These stories about student’s tutorial experiences suggest students can find it helpful to be able to see their tutor.

With my previous tutors, the first time we’ve really interacted has been at a face-to-face session and that’s been quite helpful in putting a face to the voice that you hear online. There isn’t the opportunity for face-to-face on this module, so it was quite nice when you used the webcam just to put a face to the voice and kind of build a picture of who it is you’re communicating with as your tutor (Samantha, student).

As the tutor is chatting, I’m googling their name, just to see what they look like, to see if the voice matches. It’s nice to put a face to a voice, like when you had your camera up at your first tutorial. That was nice, cos I could see ya. I definitely like a face to face. It felt more personal. Like, there, she’s there. And I’m waving and I don’t think you could see me because I don’t think our camera works (Steve, student).