Practising digital studying

The adjustment to studying online may mean a new experience for you. We have compiled some guidance for you.

Consider netiquette

• Treat fellow students politely and friendly in the same way as you would do face to face. Clear understandings are important for working well together and for avoiding misunderstandings. It can be very helpful to put down the next steps and agreements made in writing when it comes to teamworking or other discussions.
• Arriving punctually at online events is also a part of ‘netiquette’ Please make sure you arrive in time to synchronous events such as video or audio conferences. Allow for some extra time in order to be able to rectify any technical problems that may occur
• Ask your lecturer about which channels of communication they prefer: Forums in Moodle? E-mail? Are there any online or telephone office hours? Try to clarify any lack of clarity (e.g. unclear tasks or deadlines) as soon as possible with the lecturers.

Digital studies means more self-study

A thorough preparation and wrap-up is always necessary. You are ‘supplied’ with less knowledge. Instead of that, you are given tasks and material with which you acquire your own knowledge yourself. Allow for fixed timeframes in your daily routine to prepare the tasks or materials provided online. Anticipate the fact that studying online is more time-consuming than you are possibly used to. 

You can find further pointers towards organising your digital studies yourself here:

Self-management in times of e-learning

Pointers for e-learning  (german)

Studying together 

As is the case with attendance studies, it is important and helpful to get to know your fellow students. Manage your profile in Moodle and upload a photo – this also makes life easier for the lecturers. 

Make use of the round of introductions in the courses. Maybe even propose this yourself and use Mahara. The Mahara platform is open to all students. You can form groups there, share content, swap notes and present your own content. Your data is stored in compliance with data protection on the servers of the Viadrina and you decide for yourself who can view it.

Make use of advisory services

Make use of the many free-of-charge advisory services such as the

• Central Student Advisory Service 
• Studienfachberatung der Fakultäten
• Student Advisory Service Faculty of Law 
• Student Advisory Service Faculty of Business Administration and Economics
• Student Advisory Service of Social and Cultural Sciences
• Psychologische Beratung

in order to let yourself be helped with your challenges.

Commitment matters

You contribute towards the organisation of the classes! Student commitment also plays an important part in digital studies. Play a part and introduce your ideas and give your fellow students and lecturers feedback.

Link pointer for student commitment in digital times What we wish for ourselves – student requirements of digital studies