Strategies For Online Learning That Work
Online learning [1] or eLearning is a great approach to expanding your knowledge and abilities in a special, adaptable setting with its own advantages and challenges. To ensure that you succeed and make the most of everything that online learning has to offer, there are a few important factors to take into account, regardless of whether you're taking courses online for the first time or want to improve your present routines and strategies.
There is tons of stuff available to watch, read, and listen to on almost any topic in today's eLearning environment. For example, if you are in a construction profession, you may want to learn more about construction plans, or about the safety of workers at construction sites. There are many online courses available for this, but doing is not the same as knowing. Make sure you acquire new knowledge and abilities in a way that you can remember, use frequently, and adjust to different situations if you want to get the most out of online learning.
About The eLearning Market
In 2019, the worldwide eLearning market was valued at $200 billion [2]. Everyone can see how staggering these figures are. But this is not where the trend in this sector will end. Industry researchers predict that the worldwide market for online learning will grow to approximately $400 billion by 2026.
Online learning may benefit from many of the same strategies used in successful in-person learning. To be effective, online learning may call for a few more abilities, such as self-advocacy, time management, creative problem-solving, and self-direction. In this article, we will discuss some important eLearning strategies that may prove helpful in acquiring most of the online courses related to any domain. Some of them are discussed below.
Online Learning Strategies And Tactics To Get The Most Out Of eLearning
1. Make Your Learning Stick
Benefit from the well-established learning science tenets of application, reflection, and practice. It's crucial to practice new skills frequently, apply information in various situations, and reflect on what you've learned—especially when you practice and apply in unfamiliar settings—if you want to make sure your newly acquired knowledge and abilities stay with you. You will have the opportunity to practice, apply, and reflect in a well-designed learning environment, but you may also reinforce your learning outside of the platform by incorporating the knowledge in your job and daily life.
2. Go For Video Lessons
If the video is recorded, take a few minutes to stop it and write down a quick synopsis of what you heard. Avoid taking notes when watching live videos, especially if they are recorded for later viewing. To assist you in staying focused, listen intently and take part in the conversation. Ask a question in the chat window or raise your virtual hand. Studies reveal that viewing a video twice has more impact than implementing, debating, reflecting on, and writing about what you learned.
3. Time Management
Flexibility is one of the main advantages of online learning, yet having too much freedom can sometimes impose new difficulties. To keep your learning on track, figure out how to effectively organize and use your time according to when and where you learn best. Reduce distractions as much as you can from both your digital and physical surroundings. Modular and flexible learning is the hallmark of eLearning. You may set out fifteen minutes to write a three-sentence reflection piece and view a brief video lesson. Nevertheless, certain learning tasks will naturally take longer. Make a schedule and set out time for learning, just as you would for exercise or socializing.
4. Do One Thing At A Time
Concentrating on a single job at a time is more productive than multitasking. "People who are regularly bombarded with several streams of electronic information cannot pay attention, recall information, or switch from one job to another as well as those who complete one task at a time," according to research from Stanford University. Concentrate on just one item at a time. Compared to trying to multitask, you'll be more productive, easily finish projects, and take in more knowledge.
5. Take Part In Discussions
You might need to take the initiative to customize the learning process to fit your needs in an online learning environment by asking plenty of questions. This might entail going to study groups as well as asking your professors or classmates for assistance. According to a study, students who engage in discussion boards have a 37% higher chance of finishing a course.
6. Engage With Course Materials
Mental energy is just as important as physical energy when learning. Spend some time considering if you have grasped the material, attempt to recall and summarize what you have learned to help with memory and retrieval, assess your comprehension, combine various concepts and skills into one study session to create connections and fluencies, engage in class discussions, pose questions, go to study groups and try teaching concepts to others.
7. Ensure Reliable Internet Access
You might experience disruptions during your course if your internet connection is unreliable. Even worse, you'll waste money and time. These days, live teaching methods like webinars are often used by online instructors. You cannot engage in a discussion with your peers if your internet connection is lost on one of those occasions.
Increased signal strength, additional modems, and other technical solutions can help you have dependable internet connectivity at home. Additionally, rather than depending on a laptop or other mobile device that requires a wireless connection, think about utilizing your desktop computer if it is linked to your modem.
8. Build A Study Plan
It's time to start taking your actual study sessions seriously now. After you start your course, you'll be more likely to stick with your documented, firm plan. There is no right or incorrect study schedule. The ideal one will accommodate your schedule and let you finish your other duties and commitments.
But don't be scared to challenge yourself. Continually pushing yourself to achieve better outcomes will help you finish the course more quickly and with a greater sense of accomplishment.
9. Identify Your Learning Objective And Goals
Before registering for the course, read as much as you can about it. Find out the goals of the content by getting in touch with the trainer. After that, you'll be able to decide for yourself if it's the appropriate move. Write down your goals and objectives as soon as you have them. Before you go down to read over the course content or review your notes, go over them each day. As you move through the program, remember these.
Speak with your instructor or other students if you don't think you're meeting the goals. Determine any areas where you may have drifted, then come up with a plan to correct your course.
10. Set Time Limits
Making oneself study for a certain amount of time is one approach to boost your efficiency and production. If you have trouble staying still, think about setting a 15-minute timer. After fifteen minutes, get up, move around, and go back to your desk when the bell rings. You will have studied for an hour overall if you repeat this four times.
But make sure you put in as much time as you believe is required to accomplish your objectives and cross everything off your to-do list. You may work through eight 15-minute sessions or six 20-minute sessions if you require two hours of focused study time. Divide them into whichever you feel most comfortable.
Conclusion
Enrolling in an online course may provide you with an abundance of information that can keep your mind and brain stimulated. As you progress through your online course, keep going over this list of online study recommendations. Try another course once you've finished this one. You'll feel more content the more you study.
References
[1] What Is Online Learning In 2023
[2] Size of the global e-learning market in 2019 and 2026, by segment
