Studying Online;Succeeding through Distance Learning at University

etiquette. They are common sense and will improve your 
engagement. 

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132 Studying online 
PracTical TiPs 
y
Relax. 
Online video is relatively new in the world of teaching. 
Both lecturers and students alike are still fnding their way with 
the technology. So, don’t expect Hollywood productions and 
don’t imagine that you need to be brilliant with video either. 
Everyone is still experimenting and getting used to this technol-
ogy, so maybe you need to lower your expectations of what is 
provided for you and what you can do yourself on video. 
y
Watch everything.
Even if you think you can skip recorded lec-
tures, make sure you watch them. Evidence shows that peo-
ple who watch the videos gain consistently higher marks. Plus, 
learning theory shows that the video enables you to understand 
things better. 
y
Get a separate camera.
Even if your laptop comes with a good 
camera, you may fnd that an extra external camera provides 
you with much better images. In turn, that will improve your 
participation in online tutorials as the others in the group will be 
able to see you better. 
y
Check your lighting and background.
Good lighting will improve 
your appearance during online video conference calls, such as 
tutorial sessions. The better you are seen, and the less distracting 
your background, the higher the level of engagement with you 
by others, thereby increasing your level of participation. 
y
Be prepared.
When you have to join an online video conference 
call, make sure you are prepared. Be presentable so that you are 
not embarrassed when asked to keep your camera switched on. 

 references 
Aaltonen, V., Takatalo, J., Hakkinen, J., Lehtonen, M., Nyman, G. and 
Schrader, M. (2009) ‘Measuring Mediated Communication Expe-
rience’,
 2009 International Workshop on Quality of Multimedia 
Experience
. San Diego, CA: IEEE, pp. 104–109. DOI: 10.1109/QO-
MEX.2009.5246967 (Accessed: 5 October 2021). 
Carmichael, M., Reid, A.-K. and Karpicke, J.D. (2018) 
Assessing the Im-
pact of Educational Video on Student Engagement, Critical Tinking 
and Learning: Te Current State of Play
. SAGE Publishing, A Sage 
White Paper. Available at: https://us.sagepub.com/sites/default/fles/ 
hevideolearning.pdf (Accessed: 4 October 2021). 

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