You can now choose what, how, and where you want to learn without having to worry about location, time, or sometimes even money. Perhaps your parents and grandparents never foresaw how education would change in 20-30 years.
It allows students all over the world to have access to the classes and support of professional teachers without having to leave their rooms. It is the best way to get knowledge.
Although remote learning is convenient, it has pitfalls such as lacking motivation, concentration, or organization skills. What can you do to ensure online learning is effective? Keep reading to know about five tactics for the online school that every online learner must employ.
1. Communicate with other students
You can easily socialize even if you are far away from your fellow students by entering the common chat in your online course. You can simply chat just like with regular classmates, discuss assignments, or assist one another with studies.
Through such communication, you will not only have the opportunity to make new friends and make your studies more interesting, but you will also be able to retain more information when reviewing your peers’ discussions
2. Take notes effectively
The method that students use to take notes is one of the most important aspects of studying. However, most students don’t pay close attention to the way that they take notes, which may negatively affect their performance.
There are notes-taking methods that have been proven to work for any format of learning – online or in a traditional learning institution. Here are some of the most effective note-taking methods that have been known to be successful:
- The Cornell Method: consists of a few sections, such as a title, keywords, questions, and a brief summary, and is unique because of its page layout. (Refer to link below)
- The Boxing Method: In this method, the lecture material is broken down into logical parts that are written in small boxes, which is helpful for visual learners since it implies breaking information into visual components. (Refer to link below)
- The Charting Method: It is the most convenient method of taking notes in a history class or when comparing things according to characteristics. With this method, you can use charts to jot down the main aspects of different terms, events, or facts. (Refer to link below)
- The outline method: If you often take notes on broad topics or have to adjust to the fast pacing of your lecturer, the outline method is for you. It is similar to the outline you usually write when writing an essay or any other type of academic paper. It implies using the outline technique and making sure you follow the lecturer’s instructions. (Refer to link below)
- References
It is therefore crucial that you choose a note-taking method based on the topic and presentation format of the lecture. However, you cannot know which method will work best for you until you try some of these methods. Sometimes, students combine these methods to maximize their effectiveness.
3. Take short breaks
It is one of the core advantages of online learning that students are able to schedule their studies according to their busy schedules and devote time to them accordingly. While this is an important advantage, it often results in long breaks between lessons and study sessions.
You can spend your time and money in vain if you take many long breaks between sessions, as this means that you will not be able to gain enough knowledge.
Our memory is an intricate system, which requires repetition from time to time. If you re-read your notes or textbook every once in a while, you will probably forget almost everything you have learned no matter how much else you perceive throughout the day that replaces information you previously learned.
4. Plan your time
In addition to taking up a lot of our time, procrastination decreases our productivity, especially when it comes to activities that don’t seem so important. However, many students suffer from lack of motivation and self-discipline, which is usually explained by “lack of time.”
It is however important to schedule online classes just as we do for regular classes in school. That’s because it facilitates students’ time management and gets them ready for new study sessions. When your brain becomes used to the classes you typically attend, you’re more likely to prepare for new sessions.
5. Self-motivation is key
You must be motivated to continue learning online. If you are having trouble staying motivated, try the following tips.
Plan your short-term goals, such as passing a test, finishing a book, completing an assignment, etc. Track your progress and you will be more aware of your progress.
Make sure to remember why you do what you do. You are taking this course for a reason, but with time you might forget. It is a good idea to write down your main goal on a piece of paper and place it somewhere you will see it often. Even a vision board or collage can be created.
Remember to develop a positive mental attitude. Sometimes studying can feel overwhelming and challenging to the point where you want to quit your courses. Remind yourself that every task the teacher gives you is manageable.
Organizing your workspace will help you stay motivated and inspired. Creating a comfortable and distraction-free workspace can help you become more productive and happier. You can handle any study program if you are motivated. Even if you were held back by procrastination, a teacher can arrange for a private class for you, or you can hire a tutor to help you with certain assignments. Don’t give up and stay positive.
