By DeVry University
March 16, 2022
5 min read
March 16, 2022
5 min read
Speaking in front of people can be nerve-wracking, and if you've never had to introduce yourself in an online class before, you might be a little bit nervous about what to say.
In this article, we’ll talk about how you introduce yourself in an online college class, tips to improve your introduction and examples of what a good class introduction might look like in the following sections:
You might discover that introducing yourself in an online class is easier than you think.
First step: put a face to your name. By uploading a high-quality picture of yourself into your student profile, you’ll be easy to recognize for both your professor and your classmates.
For this photo, you should present yourself as professionally as possible. You'll also want to take the photo against a neutral background that isn’t distracting and allows your face to be clearly visible. Ideally, your face should be framed in the center of the photo.
If possible, have someone else take your photo, as these tend to look more professional than a selfie. If no one is available to take the photo for you, set your phone to take a picture on a timer so you can frame the shot beforehand.
Your student profile is just as important as your actual introduction. Not only is it a place where you can recap everything you say in your introduction, but you’ll have more room to go into details about your interests, career goals, education and background to help people get to know you better.
Introducing yourself doesn’t have to be a painful experience. If you’re nervous, keep it brief and personable. If you’re not, feel free to add a little more detail. How you approach it is totally up to you, but here are some things you can mention:
Talk about what you do: If you’re working, you might choose to share your job title, the company you work for and a few key responsibilities you oversee. If you’re focusing on your studies, you can share the program you’re enrolled in, when you plan to graduate and what you hope to do once you’ve earned your degree.
Mention your hobbies: Mentioning your hobbies can be a great way to connect with other students in the class. You never know who has the same interests and sharing what you like to do may help you build new relationships.
Explain what you hope to get out of the class: This one is optional, but a good thing to include nevertheless. Even if your professor doesn’t specifically ask this question, it can be a great way to show them that you’re invested in the course. Mentioning a skill you want to learn, a certain area of business you want to expand your knowledge on or a credential you’re hoping to add to your resume are great ways to answer this question.
When it's finally time to introduce yourself to the class, make sure to present yourself in a professional yet friendly manner. You don't have to be overly formal, but it’s important to show that you’re well prepared.
If your introduction is via video, use clear, concise language and make sure that you speak loudly enough to be heard. Not everyone has a perfect internet connection or great speakers, so speaking as clearly as possible is a big help for everyone.
If your introduction is written on the class discussion board, for example, you’ll have a little more time to finesse your thoughts. Be sure to proofread your introduction before posting it to ensure that it’s free of any typos or grammatical errors.
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In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org. The University’s Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Arlington Campus: 1400 Crystal Dr., Ste. 120, Arlington, VA 22202. DeVry University is authorized for operation as a postsecondary educational institution by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, www.tn.gov/thec. Lisle Campus: 4225 Naperville Rd, Suite 400, Lisle, IL 60532. Unresolved complaints may be reported to the Illinois Board of Higher Education through the online complaint system https://complaints.ibhe.org/. View DeVry University’s complaint process https://www.devry.edu/compliance/student-complaint-procedure.html Program availability varies by location. In site-based programs, students will be required to take a substantial amount of coursework online to complete their program.
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