What you need for online lessons

All our lessons are online, in our lesson room. You reach it through NSEMM Learn. This page tells you what you need, and how to check it before the first lesson.

Your device

A laptop or desktop computer works best. The bigger screen makes it easier to see shared work and to use the whiteboard.

A computer needs:

• Windows 10 or newer, macOS 10.14 or newer, ChromeOS or Linux;
• at least 4GB of memory (RAM). 8GB is better;
• a working camera and microphone, built in or plugged in;
• headphones with a microphone, if you can. They stop echo and cut background noise.

A phone or tablet can work if you have nothing else, but some features are harder to use. If you use one:

• iPhone 6s or newer, or iPad (5th generation) or newer, with iOS 14 or newer. Safari works best;
• Android 8.0 or newer. Chrome works best.

Your camera must be on for the whole lesson, so please make sure it works. Staying safe in your lessons explains why.

Your browser

We recommend Google Chrome. Keep it up to date.

• Chrome: works best. Use one of the latest two versions.
• Firefox, Microsoft Edge (the newer one) and Safari: work well.
• Opera: may have problems.
• Internet Explorer: does not work.

Your internet connection

You need at least 2 Mbps for both download and upload. A speed test website will tell you. If your connection is slow:

• move closer to your router, or plug in with a cable;
• close other tabs and programs;
• ask others at home to pause big downloads and streaming during the lesson.

Before the first lesson

1. Open your lesson in NSEMM Learn and choose "Test Audio & Video". Follow the checks on screen.
2. When your browser asks to use your camera and microphone, choose "Allow".
3. Find a quiet place with good light where you will not be disturbed.

About 15 minutes before a lesson starts, a "Join Lesson" button appears next to it. Lessons are normally 60 minutes.

If something goes wrong

• Refresh your browser first. Your tutor will wait for you if you are having connection problems.
• Our help centre has guides on fixing camera and microphone problems, video call problems, slow performance and screen sharing.
• If a lesson cannot go ahead, tell your tutor or us as soon as you can. Cancellations and refunds explains what happens about charges.

If you do not have what you need

Email [email protected] before your first lesson and tell us what is missing, so we can look at what is possible.