Thursday, September 19, 2013

Tips For Learning More Effectively Online

Online learning has become much more prevalent in recent times. Colleges, schools and independent publishers are providing courses and qualifications in ever increasing numbers which are reliant on online resources. Some people naturally prefer the online learning environment to a class-based approach. Colleges too prefer the lower costs of delivering their materials in this way. But what impact does this have on the quality of learning?

You may already feel comfortable learning in the online environment, and many of us effectively do this in our daily lives anyway. However, there are ways to ensure you are learning most effectively, no matter the subject or purpose of your study online.

Online learning vs. traditional learning environments make it possible to provide a range of tools, resources, and learning materials. The days of confining academic study to crusty old books appear to be numbered – students are now able to watch videos, learn from infographics and read reports into the subjects they are researching, all without leaving their homes. To learn effectively in this environment, it is critical that you meet your workload, and that you try to digest as wide a range of the available content as possible.


Image source: http://www.imanighana.com/file/2013/07/online-learning.jpg



Difficult subjects and areas of study are to be expected, regardless of the level and subject you are studying. One of the main benefits of online learning rears its head in these scenarios. Learners can take their time over materials, chewing over more complex ideas on a timeframe that suits their own needs. If there is something you don’t understand, revisit it. Consume content on a rolling basis, and feel free to revisit resources as you consolidate and revise. The more you use these resources and materials, the better the results you will be able to achieve from your study. Take full advantage of the online medium to make sure you are thoroughly comfortable with course content before moving on.

When you are learning online, it can be easy to get distracted. Social media, news sites, IM – there are plenty of distractions that can sap your time and divert your attention away from what is most important, i.e. your studies. Turn off the TV, shut off the radio. When it comes time to study, you need to knuckle down and treat the process as seriously as you would treat it in a physical environment. The right attitude is 90% of what makes a successful learner, and maintaining focus in the online learning environment will enable you to fully digest the materials and content associated with your course.


Image source: http://www.edudemic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/online-learning2.jpg

The online learning environment is being utilized by an increasing number of education providers. Multimedia content that can be delivered to wide numbers of people instantly will have an enduring appeal, and it looks certain to be a more central part of education and training in the years to come. By taking full advantage of the format, and treating your studies with equal application as class-based learning, online delivery can be a more convenient, equally as effective means of engaging with complex topics.

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