This ‘Learning How to Learn Online’ student guide has been adapted from the following sources:
- ‘How Students Develop Online Learning Skills’ by Alan R. Roper (Educause Review)
- Skills for Effective Online Learning (Portland State University – PSU Online)
In a blended learning course where there is a mix of both face-to-face and online learning components, you may find that the convenience and flexibility of online learning advantageous for your learning goals and busy schedules. However, as the online environment lacks much of the structure present in the face-to-face classroom, you may face significant challenges in this type of instruction.
Therefore, it is important for you, as a learner, to recognize that a different set of student skills may be required for you to get succeed in your learning and to get the most from a blended learning course. The techniques described here can promote a rich learning experience for you as well as for your fellow students.
This section on ‘learning how to learn online’ will help you to identify useful strategies that you can use in your blended learning courses, and highlights several techniques you can use to develop effective online learning skills. Remember to ask for help from fellow students or your instructor, if technical or academic problems arise.
You can also access these material to learn more about studying by yourself
A key difference between face-to-face traditional classroom learning and online learning is that you can choose to participate in the online class at a time that is convenient for you, therefore you need to be an independent learner. Procrastination is a main issue which could cause you to fall behind in the online course. Therefore, you should develop a time-management strategy for adhering to deadlines to help manage course requirements. Here are some strategies:
(1) Plan ahead. You will have many other responsibilities in addition to studying online. Therefore you have to discipline yourself in maintaining your schedule and not allow any distractions to disrupt your plan.
(2) Devote sufficient time for the online courses. Log in regularly, i.e. several times per week, to your online course and check for new postings or updates.
(3) Set and maintain specific study days or designate specific times for the online course. Establish your own schedules for class time to ensure that you have sufficient time to prepare for class participation, for reading online assignments or articles, for writing assignments and for responding to online discussions.
(4) Create a flexible schedule so that you do not feel overwhelmed. Some students may find it helpful when completing a homework assignment to doing a bit here and there and avoid trying to do too much all at once.
In an online environment you need to be prepared not only to interact in large or small group online discussions with other students, but as well as being able to work collaboratively with them. Good social skills and ‘netiquette’ are therefore important.
In blended learning, in addition to face-to-face discussion in class, a significant part of your interaction may occur through an online (written) discussion that will allow both students and instructors to interact in asynchronous time. In online learning, an asynchronous activity allows students to work during times at their own convenience. For example, a discussion might occur during an entire week, with students participating in the discussion at different times. An online threaded discussion, for example, is asynchronous.
Online discussions may provide opportunities for a more in-depth discussion, as it allows you to spend time crafting your responses. Therefore, in order to make the most of online discussions, post a thoughtful response, question, or comment to another student’s posting. Make sure you have something meaningful to add, and not just say something for the sake of saying something. Try to interact with as many of your classmates as possible and not limit your responses to the same few classmates.
You can also try to encourage class discussions online, for example, sharing your own persepctives on the subject or by asking specific questions in response to student postings. It is important to develop critical thinking skills and ask thoughtful questions, so as to engage both your fellow students and your instructor. You are also encouraged to develop good research skills to make the most of online discussions, which will add to the overall learning experience for the class.
Do clarify with your instructor on his or her expectations as to how threaded discussions will be used and as to how you will be assessed.
Some Resources
Consider developing personal techniques to stay engaged or motivated. Your motivation determines, directs, and sustains what you do to learn. In a blended learning environment, you may find yourself losing interest or motivation mid-way through your course as there are fewer opportunities for direct face-to-face contact and interaction with other classmates or an instructor.
Each student may find something different that works for him or her in staying motivated. For example, some students may be motivated towards getting a good grade, while others may find more motivation in setting personal goals.
Take advantage of opportunities to work with other online students, for example, by teaming up together to encourage each other and give constructive feedback to one another, and to ensure that everyone turns in good quality work.
By setting achievable and realistic targets and moving towards it, you are more likely to be strongly motivated to learn.
As online learning courses require spending a considerable amount of reading online, find a way to apply the concepts so that it will help you retain the information more readily. Take notes from the book, article or online video lectures as if you were in a face-to-face course, to help retain essential points.
Adopt a deep approach to learning makes the subject matter more understandable. For example, make use of the online threaded discussion by interpreting concepts and restating them in your own words. Or as soon as you read or study a certain topic or sub-topic, apply the knowledge through online or face-to-face collaboration with other students. Build upon what you already know (your prior knowledge), for example by applying the concepts to a current or past experience.
For further details on developing a deep approach to learning, please click here.
You will find the learning experience enriched greatly by the relationships and interaction with your fellow students. Students who develop a meaningful connection with their classmates can receive and provide support and these online connections also promote a sense of being a learner among other learners. You can learn as much from other students and their experiences as you will do from your instructor. Many students develop meaningful connections with their classmates (both face-to-face and online) that can translate into career networking opportunities later.