Getting The Most Out Of Your eLearning Course
You have just enrolled in your first online course, but are you ready to study for it? Does it need more, less, or the same level of commitment with the traditional instructor-led class you are used to? What are the best strategies for studying online learning?
Online courses can be a more convenient, and sometimes cheaper, means of learning. If you signed up for an online class, however, sometimes concentrating on studying can be difficult. As you often absorb the material on your own time, you may struggle to stay focused. To start, create and stick to a strict study schedule. Make sure to find ways to work with online material. You may, for example, need to print out lecture notes on occasion so you can study away from the computer. Make sure to use effective study skills. Study skills that would work in any course are applicable to an online class.
Choose a study space with reliable Internet access.
You will probably need to refer to online lectures and notes when you study. Therefore, you will need a study space where your Internet access will not be interrupted. Internet access will be particularly important during things like study sessions for your class.
You can study at home, if you know you won't distract yourself. Many people, however, have difficulty concentrating when they try to study at home. This is one of the challenges of online courses.
A place like an Internet cafe usually has reliable Internet access, as do some coffee shops and restaurants. Just make sure employees won't mind you hanging around these places for long hours while you study.
You can also try a library.
Set a time to log onto your class each day.
Maintaining a strict schedule is vital to success in an online course. Even though you may not be required to attend classes or lectures at particular times, you still need to keep up with the course material on your own time. Therefore, self-discipline is important. Set a time each week to log onto the class and study materials.
You may have some regular lecture times you need to attend. However, you should also make time on your own end for review. This is especially important if you're required to review some of the course material on your own.
To make an online class feel as vigorous as an in-person course, choose the same times and days to login each week. Set a specific timeframe for how long you'll read and review materials. You can, for example, log in from 2 o'clock to 4 o'clock Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to study.
Make a calendar to follow.
Oftentimes, deadlines won't be as obvious in an online course. As you won't be attending lectures every day, where you'll be reminded of due dates, making a calendar for your own reference is important. Add information as it becomes available, such as from emails from your instructor or notifications from the course.
You can make a physical calendar for yourself if you study at home. Write down things like the dates papers are due and the dates of tests and quizzes. This will help let you know when you need to start committing to reviewing materials.
You can also make a calendar on your phone or laptop. This may be more helpful if you don't study at home, as you'll be able to refer to it while you're out studying.