eLearning

How to Study for an Online Class

A Student of the University of British Columbi...

The allure of online classes is easy to understand. Study in your PJs, never be late for class, or hold down a nine-to-five job while going to school. You control when you do classwork and you control when you study. Unfortunately, it’s a lot harder to find motivation to study when you’re in an online class. You’ve got to change your methods. Here are some tips for studying for an online class.

Review regularly.
We know you’ve heard this tip a thousand times, but how often do you actually do it? Never? It may be impossible for you to review every day, so make it a habit of reviewing every other day or every two days. The reason this is so essential in online classes is because you won’t have a live class to attend three times a week. You’re on your own, and you’ve got to keep the material fresh and active in your head. If you’re really struggling with the class, make the commitment to review every day. You don’t want to be faced with a huge cramfest right before a major exam.
Take neat notes.
It doesn’t matter if your handwriting is atrocious (you can type your notes instead). Your notes need to be orderly and aesthetically pleasing for you to want to study them. Be creative and use different colors or pictures. Make your notes inviting.
See if any of your online classmates live near you.
Reviewing with another person can do wonders in both motivating you and helping you remember certain information. If no one lives near you, start a review thread in your discussion board.

Three Tips for Online Learning Beginners

Image by D’Arcy Norman via Flickr

Are you starting your very first online learning class? Congratulations– you’re taking full control of your higher education. Be forewarned that online learning classes put you in the pilot seat. You’ll need a higher discipline and self-motivation than you would in a traditional online learning class. Here are some tips for beginner students.

Research Your Professor.
Although there isn’t as much face-to-face interaction with your professor as you would find in a traditional class, your professor can make or break your class. Ask any classmates who they’d recommend for a particular class. Don’t know anyone? Get the insider scoop at review sites like RateMyProfessor.
Know Your Syllabus Like the Back of Your Hand.
The syllabus is your contract with the professor. You won’t have a professor to stand in front of the class and go over it. Know your syllabus. It will often contain day-by-day instructions or assignments as well as classroom policies and rules. Those due dates are much more likely to creep up on you in an online class. Set reminders for one week ahead for minor projects, two or three weeks ahead for major projects. If there’s anything you’re unclear about in the syllabus, email the professor right away.
Never Procrastinate.
Online courses don’t allow for it. If you’re not keeping up with the workload, you’ll drown. Cramfests and last-minute work sessions do not work for online courses. You’re the only one responsible for understanding the material and a large part of your online course will be spent teaching yourself. You can’t learn an entire semester in one night, so make sure you’re keeping up with the syllabus.

Online Learning is Here to Stay

Online learning includes all types of teaching and learning. There are communication and information systems that serve as the media needed in order to implement this type of learning. The term “online learning” basically refers to classroom education that is acquired through the use of technology.

This type of learning where the network-enabled and computer transfer of knowledge and skills is utilized, processes and applications include digital collaboration, opportunities of virtual classroom, computer-based learning and Web-based learning. The content of the materials to be learned is sent through the Internet, satellite TV, video or audio tape, and extranet/intranet. This type of learning can be customized at the students own pace or it can be instructor led with media elements to include audio, animation, text, video streaming, and image.

By the year 2006 in the U.S., there were around 3.5 million students taking some type of online-learning within an institute of higher education. The Slogan Foundation reports state that the rise of participation in online learning was an average of 12 to 14% between the years of 2004 to 2009. By 2008, there were more that 25% of all post-secondary education students taking some type of online courses which increased in 2009 to 44%. The number of students taking online courses is expected to rise as much as 81 percent by the year 2014. There are many for-profit institutes of higher education that now offer online classes and the general consensus is that students are just as satisfied with this form of education as with the traditional classroom style.

The Best of Both Worlds: Distance Learning

More and more people are turning to distance learning to complete their education. College certification or degrees via online learning have become very accessible as technology such as home computers and internet access has become common place. While distance learning once used to be a cumbersome process, today’s students have access to a quality education in the comfort of their home. There are several really good reasons to learn online today.

The first is how convenient and easy it can be to learn online. Students can self-pace and do lessons at whatever time of the day is easiest for them. Lessons can be accessed from any computer with an internet connection. Whether a student takes a test on a lap top in the PJ’s or finishes a paper at a favorite coffee shop, one of the biggest benefits of online learning is how convenient it is.

