Student remote working from bedroom
HomeOxford studentsAcademic mattersStudy guidanceRemote study
Advice for getting the most out of remote learning at the University – from the technology you will need to the way to approach online study.
Check out our study skills advice and training for remote study We have recorded talks on remote studying to help you prepare for this year. The talks are for everyone, whether you are new to online learning or not, there is some great advice and tips to help improve your learning. The talks cover how to get the most out of remote study: You can find the talks, in the new Skills for Remote Study resource on Canvas. Tips for remote study Technology tips Equipment Any additional equipment you may need will depend on the tasks you want to accomplish. The following list covers typical tasks and the equipment needed to achieve them. Connection to the Internet Online tools You can find a host of online tools to help you learn, share files and connect with others on the IT Services webpages. Word/data processing, presentations and communication You can easily download Office by going to www.office.com, signing in with your University credentials and clicking ‘Install office’ in the upper right corner of the screen. We recommend and support the use of Microsoft Office applications for word processing, data manipulation, presentations and communication/collaboration with others. Making a video call / joining a video call or tutorial Audio requirements Video requirements Web browsing Keeping secure You can find a whole host of online tools to support your learning, share your files and connect with others on the IT Services webpages. Tips for accessing library resources and services remotely e-books and e-journals Oxford Reading Lists Online (ORLO) Scanned extracts for research Need help for your studies from a librarian?Study skills
You can do many things on your smartphone or tablet for short periods. However, to work safely for long periods of time, we recommend a computer or laptop with a screen size of at least 12 inches.
It is critical to communicate with others outside your household. Where possible we recommend a broadband connection. However, if you do not currently have broadband at home but do have a smart phone, then you can setup a mobile data connection (hotspot) instead. For guidance on how to do this refer to the help pages of your mobile phone network.
Microsoft office is available to download free while you are a student. This will give you access to the full Office suite including; Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote, Outlook etc. While these applications are available to use online, the desktop versions usually offer more functionality.
You will need a mobile phone, tablet, or computer with a camera and microphone
Your choice of browser may depend on your operating system, but popular browsers such as Chrome and Firefox are available for most. Windows 10 has the Edge browser built-in.
Whether studying on site or away from Oxford it is vitally important to keep your work secure by protecting your device(s). Sophos is the recommended antivirus software and is free to use for as long as you are a registered student at Oxford. Make sure you have backup copies of your work in separate places to avoid any losses if your machine breaks down, is compromised or lost/stolen. See the University InfoSec home working advice for more tips on secure remote studying.
Go to SOLO (the University’s Resource Discovery Tool), sign in with your Single-Sign-On (SSO) and carry out your search. Over 1.4 million e-books and 118,000 e-journals are available remotely via SOLO to members of the University, together with over 1,300 library databases.
Many departments offer online reading lists with direct links to digital resources and scanned book chapters. Access ORLO reading lists via your course's Canvas site or search for your list on ORLO.
Obtain scans of book chapters or journal articles from the Bodleian Libraries' print collections with Scan and Deliver.
Use the Live Chat service available on the Bodleian Libraries website, email our enquiry service, or contact your subject librarian.
Access Student Self ServiceSystems & Services
CAN'T FIND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR?
Try our extensive database of FAQs or submit your own question...