check your background – some people have, let’s say, interesting choices in art
  • Check the lighting – if you sit with a window to your back, it is likely those on the call will only see your silhouette, and this is work, not Dateline
  • Mute your microphone when you are not talking to avoid background noise – shuffling papers will sound very loud and no one wants to hear your significant other belting out Bohemian Rhapsody from the shower

DON’T

  • Don’t disengage– it is important that you aren’t taking calls, texting, using another computer to do work, watching tv, putting your head down, or wearing sunglasses to hide your nodding off
  • Wear your PJs – while working from home might typically involve those comfy flannels, you need to wear something you would, at a minimum, go to the grocery store in – but no one will notice you’re wearing your Wookie slippers unless you plan on doing handstands
  • Hold your meeting in your bed – does this really need further explanation?
  • Move around – besides the obvious, like tripping over your sleeping dog, watching you move about your house or office is distracting to others
  • Use the bathroom – You think I don’t need to mention this, well I do (the internet never forgets) –always remember when the camera is on, folks

REMEMBER YOU ARE ON VIDEO