Online learning was designed to work for the greatest number of people. This means that those with different learning styles, those that struggle with different types of learning can find a comfortable place to learn online. The self-paced nature of online learning means that students can spend extra time on topics that they are struggling with and literally skip those they already comprehend. Online learning simply works for people.

Finally, it comes down to finances. Online learning is typically a lot less expensive that traditional learning. Students can complete degrees by spending a fraction of the money it would take at a traditional school. Those that have limited funds for education find the lower cost to be an excellent benefit.

Online learning might not work for everyone, but a lot of students simply like it better. It will be interesting to see how future technology will change online learning. We are likely to see even more classes and degrees offered online.

Types of Degrees You can get Online

More and more schools are offering online classes today, and many of them are changing things so that you can get your entire degree online, instead of having to go into the school. There are some degrees that are now commonly able to be gotten online, while others are still just barely making it to the Internet.

Graphic Design

This is a degree that many, many schools offer online now. It makes sense, since the whole point of the degree is to be able to use the computer to make art. The classes that are generally required are easily done online. Because of this, many schools that offer a graphic design degree are now offering it online. In fact, some schools only offer this degree online. Therefore, if you want to take it, you will not have any classes in the school.

Accounting

Many schools are also making their accounting degrees online only. This is simply because the classes that are required are easily taken on the Internet. Schools are finding that offering classes like these only online, they are able to save a little more money.

Nursing

A large number of schools are now offering nursing degrees through their online programs. Along with this, there are other health care related offerings, such as health care administration and radiology. Sometimes, you may need to come into the school on occasion for things like labs, but in general, these are offered online.

There are colleges today that are solely online campuses. There are others that are traditional colleges and universities that offer their classes online. Some degrees are offered completely online, while for some, you may need to come in for certain classes. Either way you go, you will find that you can generally get your degree through a majority, or completely through online classes.

You can Learn Anything Online

The Internet has become one of the best places to go, and resources to have, to learn almost anything. You can literally find information online about any subject that you have an interest in. No matter what you are looking for, you can find it.

Research Papers

If you have an assignment due for school, you can use the Internet to find the information that you need for your research papers. This is extremely convenient. There are tons of websites out there that can help, with everything from historic documents to current affairs. You can find the time lines of people from history, or even other people’s reviews of books, architecture, and more.

Family History

Many people today are using the Internet to trace their family history. This is something that has been a difficult feat for many through the years, but now with the Internet, you are able to find out not only who you are related to, but also what your ancestors did in their lives.

Online Classes

You can take online classes in a variety of subjects. Sometimes, you can find either classes or tutorials for free online. This is a great resource for those that are interested in constantly learning and doing more. You can also find schools that offer online classes, to get a degree or credits in a certain field.

No matter what you are looking to learn about, you will find it online. The Internet has become a huge wealth of knowledge that is growing every day. As more people add more information to it, it is said that you can find and do anything online. Whether you are reading up on a medical procedure, or trying to learn a new skill, you can easily find what you are looking for with a simple search through a search engine.

Who Takes Online Classes, and Why?

Many people today are turning to online education. There are many reasons that people are going digital, even with their education. In fact, it is said that there are as many reasons as there are people. Even though this may be true, there are some basic reasons that drive most people to deciding to further their education through an online college.

It’s Faster

Many of the online schools are becoming popular because they are said to be faster than going to a traditional school. You can generally get your two year degree in much less time than that, because the courses are accelerated. Many times you are able to work at your own pace, as well, which can speed things up significantly.

It’s Easier

If you have a busy schedule, you may find that going to an online school is much, much easier. Instead of having to work around a school schedule, a work schedule, family, friends, and more, you will find that you can take your class time whenever you have time. This is important for many who are considering a furthered education.

It Gives You What You Need

You will find that you can get many of the degrees that you might be interested in, online. Therefore, you are able to find what you want, and get started on it when you want to. Many times, you don’t have to wait until spring or fall semester starts – many online schools allow you to start in the next module, which is usually a month or two long.

Many different types of people are turning to online education today. With everyone from stay at home moms to business executives, you will find that your classmates come from all corners of the world, and all different sorts of backgrounds when you choose an online school.