October 28th, 2008 by Learning Systems
For all kinds of students, whether they be children, teenagers, university students, or adults using courseware systems, study skills are a critical body of knowledge. These skills are best developed at a young age. However, elementary school educators often fail to cover study strategies extensively, or even at all. My experience was that educators made small attempts to instill study skills, but not large, comprehensive ones.
In the high-tech pedagogical world, and as more and more schools integrate technology and adopt online courseware systems, educators should be especially conscious of and responsive to students’ study skill levels. As student learning becomes more independent, with courseware systems and other often self-guided learning systems, a firmly-rooted understanding and disciplined practice of study skills become increasingly urgent.
October 28th, 2008 by Learning Systems
Developing a schedule is an essential aspect of managing your time and reserving a chunk of your day for your online courseware. A good, well-planned schedule can help you in all kinds of ways. You’ll keep track of your time and feel more satisfied when you’ve completed the work you need to do. But at its essence, a schedule is meant to save you time.
Having said that, it’s important to remember that schedules should be created with the premise that they’re flexible. If studying online courseware at 10 pm hasn’t been working out after all–you get sleepy and zone out a bit–change the schedule. It’s meant to keep you from wandering off course, and if you’re doing that anyway while following the schedule, then it’s time to revise it. Online courseware, remember, is designed for your busy life, and you’re in charge.
October 27th, 2008 by Learning Systems
As George-Louis Buffon said, “Genius is nothing but a great aptitude for patience.” In your pursuit of online courseware mastery, be patient with yourself. When you’re tired, distracted, or stressed out, your brain repels information rather than absorbs it. In the same way, when you get angry with yourself for forgetting information, or feel frustrated or self-critical, you waste incredible amounts of brain energy that could be spent digesting online courseware material.
Each online courseware student makes mistakes along the way. The trick is to be honest with yourself and admit to your failures, mistakes and false starts. By identifying them for what they are, you can begin to see them as learning experiences, rather than an indication of some horrible truth about your learning capability. Remember: when you learn what doesn’t work for you, you find out what does.
October 27th, 2008 by Learning Systems
Be sensitive to your own online courseware study needs and comfort. Everyone is different, and there’s no standard setting for successful learning. Do you remember the last test you studied for that you performed well on? What were the circumstances surrounding that study session?
While studying online courseware material, you might prefer a certain space. Some people need quiet and privacy. Some like to talk out loud to themselves–I know I do! Others prefer the gentle buzz of a library or cafe to study. Some people like to take short breaks, while others don’t require them. Everything from clothing, to lighting and background music, to having snacks or coffee are important considerations in creating your perfect setting for online courseware learning.
October 24th, 2008 by Learning Systems
Another strategy for balancing your job and online courseware is to only work on one lesson or assignment at a time. Even if you receive a large lesson, try to break it up and focus on one piece at a time. This will help you avoid missing important information or forgetting to complete an assignment. Don’t rush through the work–enjoy it! Learning should be enjoyable, like a good meal.
Developing an online courseware routine is an essential aid to concentration. Find a quiet place to study. You’ve got a dentist appointment to cancel, a strange noise sounding from your car engine, the voices of CNN News from the other room making your heart race. Tune it all out. You need to be able to drown out all the distracting voices, real and mental. You need to be alone–just you and your online courseware, and maybe a cup of tea.
