What to expect in your first online class: a calm, five-minute checklist

The first class is the one that worries people most. Will the sound work? Will I understand? What if I am behind? Almost all first-class problems are small and easy to prevent. This checklist covers them, and then describes what a good first class feels like, so you know what to expect and what to ask for.

Ten minutes before the class

• Join early. Open the class link ten minutes ahead. That leaves time to fix a microphone, camera or internet problem with the teacher instead of losing class time.
• Test sound and camera. Say a sentence and ask the teacher if they can hear you clearly. Use headphones if the room is noisy, because they remove echo and make the teacher easier to hear.
• Close other apps and tabs. Games, videos and downloads slow the connection and pull attention away.
• Charge the device or plug it in, and keep a charger within reach.
• Keep a notebook, a pen and the textbook or topic you are working on. Writing by hand helps most subjects.

Which device to use

A laptop or desktop is the safest choice. It handles screen sharing, a shared whiteboard and typing code comfortably.

A tablet or phone can work for many classes, but check one thing first: screen sharing. On many tablets, including iPads, the browser cannot share the screen. If a class needs the learner to show their screen, such as a coding class, use a laptop or desktop. If it needs only a camera, a whiteboard and a notebook, a tablet is fine. Tell the teacher which device you will use and they can plan around it.

If you feel lost at the start

Nobody expects a beginner to know how to get started. In the first class:

1. Say where you are. "I know fractions but I get stuck on decimals" or "I have never written code" is the most useful sentence you can say.
2. Ask the teacher to go step by step. A good teacher slows down and checks understanding before moving on.
3. Ask for one thing to do after the class. A short task keeps the idea fresh. It should take twenty minutes, not two hours.
4. Ask how to reach the teacher if something goes wrong before the next class, such as a link that will not open.

What a good first class looks like

• The teacher asks you questions first and listens to the answers, instead of starting with a long talk.
• You do something in the class: write, solve, build or speak.
• The teacher explains clearly and at a steady pace, uses simple words, and repeats a key idea in a different way if you did not follow.
• Technical problems are sorted quickly, and the class carries on.
• At the end you know what you learned, what comes next and what to practise.

Questions parents can ask

• How long is each class, and how many learners are in it?
• Who is the teacher, and what do they teach?
• What happens if the internet drops or we miss a class?
• Is the first class free or paid, and what does it cover?
• How will you tell me how my child is doing?

We answer these before anything is booked. No honest teacher can promise marks, ranks, fluency or jobs, so be careful with anyone who does.

Frequently asked questions

Does my child need any special software?

Usually only a web browser and a stable internet connection. The teacher tells you before the class if something else is needed, such as a code editor, and helps you set it up in the first class.

What if the sound or camera does not work?

Rejoin the class, check the browser's microphone and camera permissions, and try headphones. If it still fails, switch to a phone or another device, or message the teacher. This is the most common first-class problem, and joining ten minutes early gives time to solve it.

Should a parent sit with the child?

For younger children, yes, at least for the first few classes. For older learners, stay nearby and check in at the end. See our guide to online class safety for parents.

What if my child says the first class was not good?

Tell the teacher what did not work, such as pace, difficulty or sound, and ask for a second class before deciding. Fit matters: a different teacher or format can feel very different.

This guide is general information. For exams, follow your school, teacher and official exam board, and use your own judgement about what suits your child.