E-Learning is now the best option for many tertiary institutions. Secondary schools and even some basic schools have also adopted the same in view of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. When it comes to virtual learning, it is very important to get things in order to make learning enjoyable and interesting. In this article, you will learn 7 perfect tips to make the best out of your E-Learning.
To begin with, let me introduce you to some of the facts that make this worth the try.
You would, probably, agree with me that in these trying times of the global COVID-19 spread, we can only expect uncertainties in our daily lives. Our daily routines may get unstable and we may waver in some activities that often could have been done better. When it comes to lockdowns as a result of Coronavirus spread, we often see our normal activities affected.
However, we cannot forget the fact that certain things will only be kept going; drinking (hey! we’re talking about water here), eating, home-working, learning, teaching and sleeping. But how do we enjoy all these? I recently authored an article that answers exactly this question.
For a fact, all classes of people suffer from the impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and students are one group who are suffering the most. Learning activities seem to be melting down. So, the question is how can students enjoy their lessons from home during COVID-19 lockdown?
When it comes to learning, you would agree that studying outside the physical classroom environment, can be very boring. No friends to assist with difficult topics, no friends to enjoy your break with. Virtual learning can really get boring, but there are some practical steps you can adopt to turn the table around, from boring to enjoying! Find the seven important tips to make your e-learning very satisfying and proficient. Ready?
Make a personal learning plan
In the normal physical learning setting, your lesson is planned by the education division of your country, your school’s academic management and your teacher. With virtual learning, the case is no different as your school or any institution acting in support, or in place of your school and your teacher will prepare your lessons.
This time, your timetable is a bit flexible. Yes, you can adjust certain things and even learn at your own pace. To get the best out of your virtual learning, it’ll be good if you plan how you’ll be studying at home. Yes, plan things like; time to start lessons, time to break, time to continue the lesson and even time to end the lesson!
Nonetheless, you should be careful not to skip lessons as this can be very detrimental to your overall academic progress. What if pressing issues will not allow you to follow a particular lesson in time? Make a recording of the learning session or save the lesson for a better time and don’t forget to get back to it. The key is to work at your own pace. What next?
Take notes, it’ll help you in the near future
Taking notes during lessons are very important in every learning activity, whether in a physical learning environment (classroom) or in a virtual learning space. This is so because the notes you ink down will prove to be useful for future reference. Interestingly, for virtual classes, the notes you write will help you remember lessons as you watch them.
It’ll also be useful for reviewing later. Example? When you are given assignments to complete, it will be very easier and time-saving to refer to written or saved notes instead of going online to re-watch or reopen a lesson for back-reference. So here you come, once again, it will be very insightful on your part to save or write down notes during electronic learning sessions, especially with video or audio lessons. Should we take a break?
Take a break between sessions
This is not a time to stress yourself out, enjoy some freedom that you won’t even get during a physical class. Don’t combine more than three learning sessions. Do your work in blocks to lessen the strain. After finishing one lesson, take a five-minute break before moving on. Depending on your lesson sessions, take about fifteen minutes to break in between appropriate periods of lessons. Again, don’t rest too much.
If you break too much, you only get broken. But then, during your breaks in lessons, what can be done to refresh you for the next lesson? You can do a series of simple body stretches, take some cold glass of water or soft drink (in case it’s a hot day class) or do anything thing appropriate for refreshing your brain (OK, tell me more in the comment section. I’ll read them later, that’s a promise). These exercises will work to reduce stress and spark your preparedness for the next lesson at hand. There’s more to keep you going!
Reward yourself, it’s called self-motivation
Studying at home isn’t easy. For each small success, you make during your virtual lessons, such as answering questions posed by your instructor, guessing things right among other things, reward yourself. Always be proud of your accomplishments.
Note down some things you did well, take a moment, and be thankful to yourself for achieving something new. Pause your lesson for seconds, clap for yourself, sing or dance small as a way of celebrating your achievements. Nothing feels “sweeter” than personal motivation, just be careful so as not to carry yourself away for too many celebrations at a time! Yes, that’s it but there is something you should avoid. Let’s see!
Try as much as possible to avoid multitasking
If you have multiple lessons to complete within a day or period of time, Always try to finish one lesson before moving to the next. Do one assignment before another. Combining multiple lessons or assignments will only increase your workload and further decrease your interest. For the best learning experience, always resolve to lessen multitasking.
However, do not skip lessons for no good reasons and always remember to submit assignments on time. Don’t forgo quizzes. These are essential for tracking your progress and your overall academic achievements. So the point is, while you try your best to lessen multitasking, you also do well to be smart in working assignments and quizzes. Again, do not skip assignments or “shun” quizzes. There’s more you can do!
Keep your routine
For a better learning experience, always remember to treat your day as if you’re going to school in a physical classroom environment. Your daily learning routine should be kept but significantly in a more flexible way. During your offline study activities, you probably got up early in the morning to prepare for school. Ask yourself, “What was some of the things I always did before, during and after my school sessions?”. Try to shape some of your former activities into your virtual learning experience.
For example; you may find it very helpful to get up early, take a shower, take your breakfast and then start your study sessions. This is very important because forgoing your old routine completely may spark an uncomfortable feeling about your new learning method. If this issue is not properly controlled, your whole learning experience could be ruined. However, always remember to be flexible in dealing with your online (or electronic) learning activities. You may not go without your friends, so?
Engage with other learners, share ideas
You definitely agree with me that a good learning experience is enhanced by the sharing of ideas. You may not grasp the content clearly always, and for a fact, what you don’t understand may actually “go down well” with another student. Certainly, at another time, the concept you will capture may not be captured by another learner.
This is how life works in the learning space. It is therefore beneficial to ask for help and also assist others when they seek your assistance. This works perfect for classroom learning and your virtual classroom is no exception, always connect with other learners when your instructor is done teaching, share ideas and make sure you exchange positive ideas on the lessons taught.
Now, it’s time for revision. What have you learned so far? I’ll help you with the revision. Let’s take a recap of the main points for a reward!
The bottom line
Putting everything together? Well, to ensure a better experience during home learning, probably because of the recent COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, students should adopt practical strategies to enhance their virtual learning sessions. What have we learnt so far?
- Make a plan
- Take notes
- Take a break
- Be proud of your achievements
- Do one thing at a time
- Keep your routine
- Share ideas
Actually, a conducive environment, one which is out of distractions, is very important for virtual learning just as in the physical classroom environment. You don’t want to forget that, right? This is not an exhaustive list, anyway, there are countless things you can do to make your virtual learning sessions at home interesting and beneficial.
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