Key to effective online learning

We live in an era where modernized methods of education have created a significant predominant impact in the domain of education. Learning from online courses doesn't only promote flexible learning from anywhere, it is comparatively cheaper and requires lesser resources than traditional means.

But just as two sides of a coin, online learning also comes with certain challenges and often, taking an online course can be overwhelming.

So the question arises, how do you learn at your own pace and successfully achieve your goals? Here are some general tips that can help you stay focused and on track while you are learning online.

Set daily goals for studying

Ask yourself what you hope to accomplish in your learnings each day. Setting a clear goal can help you stay motivated and beat procrastination. The goal should be specific and easy to measure, such as "I’ll watch all the lectures of this chapter and complete the first assignment". And don’t forget to reward yourself when you make progress towards your goal!

Create a dedicated study space

It’s easier to recall information if you’re in the same place where you first learned it, so having a dedicated space at home to take online courses can make your learning more effective. Remove any distractions from the space and if possible, make it separate from your bed or sofa. A clear distinction between where you study and where you take breaks can help you focus.

Schedule time to study on your calendar

Open your calendar and choose a predictable, reliable time that you can dedicate to watching lectures and completing assignments. This helps ensure that your courses won’t become the last thing on your to-do list. You can use Pomodoro timers, to-do lists and scheduling of tasks to stay productive and focused.

Keep yourself accountable

Tell your friends about your learnings, the courses/tutorials you are following, and post achievements to your social media accounts or blog about your assignments or projects. Having a community and support network of friends and family to cheer you on makes a difference!

Actively take notes

Taking notes can promote active thinking, boost comprehension and extend your attention span. It’s a good strategy to internalize knowledge whether you’re learning online or in the classroom. So, grab a notebook or find a digital app that works best for you and start synthesizing key points.

Do one thing at a time

Multitasking is less productive than focusing on a single task at a time. Researchers from Stanford University found that “People who are regularly bombarded with several streams of electronic information cannot pay attention, recall information or switch from one job to another as well as those who complete one task at a time.” Stay focused on one thing at a time. You’ll absorb more information and complete assignments with greater productivity and ease than if you were trying to do many things at once.

Take breaks

Resting your brain after learning is critical to high performance. If you find yourself working on a challenging problem without much progress for an hour, take a break. Walking outside, taking a shower or talking with a friend can help you to re-energize and even give you new ideas on how to tackle the problem or the project.

I hope these tips will surely help you to improve your attention span and stay productive while learning online! Don't forget, perseverance is the mantra and discipline is the ultimate key to success.