Web-Enhanced Reading and Study Strategies

The most useful thing I learned in this module was seeing and viewing all the links to online tools to aid with studying/learning. All of these tools such as Quizlet, Chegg, and Khan Academy serve to assist students with learning, studying, and extra help such as tutoring. Knowing the specifics of these tools can also help get right to the point of what you as a student want to accomplish outside of the classroom.

An example of something I already incorporate in my study habits that was discussed in this module, was the use of highlighting material within the textbook/power point slides that would be of future importance of the class. When going through my notes, I highlight important words or phrases of the notes to basically summarize the subject learned that day. Highlighting/underlining notes helps the brain remember as the words highlighted are standing out.

An idea from this module I am definitely going to start incorporating in my life is working out after or between study sessions. The module explains that exercising delivers vital nutrients to the brain which increases performance and allows for smoother information processing of the brain. It has been scientifically proven that working out after studying helps retain information better.

Advice that I’d give students based on what I’ve read in this module is to study hard for a short amount of time and be sure to take breaks studying at least once per hour. Studying for a long amount of time without breaks makes it harder for your brain to retain information.

Efficiency in the Digital Age

The most useful piece of information I obtained from Module 3 pertains to the tools one can use to reduce procrastination. The two I find very useful and will incorporate in the near future are the 10-minute rule, and the Ultimate Goal vs Immediate Desire technique. The 10-minute rule breaks down a goal into mini manageable tasks. This makes each task short and easy, but with all the tasks adding up to the 1 goal. Ultimate Goal vs Immediate Desire technique compares the goal you are striving for and the desire of wanting to do something else instead of going for that goal. An example from the module is a video of a person wanting to quit smoking, but have the desire to just turn around and light up a cigarette. If you break it down to asking yourself “do you want nice teeth”, “do you want healthier lungs”, do you want better breathe”, these questions can take your ultimate goal, and make it your immediate desire thus, making it easier to obtain that goal.

Another piece of information I received from this module would be the tips to reducing distractions, more specifically, technology. I already incorporate some of the tips brought up by the module such as turning off my notifications on my phone while doing work, and putting my phone in a different room while working. I plug my phone into the charger while working too so I have no desire to have it by me. This works out great as I have zero distraction from my phone and keep it out of sight, out of mind.

The ideas I will put into practice from module 3 will be the tools I described above when it comes to reducing procrastination. I will use both the 10-minute rule and the ultimate goal v immediate desire technique as a guideline to possibly get rid of my procrastination habits

Advice I would give to students would be to keep your focus on the tasks at hand, but make it less complicated to focus with some of the tips provided. Turn your big goal into a set of little goals to keep yourself motivated, make sure distractions are limited, and always give yourself enough time to complete the tasks at hand.

Communicating and Collaborating

The most useful bit of information I learned in Module 2 was not just the aspects of a blog, but the tools that can come with the blogging world as well. These tools are Trello, OneNote, and Slack, with each having a specific job that can be incorporated in many ways. Trello helps manage projects by assigning tasks to keep group-work as well as individual work on track. OneNote helps gather ideas with the ability to share these ideas across groups of users. Lastly, Slack is strictly a communication tool helping groups quickly communicate between each other.

An example of something from this module I already incorporate in my life is Cloud Computing. I have used Google Docs a lot throughout my college career and it is a great way to complete group assignments as everyone can edit the document all at once, plus the ability to view what each person has edited since the last time I logged in. The autosave feature on Google Docs is convenient as well.

Ideas students could use from this module to put into practice is the mindset to assume you are in a face-to-face conversation when you are communicating with someone in any online situation, whether it’d be email or writing a post on Twitter. Having this type of mindset that you are physically with the person improves your online communication in ways such as grammar and respect. This is an idea to put into practice the next time you send an email or interact with someone on social media.

Advice I’d give to students based on what I’ve read in this module, is to be aware of your Netiquette. This goes hand-in-hand with the idea of having the mindset of talking to someone face-to-face in online interactions. Netiquette is internet etiquette, and having netiquette protects a person’s digital reputation. Avoiding confrontation/arguments online is one way to keep your internet etiquette respected. Just think about your netiquette next time you log onto social media and remember that anything you post online, is there forever.