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When participating in a synchronous session, remember your surroundings. It will
be distracting to other students if there are dogs barking in the background,
crying babies, or if you are recording yourself while watching TV in the living
room. Consider your synchronous session just like a residential class. You would
not take your dog or children to school, so modify your environment so you can
have a quiet place to participate in the session. Likewise, think about your
backdrop. Ideally, you record yourself in front a solid color wall or in front of a
sheet. Also be cognoscente of your attire. If you are giving a presentation to the
class, you should dress as if you were going to an interview. Business casual
would be appropriate. If you are interacting one-on-one with the instructor or
attending a session in which you are just a participant and not a presenter, you
can be a little less formal. Tank tops, shorts, and other clothes that do not
convey a professional image should be avoided. You only have one chance to
make a first impression.
As a part of your synchronous courses, you may be asked to develop a Video
Resume, create a Video Post, or write on a whiteboard. Your school will post
information to teach you how to create these. The same rules apply to creating
these as they do for appearing live in a synchronous session. Dress professionally,
record in a professional environment that is free from distractions, and act
appropriately. You should also test your equipment to ensure that the sound
quality and lighting in your videos is adequate.
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Section 7 – Becoming An Effective Online Student