There are an expansive amount of online tools and resources to help make studying and learning more interactive. There is no need to feel stressed and overwhelmed when one can access the technology of today. Whether it is something as simple as being aware of the resources offered by my university, one’s knowledge of online tools and resources can help make the college, and then professional experience much easier. Communicating and collaborating over the web proves to be an extremely beneficial skill to learn. This includes the proper netiquette to follow in emails or web chat. It also includes online resources that help foster collaboration such as Google Docs where everyone can edit a project and Trello, an online tool that allows group members or co-workers to set up projects, assign tasks, and communicate live. There are also web-enhanced studying resources such as Purdue Online Writing Lab which provides citing and research tips. Study Stack Flashcards provides a quick study aid to learn important concepts.
When it comes to listening and viewing on the web, I learned that podcasts and educational videos can be helpful supplements to professors’ lectures. I also learned that how one takes notes can be extremely beneficial to the learning process. The Cornell Notetaking Method allows one to fully engage the topic and then reflect on its application and summary. When I need more clarification on a subject, I can search YouTube for educational videos. Finally, I found the module on searching and researching to be beneficial in how to most effectively research a topic and analyze the quality of my sources. It can be a great timesaver to learn how to search with limits and narrow down my results to ones that best reflect my topic of interest. All of these online tools and resources have proven to be necessary for the most efficient and effective way of learning in college. Furthermore, these skills and strategies can be transferred into the professional world when needing to research, communicate, collaborate, and gain more insight into a subject.
One of the most beneficial aspects of this course has been the reflection on my studying behaviors and habits. The self-evaluation tests I took to analyze my time management and procrastination levels revealed many areas needing improvement. By first becoming aware, and then learning the necessary skills, I am able to make changes. Referring and keeping to a schedule daily helps me to prioritize my assignments and stay on task. Also, I have found it helpful to break up a large project working on it every day rather than leaving it for one day. This prevents me from feeling stressed out or overwhelmed and thus, I procrastinate less. I also learned that when I reward myself with free time after completing a scheduled task, I feel more motivation to stick to my plan.
The most meaningful experience in this course for me has been the process of self-reflection. I previously lacked the ability to prioritize and visualize my plan of action; however, I now am able to sync my calendar to my phone and stay connected with due dates and my to-do list. As I approach graduation, I will continue to use my scheduling skills along with all the other tools I learned in order to make my professional and personal life more organized and productive. For example when there is a work project assigned, I will look to online tools to help communicate and collaborate over the web. I can also apply the skills and knowledge of searching for sources to write and conduct research in the professional sphere of my life.