Pablo Luna
I went to my cousin’s for Thanksgiving celebrations last month. It surprises me each time I sit back and realize how voraciously things changed within just a year. I, the usual introvert, made all the Christmas plans and decorations, unlike all previous years. I have changed as a person too, both emotionally and professionally.
After all, arrangements were made, I came across my younger sister attending her zoom classes. I look at her silently for a while and then come back to the older cousin’s group for a cup of eggnog. We were discussing how technology is making people isolate themselves. But surprisingly, I argued otherwise. According to my, online learning or distance learning is surprisingly intimate when done right. The benefits of online learning seemed endless to me; a misfortune who had to shatter her university dreams in a foreign land back in the day. There are expert proofreaders/editors at hand to help students in their assignments and projects, while they focus on other crucial things. To be a student, in this era, is a boon!
What came to my notice at my first glance was the absence of the last bench in the zoom class. In real classes, the student who is sitting far behind in the class and is not willing to ask questions stays ignored throughout. The student who feels excluded stays feeling the same. But Zoom classes are allowing all the students to be on the same platform. It is allowing students to be equally available for the teacher’s attention. These are tough times for teachers too. The pandemic has brought with it a season of changes. Teachers have the responsibility of planning classes, checking assignments, and much more. Fortunately, there are teaching experts to whom one can outsource one’s works. A learned and experienced teaching expert can help a teacher in scheduling his/her classes, prepare the right lessons and manage Zoom classes too.
My new found love for Online classes led me to talk with multiple students and teachers. We discussed how students are making the most of technology. I found that the medium of learning is immaterial to how much a student is learning. It’s similar to doubt the effectiveness of a certain Product because it was delivered by a certain Vehicle.
I found how the best students are making the most of online/e-learning :
Treat an online class similar to a real class-
It’s important to understand that online learning is still paid for and holds value for a degree in the real world. Just the thought of something virtual makes people lenient about the whole deal. This is where students go wrong. It’s important that you have a routine and then the discipline to follow through it. One might have the liberty of postponing one’s work for a later date, but the work has to be eventually done. It can certainly not be put off just because it’s online.
Create a regular study place and stick to a routine-
The best students set monthly goals and check in weekly to see their progress. Unlike real classes, there is no real reminder from professors or batchmates, about assignments. This is why setting up calendars before a session is helpful.
Decide on a space that has lesser distraction and is suitable for learning. This will eventually be your corner and help boost your productivity and stay organized. Make sure you have the right resources at hand and a thorough internet connection.
Participate as actively as is possible-
Most students feel lethargic and left out during e-classes. The reason could be anything from a lethargic background or the loss of direct connection.
Good students are known to intentionally participate in online forums to keep themselves active. These sessions help them stay in tune and keep challenging them to learn voraciously.
They read in advance for the classes scheduled and ask questions when in doubt.
And one must speak up when they are left behind. Unless they will lag behind a pile that will keep increasing with time.
Make use of your network-
Online classes might make a student feel lonely. It might feel like one is doing all the learning alone. However, this doesn’t have to be the case always. Professors and teachers are playing a very vital role here. They are encouraging students to collaborate with themselves and with their batchmates to work together for projects and assignments.
The excelling students that I talked to, talked in length about how helpful it is to have a support group. It’s advised to have strong connections with professors and certain like-minded students. It helps in maintaining one’s sanity, morale, and even intellect. Good teachers are hard to find, it’s more the reason to not lose touch with the ones available.
Avoid Multitasking at all costs-
As humans, we all think that multitasking is an art. However, researches from the past have suggested otherwise. Students usually have multiple tabs open during their online classes. It seems unharmful to check on social media while it’s just a tap away. However, one does not realize how soon time passes away, whiling through feeds and notifications.
Like I said earlier, consider e-classes like it were real-live classes. Then, you can not possibly multitask while a teacher is looking at you.
Write Notes and Draw pictures-
There’s no denying that staring at the screen the whole day can be extremely strenuous, both to one’s mind and body. Zoom fatigue is a real thing but is unfortunately unavoidable today. However, one can look for ways to make things interesting. Write notes and make use of drawings to keep yourself engaged, yet entertained. Making diagrams, charts and infographics, also help students remember things better. If one can work words and images together, it helps in making mental images that stay for long.
And most importantly, students are changing their habits for the good. It’s appreciable how fast students are adapting to fast changes. It gives the world hope that our future is in the most responsible hands.
Author Bio- Jane Crighton- As an assignment expert, Jane delivers online sessions at Expert Assignment Help(UK), helping students with writing essays and assignments. She is also one of the co-founders and education consultants at Top My Grades. Beyond work, you can find her at community homework workshops as a volunteer helping students in need of private tutoring with their homework.
