Online participation and communication

Check that you can connect 10 mins before the scheduled time. Test your microphone and camera if you have them. That will give you time to fix any issues you may be having.

If using WiFi, move closer to the router to make sure you have the strongest signal possible and reduce the chance of the connection dropping in the middle of the session.

Find a place where you will not be disturbed by the rest of your household (where possible)

If you will be using a web camera, try to sit so the light is in front of you and not behind you and facing it.

Check your background and where possible sit comfortably with your back to a wall.

Make sure you are dressed appropriately, same as if you were meeting in person.

If you have headphones or earphones, use them instead of speakers as it will improve the clarity of the sound you hear and you will hear less of the background noise from your environment.

If you have integrated microphone to your headphones, use that instead of any integrated ones you may have on your laptop, tablet or phone; this will ensure that the others hear you better and hear less from the background noise of your environment.

Make sure you get yourself a glass of water near you, in case you need it.

If you need to leave the session for a short while, for whatever reason, please mute your microphone and stop your camera until you come back.

Please, when attending an online class, always join initially with your microphone muted and only unmute when you are actually speaking. This will improve the quality of the sound during the session for everybody as it will reduce any background noise from all attendees.

If there is a functionality for raising a hand, use it to indicate you would like to speak.

Write emails carefully, construct them as a letter rather than a text message and always sign off with your name, year and programme in the initial communication. Please always use your student email when communicating with the University.

When writing, always use appropriately upper and lower case and proper grammar and punctuation. Do not use all upper case as this looks like you are shouting; it also makes the text more difficult to read.

It may be a good idea to read back any written communication before sending it to make sure that your tone is appropriate, and it is clear what you are trying to say.

Show dignity and respect to students and staff across all online interactions. You can do this by avoiding discriminatory language and behaviour, and by listening to and respecting different views and perspectives.