Covid-19 was a surprise to many. It would change our lives and turn the world upside down. Because the virus spread like wildfire, many changes were made and accepted by people around the world. It took some time to adjust to the new norm. Online Classes are quickly becoming one of the most effective methods to teach education.
Online education was so powerful that it became an almost ubiquitous part of our rapidly growing world. Schools were closed and there was no physical interaction between students and teachers. It was not long before most schools and educational institutions switched to online learning to allow students to continue their education. Education has seen a dramatic shift with the rise of e-learning. This is where teaching takes place remotely via digital platforms and not in physical classrooms.
It is no secret that the COVID-19 virus pandemic has forced everyone to make drastic changes to their daily lives. Businesses are moving to remote work. K-12 schools must embrace distance learning. Many college students who were previously enrolled on-campus now find themselves in unexpected online learning.
While online learning carries many positive benefits that make it the preferred choice for millions of students, it doesn’t come without its challenges–especially for students who are more familiar with in-person courses.
These are seven tips by Jonathan Small – associate vice president for Online Learning at Regis College – that you can use in order to adjust your study habits when moving fully online.
Tips for Taking Online Classes
1. To understand the due dates for your assignment, look ahead.
Students who enroll in online courses usually interact with the subject matter through a learning management platform (LMS). Regis’ online classes use Moodle. Blackboard and Canvas are also popular.
Whatever LMS your course uses, it’s important to spend time familiarizing yourself with the interface and specific assignments. To help you plan realistically for all your work, look ahead to your assignments.
Small says, “Online classes typically have a modular structure, so you may not have the same structure as a face-to-face class.” Small says that it is not common to have a physical reminder in an online class that homework is due. There are many things happening in an online class. Students must be organized.
2. Schedule time to study and work in small groups.
Regis students, like other universities, have many responsibilities and obligations. Your time is often consumed by childcare, work, family obligations, or internships. You need to create a schedule that meets all your needs.
Small says, “Chunking, or as I like to refer to it, gives students the ability to feel accomplished.” It makes you feel like your learning is progressing. A schedule that is specifically dedicated to studying can help you create and keep a routine.
3. Group projects require regular communication.
Some college courses require you to complete assignments and group projects with other students. This is equally true for online courses and for in-person courses. Small says that although in-person courses can facilitate group projects by bringing people together face-to-face, online learners should be more careful to ensure they communicate well.
Groups need to prioritize communication in order to avoid confusion.
Small suggests that you find a system that works best for all members of the group and to follow up regularly.
4. It is a good idea to divide work into groups early.
In the same vein, groups should be able to clearly divide up tasks so that everyone is accountable for their part and that everyone understands what they need to complete.
Small suggests that “group projects” should be planned well in advance to allow for division of work and coordination. “This will allow everyone to make their own schedules and complete their tasks even if it isn’t due in a few weeks.
5. Regularly touch base with your professor.
It’s just as important to communicate well with your classmates and fellow group members, but it’s equally important to communicate well with your professor. Be sure to communicate with your professor whether you have questions or are just trying to help.
Small says, “Talking to your instructor is one of the keys to success.” Don’t try to resolve your issues on your own. The professor will be there to assist you. It only takes five minutes to call your instructor and you can avoid stressing out for days. You’ll feel more relaxed, you’ll receive clarification, and you will be more successful.
Do not think you can only communicate with your professor when something is wrong. Let your professor know when you are happy – whether it’s a valuable lesson or an appreciation for a fellow groupmate – this will help you to build a relationship.
6. Participate as many times as you can
Participation is vital to your success whether you’re taking online courses or in-person. Active participation not only shows professors that you are interested but also shows your willingness to learn and put in the effort necessary to succeed. Although education is often viewed as passive, participation transforms it into an active process.
Small says, “The more you participate as a student, the better you’ll get.”
7. Be flexible
Online learning requires flexibility. This applies to you as well as your classmates, as well as your professors.
Online classes and technology were a significant success story during the lockdown. Although we have been placed under house arrest, we are still connected to the world of education. Students have been prevented from being able to communicate with the outside world.
The lack of exposure has also made it difficult for them to do so. Online classes have been the only way to improve students’ mental health. Teachers took great steps forward to create learning environments and find solutions for their students so that they could continue learning. There was little time for preparation so curriculums were changed, lesson plans created, and activities planned. This allowed students to continue their online learning.
Online classes are becoming a popular option for students in education. Online learning allows students to access files and folders without any physical damage. Students can easily access their assignments and notes with just one click. This method of learning is easier and more engaging thanks to modern technology. The benefits of technology-enabled learning are numerous and more interesting. It makes subjects that were once boring fun and interactive.
Students could now attend classes anywhere they wanted, as both the classes and the learning content were easily accessible from their homes. Online classes have become more accessible for students and teachers thanks to the integration of learning platforms with interactive applications. This allows more students to share their opinions using different online applications. Online submissions have become more stringent as students are regularly notified.
Teachers can also track down students who fail to submit assignments on time. Students have become independent learners through online learning before they can make it into the real world. The class gave students the opportunity to try out new learning platforms and applications, which allowed them to gain new skills and abilities that will accelerate their growth. While some students responded well to the online learning environment, others needed a little more push.
Many private and public schools have successfully transitioned to online platforms like Zoom, Google Classrooms, Microsoft Teams, etc. While many find it daunting, others still enjoy the benefits. Online learning presents many challenges.
While online learning played an essential role in the pandemic, its effects cannot be ignored. Because of the inability to access the internet, smartphones, laptops, and networks, online classes are not accessible to all students. This has meant that the less fortunate in society have been more at the receiving end. This could increase the disparity between class and demography in access to quality education.
Many students struggle with online learning because they can’t focus long enough on the screen. There is an abundance of distracting content online that can distract and attract students. Teachers have worked hard to make their online classes engaging, interactive, and crisp in order to avoid distractions and keep students focused.
However, online classes can be hampered by poor internet connectivity. Despite the fact that internet access has improved dramatically over the last few years, some areas of the country still lack decent internet speed or connectivity. Students are using inconsistency in internet connectivity as a reason to avoid important requirements like active visual presence, which is essential for maintaining vigilantes. The cameras are turned off, causing a disconnect between students and teachers. Many students log in to class, then become distracted by other activities. This is a common observation.
Students are not subject to the rules and boundaries of a classroom environment so it is easy for them to disregard the importance of the curriculum. It is possible that the notebook work was not taken seriously. It is possible for students to distract themselves from online learning. Face-to-face interaction with peers is a benefit of traditional classroom education.
These interactions are usually moderated by teachers. Children, particularly those in their early development years, benefit from the stability of classroom interaction, which allows them to develop empathy and cooperation. It aids in their development and real-life situations.
Learning never stops. In fact, learning evolved to survive and thrive. Technology has been the greatest enabler of this evolution, which is itself an invention that results from learning. Learning has been made easier by technology, and the advancement of technology has resulted in more learning. As they attempt to learn more, students need the support of their parents and teachers.
Online learning will soon be an integral part of school education, and offline learning would merge with e-learning. Education will become hybrid in the near future. Covid has seen technology become an integral part of academics. Both students and teachers have been able to learn new skills and abilities through online programs and applications.
The role of traditional classroom teaching cannot be replaced by online teaching. We will need to return to traditional teaching once the pandemic is over.
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