Participate in live online lectures guide

Live online lectures and seminars are a great opportunity to hear expert content from your lecturer and to collaborate with your peers. To maximise your time in live online lectures, complete preparatory activities provided in Moodle and Teams and participate as fully as you can in the activities. These activities have been carefully designed by your lecturers to facilitate your learning and to provide an opportunity to apply and review the concepts about which you have learned.

The University uses Teams Meetings and Zoom as its Virtual Classrooms to deliver live online teaching sessions. Links to your live online teaching sessions will be provided in the relevant Moodle module(s) and or Teams channels. 

If live online lectures are recorded, links will be shared with your in the relevant Moodle module and/or Teams channel.

Take the time to get to know the Virtual Classrooms by reviewing this guide.

When participating in live online teaching sessions, keep these general principles in mind.

• Treat all participants with respect. If you would not say something to someone's face, do not say it to them when online.
• Be careful when using humour or sarcasm as it can easily give offence, especially when you cannot see facial expressions.
• Use clear and concise language, remember fellow students and staff may be based anywhere in the world and English may not be their first language.
• All communication should be professional and where possible include correct spelling and grammar and references where appropriate.
• Keep caps lock use in Chat to a minimum as IT CAN MAKE YOU LOOK LIKE YOU ARE SHOUTING.

• Test out software and materials in advance and make sure everything works before the session begins; give yourself a few minutes before the session starts to do this.
• If possible, use a headset to reduce other participants receiving feedback through your speakers or any background noise from your home environment.
• Make sure to turn off your microphone when not speaking, as this helps reduce echo and feedback.
• Do not talk over others; wait your turn and use the hand raise option available in Zoom or Teams to attract attention.
• If using a webcam, ensure you have appropriate lighting and dress and limit distractions. You might want to apply a virtual background to protect your privacy and the privacy of other people who might appear in the background.
• If you are sharing your screen, ensure only relevant (and appropriate) windows are open.