4 Amazing Tips For Successful Online Learning

When the pandemic struck in 2020, teaching in schools moved from classrooms to a Zoom

screen. While teachers struggled to master the new technology, students tried to stay engaged. 

As students struggle with online courses, they fall back on routines such as re-studying a textbook or underlining important passages. Although these might make them feel they are familiar with the material, studies have found this is the least effective way to learn. Fortunately, there are some specific study habits that have been proven to help students to get much more out of online learning. 

Engage with your subjects

In the same way you would take notes when attending a lecture, it is a good idea to do the same while listening to or watching an online lecture. Sit in a comfortable place, have a notebook and pen handy and try to keep any other distractions to a minimum. 

You may also try drawing or creating diagrams and infographics – both are great tools to help you to learn fast. This will be especially helpful for some language classes. Instead of using foreign language skills to write down, you can draw diagrams to help you speed the process and keep on track to the session. If you can get words and images working together, it give you two ways to remember what you have learnt.

Ask questions

Not being in a classroom might make it seem more awkward to ask questions. Asking questions not only help to clarify things you don’t understand, but also enable you to make connections. 

A study found that people who asked questions while studying could memorize knowledge better. To harness that power, online learners can communicate with their classmates via the chat-function. Even just posing a question helps.

Time management 

One of the biggest benefits of online learning is flexibility, but too much freedom can pose new challenges.You should try these methods to optimize your time and keep your learning on track.

• Plan ahead: Online learning is designed to be modular and flexible. It’s important to have frequent engagement with your studies throughout the week. Provide plenty of time to space out your required readings, assignments, and online discussions. Be planful and dedicate time to learn as you would to exercise or spend time with friends.
• Focus on the deadlines: Add important due dates to a calendar so you don’t miss important deadlines.
• Removing the distractions: As much as you can, minimize distractions both in your physical environment and your digital environment. Close web browser windows not relevant to your learning, keep the TV off, etc.

Those are the foremost effective time-management skills that you should practice in order to get the best result for your online education. 

Logistics

Make relevant information easily accessible: Collect the phone numbers, email addresses, and support links for your institution in one place so, if and when you need it, you don’t have to go hunting. 

If the course requires video conferencing software, download the app and test well before a live lecture begins. If assignments are uploaded to a cloud service such as Google Drive, make sure you have the required basic technical skills or access information in advance of a deadline.

Always remember to save your work locally on your computer and/or in the cloud where you can easily access. For example, draft essays in a word processing application or in an email to yourself then cut and paste your work into the course learning management system to turn in your assignment.