It’s an era of digitisation that is transforming the education sector beyond conventional perceptions. E-Learning is the new trend that offers high-quality tutoring, intuitive courses, and remarkable convenience.
In fact, by 2024, the Indian online education market is projected to reach the staggering INR 360 billion mark. This growing market presents a golden opportunity for you to explore a wide array of digital courses. Amidst the plethora of options, you should follow specific tips to make the most of this hi-tech learning mode.
To help you with this, this blog aims at offering valuable advice to overcome the practical challenges in eLearning. Read on to discover how you can capitalise on the present and future of education.
Top 9 Tips to Consider
Some top tips to consider for effective online learning include the following.
1. Allocate a Fixed Time Schedule
Online courses offer a wide level of flexibility. You can watch a lecture or attend a seminar as per convenience.
But despite this benefit, you might procrastinate and delay attending an online lecture. You end up watching multiple videos, only to reduce the effectiveness of the course. So, to maximise the output from eLearning courses, create a set timetable.
Here are general pointers to simplify this process:
- Allocate a time slot to pursue the online course
- Maintain consistency in your routine
- Treat these courses as in-person learning sessions
- Reward yourself after completing an assignment
This technique of time allocation will instil discipline in your daily routine. Consequently, you can stand a good chance of learning the concepts in an effective way.
2. Create an Uncluttered Study Space
You may prefer the convenience of studying an online course from your laptop or smartphone. In such cases, how do you study exactly?
The bed or couch might be your go-to space to study. However, these habits might impact your concentration.
In order to understand the content of online courses in-depth, dedicate a separate study space. This area should be devoid of any distractions. Also, try sitting on a chair that helps maintain your posture and focus.
Here are some additional points that can help you create an ideal eLearning study space:
- Clear the table area from any possible distractions
- Place the chair and table in a well-ventilated space
- Arrange sufficient lighting to reduce eye strain
- Keep the space in close proximity to an electric panel
Following these tips will help you create an ergonomic study space.
3. Invest in a Stable Internet Connection
It is a cliché that effective online learning requires a good internet connection. Still, you might neglect this fact altogether.
Investing in a stable Wi-Fi router can prevent issues like getting disconnected frequently. Also, fast internet connectivity helps swiftly load the visual content of online courses.
Signal boosters are another practical device that can improve your household internet speed. Consider these gadgets as long-term investments.
4. Virtual Study Groups
Online learning can make you feel a tad disconnected from the feeling of studying with classmates. To overcome this challenge, virtual groups can be a viable solution.
You might have friends who also study a common online eLearning course. In such a case, you can connect with them and plan sessions through video conferencing.
Furthermore, your group can contribute to forum discussions on prominent digital education platforms. A virtual study group also gives you the feeling that you are studying with a colleague in the room.
So overall you won’t feel disconnected from the outside world through technology.
5. Note Taking is Vital
What is the one thing you absolutely adore about online classes?
Well, it might be the benefit of going paperless. You can go back online and read a specific section of the course as per requirement.
While this advantage can seem convenient, it can reduce the impact of grasping knowledge. As such, you need to treat online classes as live lectures to solve this problem.
So, sit in front of your laptop with a notebook and pen in hand. Jot down the essential points similar to an in-person lecture. This way, you engage better with the content of the teaching module.
Not to forget, keeping notes during online courses helps you boost the following aspects:
- Retention
- Comprehension
6. Avoid Multitasking
To eliminate stress during eLearning, you need to focus on limited activities.
It is especially tempting to scroll through your smartphone during an online lecture. After all, nobody’s keeping a check on you, right?
But such multitasking can hamper your productivity in grasping the necessary content. So, to absorb more information and complete the online tasks, focus only on a maximum of two things:
- Listen and watch the online content
- Take notes simultaneously
These two activities often run in tandem. Hence, it’s better to keep all other distractions away from the study space. This includes keeping your phone away in a different room perhaps.
7. Adhere to Strict Deadlines
Some online courses have deadlines for assignments. The creators plan these deadlines to match the course structure and content. As such, following them promptly will keep you in the loop with the syllabus. Moreover, timely submissions of these assignments will help with high scoring.
Additionally, follow these tips in planning your routine according to course deadlines:
- Read the overall online course structure at the beginning
- Create a calendar to simplify your schedule
- Follow each activity as per the defined deadlines
- Look out for any task changes regularly
8. Take Frequent Breaks
Too much time in front of a digital screen can hamper your focus and increase eye strain. So, it is crucial to take frequent breaks to improve your online learning efficiency.
The side effects of prolonged screen time can also impact your productivity. So, it is essential to take a 10-minute break after an hour. During this time, do not scroll through your smartphone.
Instead, here’s what you can do during break time:
- Go for a stroll
- Listen to some music
- Indulge in stretching exercises
- Talk to a friend or family member
These activities will refresh your mind to restart the online course. You will notice a considerable boost in your grasping ability after taking adequate breaks.
9. Do not Overcomplicate
Using technology can often lead you to utilise various features and tools. While these tools can help manage eLearning better, they are not always necessary.
In fact, you can simplify your online learning schedule according to your requirements. For instance, do not invest in too many courses or fancy software as you might end up facing academic burnout.
Taking the help of advisors or expert online teaching academies can also streamline your schedule. This simplicity will help you study only the most required courses and extract sufficient knowledge.
In a Nutshell
The education sector will keep on transforming continuously. Soon, you can witness the increased implementation of artificial intelligence in online courses.
As such, you need to keep a disciplined schedule to extract the best output from this speedy transformation. Treat eLearning classes and modules seriously. Visualise that you are sitting in a classroom. For this purpose, creating an uncluttered study space works well.
Furthermore, simplifying your schedule, adhering to the given deadlines, and taking breaks impact your efficiency positively. Finally, you can request the guidance of specialised online course institutes to make the most of this learning mode.
