Participant guide to live online courses

If you would like to download this information, click on the "More" button at the top of the page, then select "Print this chapter" and print to pdf.

1. Live online courses at GESIS Training

Live online courses are courses that are held fully remotely, that is, both lecturers and participants join online via Zoom. Content is provided in the form of live teaching as well as optional, additional reference materials (e.g., slides, readings) that participants can access up to 4 weeks after the end of the course. Lecturers are available to support participants through various remote-communication tools.

We have created this guide to help you navigate the live online learning environment. Please review this information carefully before your course starts.

2. Get started on our learning platform

Our online learning platform is the place where you will find all course-relevant information and materials as well as have the chance to get in touch with your lecturer and/or other participants before the start of the course. Make sure to register for the platform and join your course in due time so you can prepare optimally and get all the latest updates!

2.1 Create an account and join your course

Go to elearning.gesis.org and click “Log in” in the top right corner. You can log in using your GESIS user account. If you don't have a GESIS user account yet, sign up here. Once you are signed in, click on the link to your course that we sent you via email. You will be asked to enter the enrollment code we have sent you via email upon registration.

2.2 Complete the pre-course work

Check the syllabus and/or learning platform for any preparatory work that might have been allocated to your course, such as pre-course readings, recordings, or assignments. Any pre-course work must be completed before the start of the course.

2.3 Check course times

Make sure you have familiarized yourself with course times. These are indicated in the course syllabus. All times are in German local time (CET / CEST).

2.4 Netiquette

GESIS Training is committed to providing a respectful, safe, and inclusive environment for everyone at its events. We value friendly and constructive interaction among all participants, lecturers, and staff, and we want the learning and teaching atmosphere to be characterized by respect, appreciation, trust, and recognition of diversity. We therefore ask you to review and follow our Netiquette.

2.5 Familiarize yourself with Zoom

GESIS Training uses Zoom for all live online courses. You will be able to access all Zoom meetings directly from our learning platform.

Make sure you can get the most out of your remote participation by checking you have a working installation and Zoom account and by familiarizing yourself with any features you may need to use. Zoom provides a handy guide on attendee controls.

3. Start your course remotely

You are all set up for your course to start! Now all you need to do is connect via Zoom and start learning.

Connecting to any live session is an easy two-step process:

Find and click the link to your live session on our learning platform.
Follow the Zoom prompts to connect.

If possible, please switch on your camera as this promotes engagement and learning success. Feel free to use a virtual background if you are worried about privacy. Please make sure to mute your microphone whenever you are not speaking. Please note that you will only receive a course certificate if you have attended at least 80% of your course, so it is important to use your full name in Zoom for us to register your attendance!

If you experience any technical issues, contact a member of the GESIS Training staff via the Zoom chat or send an email to training-help@gesis.org.

4. Engage with your lecturer(s) and other participants

GESIS Training events are not only prime opportunities for learning, but also for networking with other like-minded individuals. In a live online course, your primary means of communication with other participants and your lecturer(s) will be Zoom: You can use reactions to give immediate feedback during a presentation, post any questions or comments in the chat, and collaborate in small groups or get personalized help in breakout rooms. And, of course, you can simply speak up during the Zoom call as well.

Your lecturer(s) will specify how to best get help during the course – this may, for example, be via Zoom chat, via email, or in breakout rooms.

5. Certificates

Participants in all GESIS Training courses can earn a certificate of attendance. For some formats, we additionally offer the option of receiving an ECTS certificate.

5.1 Certificate of attendance

You will automatically receive a certificate of attendance if you have participated in at least 80% of the course. The certificate of attendance will be available for download from our booking platform. You will be notified via email once the certificate is ready for download.

5.2 ECTS credits

Thanks to our partnership with the University of Cologne and the University of Mannheim, participants of the GESIS Spring Seminar, GESIS Summer School, and GESIS Fall Seminar courses may earn a certificate acknowledging a certain workload worth the corresponding number of European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) points. Please refer to the respective format’s website for more information on the specific conditions.

ECTS certificates will be sent via email after they have been validated by our partner universities. Please note that this process may take a couple of weeks.