Podcast Episode 8: Study Tips for Online Classes
The COVID-19 Pandemic has essentially changed the way that education looks for many people in the world. In the United States alone, online/virtual/remote learning has increased by astronomical numbers. That number increases as the number of COVID-19 cases continue to grow and become more widespread.
Online learning can be great, but the problem is that despite its growing popularity, many people are new to it, and even worse, some are feeling “forced” to partake in virtual learning due to school closures or lack of other options.
As a former online student and a current online teacher, I can confidently say that it possible to be successful in an online classroom, but not without some organization and discipline. In today’s episode, I will be sharing my tips and secrets to success in an online learning environment.
- Create a distraction-free learning environment
- Choose an area in your home where you have the fewest distractions
- Stock your learning area with supplies to minimize your need to retrieve items
- Read all course materials provided
- Highlight and take notes
- Ask clarifying questions, if needed
- Actively participate in class
- If there are opportunities to participate in the discussion either virtually or via chat, do it.
- Make a study plan
- Be specific with your study plan. Set specific dates/times for studying and stick with the plan.
- Set study goals
- Have a targeted goal for each study session. What topics will you study? What concept with you review? What pages will you read? Which terms will you define? Be specific and realistic with your goals.
- Create flashcards when appropriate
- Paper flashcards
- Quizlet
- Limit social media use during class/study time
- Turn off notifications while you are in class or studying
- A short glimpse could turn in to 15-20 minutes of wasted time
- Use online resources and tools
- Familiarize yourself with online resources and tools. There are so many tools available to help with productivity and also to help guide you through lessons.
- Chat features, ancillary materials, graphic organizers are just a few examples
- Take breaks
- When you are feeling overwhelmed or tired, take a short break. Set a timer to get a drink of water, stand up, walk around the room, or whatever you need to do to recharge and reset so that you can power through your assignments.
It is possible to be successful with online learning. I’ve taken and taught classes online and I’ll be the first to say that it was a learning curve and something that I got better with over time.
Find me online and tell me how your online teaching or learning experience is going. I’m on Facebook at Whatcherithinks or you can visit my website at www.whatcherithinks.com.
Thanks for tuning in and I’ll see you next week.
