Taking
online courses can be very convenient for many people. However, online
learning requires time management skills, self-discipline, willpower, and
strong motivation, as it may be challenging for online learners to successfully
complete their online software courses. Below are 10 important point, We,
at RedBush technologies, ask students to think and understand. I hope all the
fraternity will be benefited from it.
1.
Understand online learning
practices and expectations.
The first thing you need to realize is that online software courses are not an easier way to
learn, but rather a more convenient one. To successfully learn online, you need
to dedicate a significant amount of your time, consistently attend the
program, be concentrated while studying, and fully commit to your learning
process, just as you would do for a regular course. You should also have in
mind that when you take an online course, you may be expected to:
o Fully
commit yourself and participate in theVirtual classroom as required.
o Be, or be
willing to become, tech-savvy.
o Work with
others effectively.
o Complete
your learning tasks and assignments on time.
o Be
self-disciplined.
If you are not able or willing to do all of the above, you will probably not be
a very happy online learner.
2.
Make sure that you have
reliable internet access. Technology glitches happen
all the time. Imagine you are working in the middle of the night and your
computer crashes. To avoid mishaps, ensure that you save your work repeatedly
and backup regularly using cloud storage, for example Dropbox or Google
Documents, in order to be able to access your previous work from your smart
phone or tablet, if needed. Furthermore, ensure that you not only have a backup
of your online course material and assignments, but also you have saved your
instructor’s or trainer's contact information in your cell phone or in your
email. A reliable internet access will also give you the opportunity to check
in, stay current with your eLearning course, and deal with sudden schedule
changes.
3.
Have a dedicated study
space.
Whether you decide to study in your office or in your living room,
ensure that this place is quiet, organized, distraction-free, and available for
use at any time. Your study environment should be one of your main concerns when
you are an online learner, so make sure that it enables your study routine.
Furthermore, ask your friends, relatives, and colleagues to respect your “work
mode” and consider turning off your phone and logging off of all social
networks when studying; you will want to be neither interrupted nor distracted.
4.
Identify your learning
objectives and goals.
To stay on track with your online course, make sure that you always keep in
mind what you hope to accomplish by the end of it. The learning
objective and goals of the eLearning course can be an excellent road map
during online learning; read carefully your online course requirements, create
notes that are closely related to your objectives, and make sure that you
review them thoroughly every time you start an assignment, so that you stay
focused on your goals. Finally, consider starting with the most difficult
tasks, as this will improve both the effectiveness of your study and your
performance.
5.
Build a study plan.
An study plan is critical to online learning. Here are some tips
to help you build it:
o Plan ahead.
Never wait until the day before an assignment due date to start working on it.
It will stress you and stress will prevent you from effectively completing the
online task. Furthermore, knowing when all of your assignments are due until
the end of the eLearning course will facilitate your time management; for
instance, if you are going on vacation in the middle of the eLearning course,
you can study ahead.
o Have an effective calendar system.
Online learning needs structure; create a study calendar that will help you
remember all important dates, like exams, or deadlines for submitting your
assignments. You can save your calendar in your computer or in your mobile
device, or you can even create a wall planner, which you can mark up and check
every time you study.
o Create to-do lists.
At the start of each week, make a to-do list of the tasks you need to complete
by the end of the week. This is an excellent way to prioritize your study plan
and stay on track with your studying.
o Set time limits.
Before you start studying, estimate how much time each task will take to
complete, whether it is a specific assignment or simply reading a chapter. Try
to stick to your time limits, as this will help you develop your
self-discipline. Furthermore, when you realize that despite your best efforts
you cannot concentrate, consider stopping for an hour or for the night; it is
better to wait until you are able to start afresh than to waste your time
trying to focus.
o Stay on schedule.
Finally, stick to your study plan. Procrastination is the worst enemy
of online learners, so make sure that you stay organized and you are not
falling behind in your online class. If you are having difficulties submitting
your assignments on time, contact your online course instructor and let them
know, so that they can help you create a consistent study routine.
6.
Ask for help when you need
it.
While it may be constructive to look for answers to your online
course-related questions independently, hesitating to contact your online
trainer when you are stuck may be problematic. If you don’t ask for help
when necessary, you may end up falling behind, which may lower your
self-esteem, as you may not be able to keep up with the online course. Build a
relationship with your online instructor and avoid misunderstandings by
contacting them regularly and informing them who you are, and how you could use
their help. By asking your online instructors to clarify problems, you will
also help them not only to evaluate learners' level of understanding of the
online material, but also to get an idea of the overall effectiveness of the
online course. Finally, due to the open nature of online courses, by
asking a question, you also help at the same time your virtual classmates, in
case they are having similar difficulties. Keep in mind that if you don’t ask
for help when you need it, your online instructor may never know that something
is wrong.
7.
Review, revise,
repeat.
Regular revisions of the things you have already studied will not only improve
yourmemory , but they will also help you better understand what you are
learning. Create your own flash cards for your key notes and quiz yourself on
the key concepts of the online course. Furthermore, consider having one or more
study partners; working in groups will
offer you alternative views of difficult concepts, motivation to
achieve better results, and help in completing your online assignments more
quickly by reviewing what you have learned. Share your study notes and habits
with your virtual classmates and support each other throughout the online
learning process.
8.
Take study breaks.
Your performance will decrease if your are feeling tired
or frustrated while studying. Integrate some personal time into your study
routine and you will be able to work more effectively on your online course
goals. When taking a break, make sure that you get away from your study space;
you need to have a change of scenery. A mild physical activity, such as a walk
around the block, will help you maintain balance, renew energy, and go back to
studying with a clear mind.
9.
Participate in online
discussions.
Online learning doesn’t necessarily mean learning in isolation. Connecting with
your virtual classmates on social media or your
online course’s forum will enhance tremendously your eLearning experience,
especially if you are an introvert and visual barriers hinder you in expressing
yourself. Participate actively in online discussions and group
activities, suggest study tricks, offer your input on the eLearning course,
and engage in new
ideas. Just ensure that you are mindful of your online tone; be respectful when
you disagree with other members of your online group, and always write in
complete and clear sentences to avoid misunderstandings and tone mishaps.
10.
Stay motivated.
Finally, don’t underestimate the effort needed to fully commit to your online
course. To make sure that you stay motivated and engaged in your
online learning experience, consider following these tips:
o Feel free
to create your study routine at your own comfortable pace.
o Decorate
your study space with inspirational quotes and pictures.
o Never
forget the reason why you took this online course.
o Accept
that you will have productive and less productive days.
o Have
healthy snacks nearby to boost your energy.
o Reward
yourself every time you complete a challenging task.
o Make sure
that you take some time for yourself from time to time.
o Stay
positive and keep your chin up.
Follow
these study tips for online learners and you will be able to make
your online learning a fun and enjoyable eLearning experience.
Thank You
Team
RedBushTechnologies.com
Please enroll for a FREE demo at :- http://www.redbushtechnologies.com/