Make the most of your virtual learning experience
- WLS
While it may not be possible to attend face-to-face classes at the moment, this doesn’t mean we have to stop learning at all.
Learning remotely may be a new, difficult and frustrating task for many teachers and students, but it doesn’t have to be.
There are many benefits to remote learning, including increased accessibility to courses – all from the safety of your own home.
Here’s how to be effective in your online learning.
Choose an appropriate space
Find an area in your house where you can sit comfortably and focus. Make sure it’s separate from your relaxation space – definitely not your bedroom! Ideally, you need to be away from your TV or other distractions. If you need to use your webcam during lessons, make sure the space behind you is light enough for others to see you and doesn’t have anything distracting behind you.
Remove or Reduce distractions
Focus your energy by imagining you’re in a classroom. Keep your phone in a different room so that you’re not tempted to check it or play on it. If you’re working at a desk, clear it. Keep only a notepad and pen beside your device. During a live session, keep your mic muted unless you’re asking or answering a question. Don’t be a distraction to your peers in the session.
Take notes
Finding yourself zoning out during a webinar? Is that recording going on just slightly longer than you bear it? Taking notes keeps your mind engaged, making it easier to focus on what’s in front of you.
Take breaks
Don’t underestimate the power of a break. Even 5 minutes can help you to re-focus. If you find yourself struggling to focus, tell your facilitator that you’ll be taking a 5-minute break. Remember to mute your microphone while you’re away.
Speak up
When things get tough, ask your facilitator for help. Let them know what you’re struggling with and how they can help. Your facilitators want to help you as much as possible. Telling them what you need will enable them to help you more effectively.
Journal your progress
Use a journal to track your progress and any questions you may have. This will help to keep you motivated. It’ll also ensure you don’t forget the questions you need to ask your facilitator in your next session
Follow your courses’ schedule as closely as possible, but be flexible based your own learning tendencies and, most importantly, your emotional state. For some teachers and facilitators, remote learning is an equally new and potentially frustrating situation. Be kind to them—and yourself—in your feedback. Be honest but be kind.
With all the advantages of distance learning, it’s easy to see why an increasing number of people are opting for this approach to lessons. Don’t be left behind!