5 Practical Tips For Effective Online Learning During Self-Quarantine
Introduction
Most governments around the world have temporarily closed schools and universities to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
There is no doubt COVID-19 had caused educational disruption and is impacting over 91 percent of the world’s student population, according to UNESCO.
The educational landscape has been changed from face-to-face instruction to online modality as an immediate strategy of teaching students. This unprecedented step has never occurred at a larger scale.
In fact, online learning is currently the only available option to mitigate the continuing threat of coronavirus to student learning.
Obstacles to distance learning
Dealing with obstacles in relation to distance learning is a hot topic today. Unfortunately, most teachers and students may not be ready to embrace the many challenges of distance learning.
Several issues such as inadequate technical support, low adaptability, poor internet connection, unstructured schedule, and potential less interaction between teachers and students can create frustration and low motivation.
If you are a student what practical steps you might want to adapt in order to keep up with difficult challenges related to distance learning? How can you still be productive as a student during the COVID-19 crisis?
Let me share with you the five practical tips to enhance student learning during self-quarantine.
1. Establish a daily schedule
The fact that teaching is moving to online learning is likely a disappointment for most students. Without schedule and discipline, it’s hard to keep up with many academic requirements that need to be submitted online.
There is no doubt time management is the most important single trait of a responsible student. An established daily schedule can help you stay motivated and beat procrastination. Also, assign a specific time for doing homework and reading.
The goal should be specific and easy to measure, such as “I’ll watch all prerecorded videos in chapter 15 and complete the assignment in Educational Psychology class.”
2. Pay attention to Zoom lecture
Distraction is quite common while listening to a Zoom lecture—from browsing Facebook and Instagram to playing Roblox or other video games to being hooked at Netflix series.
Make sure you pay attention to your teacher by closing unnecessary browsers to eliminate distractions. If possible, turn off your phone to reduce screen time so you wouldn’t be distracted while listening to an online lecture.
3. Join the online discussion
Students who participate in online forums are more likely to learn and complete a course. Be proactive and remember those course discussion forums are a great place to ask questions about the assignments, weekly topics, and other requirements.
If you are an introverted person who usually shy to ask questions, this might be a good opportunity for you to be engaged and share your views about the topic.
In addition, joining online discussion threads and meeting chats can help you to stay focus until the end of the lecture. But remember, have the courtesy to mute yourself if you’re in a noisy environment.
4. Follow the teacher’s expectation
Always remember to follow the teacher’s expectations. For instance, expectations should be clear about when you need to be logged on, clarify the due dates of the assignments, and the consequences of missing online classes.
If you have any issues or concerns, don’t hesitate to ask questions. However, don’t expect perfection. Be prepared to have good days and bad days with your remote instruction and learn from both.
Understanding teachers’ expectation and following them are the key to survive in distance learning during pandemic crisis.
5. Communicate with your teacher
Most of us are used to learning in a physical space such as a classroom or library. While online learning may be accessible anywhere, but you may find some difficulties in getting used to this.
Therefore, make sure to communicate with your teachers about literarily anything and everything that is going wrong—whether you have a bad internet connection, or you don’t have a lot of access to electronics, family or health issues, etc.
I’m sure your caring teacher will understand your situation and they can accommodate you when things go wrong.
Final thoughts
No one is sure when the coronavirus will last. Needless to say, online learning presents unique opportunities to engage with both peers and instructors despite of physical limitations.
Dealing with challenges related to online learning is not easy, and it requires flexibility and becoming proactive as a student. So, be responsible and take ownership of your own learning.
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. —Proverbs 16:3
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