Posts

Module 7: Keys to learning motivation for Online learning

Despite what most of us would want, we’re most likely going to stick with online learning – if not fully, then partly. So how can we possibly make it an enjoyable experience, or at least one that ins’t boring or difficult? In this module I learned about a few apps and tips that can make online learning a little more enjoyable. If it is available, dedicating a spot such as desk and table, or even a seat on a dining table as a dedicated studying spot could be helpful. Studying on your bed or anywhere that doesn’t force you to sit up with your iPad/laptop in front of you could be difficult to stay alert and comprehend what you’re learning. Another important factor to take in during online learning is to eliminate distractions. In a classroom setting, you most likely wont be allowed to be on your phone, laptop etc. So pretend as though you are in class and put away or move away anything that could potentially be distracting. Some ways you can do that is use apps like forest, or stay focused to help assist in avoiding distractions. Also another good way to avoid distractions is to have a clear space, make sure you’re not surrounded by anything that doesn’t need to be there, that could help strengthen your focus. Finally, my last and most important thing I learned is to seek help and take care of my mental health. We have great resources on campus to do that, it is normal to feel discouraged down or dealing with something that might make it hard to stay on track. So reaching out to a professional in the counseling and wellness center could potentially be helpful, it’s worth a try.

Module 6: Searching and Researching: The Foundations of Academic Writing

The one subject in this module that I found to be the most useful, yet the most simple of them; is how to narrow a topic. As a Political Science major, it is often required of me to write papers. Although I am a senior this year, coming up with a thesis is still something I struggle with badly. So reading on how to narrow a topic made me think of all the times that these tips could have coin in handy. It is very important to understand exactly what topic you want to write about in order to completely answer it and be successful in writing the paper, so the diagram along with the tips and lessons on how to successfully narrow down a topic instantly became the most useful thing that I have learned in this module. In the future I will be applying the tips on writing a college paper alongside with how to narrow down a topic. As a pre-law student, and a current Liberal Arts student I know that this is a skill that I am going to have to master in order to thrive in law school, and have a smooth finish for undergrad. One of the first tips I took and appreciated is pretend to like and genuinely be interested in the subject in order to gather as much information as possible on it. Another tip the video brought up was to pretend that I do not have any resources, and to gather and think of what I already know and create somewhat of an outline before going on the internet where there is endless amount of information on whatever you need. These tips along with a few others are ones that I have been and will be applying to my papers in the near future. Advice that I would give to students that also have to deal with writing a lot of papers, is to simply pretend. Pretend as though you like the subject, and pretend as though you really are intrigued and want to learn and teach the subject that you are writing about. It may seem difficult and boring at first, but you might end up enjoying it towards the end and learn perform a lot better on your paper.

Module 5: Web-Enhanced Listening and Viewing Strategies

One of the most significant things that I learned in this module among-st others, is the difference between writing your notes down vs. typing your notes down. One of the first thing I did starting my college career was typing my notes. This initially put me at a significant advantage as I always was the person who made quiz lets for everyone in the class because of my extensive in depth note taking. However, I was not able to take part in class discussions because I was so focused on taking notes that I sometimes miss the discussions or even miss the concept in itself. Another problem I faced was that I almost always had to review and write down the notes after class in order to really grasp the concept and be able to thoroughly understand it. After this module I was convinced that I should switch to mainly hand writing notes, so I will provide a list of tips I picked up this module to master note taking on paper.

The first tip is to use the outline method, essentially a note system that is based off of bullet points (higher level/ lower level bullet points). The next method is the Cornell method. You basically divide your paper into three different sections, you make the left column the “cue” column, and the right column the note taking column. The column underneath the two columns is the summary. The special thing about this method is that after the class/lecture is over, you can write and questions you have or pointers you want to review in the cue column. Finally, another method that I especially like is the mind map method. To visualize it, the mind map is a blank piece of paper where you draw circle in the middle then put the title on the top, then you branch of subtopics and you’ll create a mind map. This can be a great way to group dense information, and a really good method for someone who has a creative mind and an eye for organization/noting ideas in a unique way – this can make it easier to recall information during a test!

We are all unique and process information in different ways, one thing might work for someone else and not for you and vice versa! and that is completely okay. I would advice anyone who is looking to improve their note taking skills to find a method that works for them. It can be one, or a mix of two! Also, it is important to note that different methods may work for different classes or subjects differently. So discover what method works for you, and what classes you’re taking in the upcoming semester and compare your class experience!

 

Module 4: Web-Enhanced Reading and Study Strategies

One of the most important things that I learned in this module is regarding memorization. Memorization was something that I have struggled with often in the past, and has affected my performance on my tests/exams. As a student, memorization makes up a big chunk of studying and preparing for classes. So how could you become better at memorization? The tips that I learned from this module are ones that I believe to be the most effective, and a few that I have already applied and proved to be effective. The first tip is to turn what you are trying to memorize into discussion. It can be difficult to memorize something just by reading it or repeating it, but have you tried talking to yourself or a peer? Turning the content into discussions can help it stick like an interesting conversation would. Another tip is to study in an environment similar to the environment that you will be taking the test in, so if you will be taking it in your classroom – study for the test in any available classroom as there has been research proven to strengthen the link of memory in similar settings. Finally a few concepts that I have already applied to my life and have been effective is starting from a very general standpoint – then slowly easing into the details. You want to make sure you see and understand the big picture first before you try to fill your mind with details, starting more general can help your comprehension as you begin to focus more on details. Finally, a last tip for memorization is to test yourself. Sit in an empty classroom and remove anything that you would not be allowed to have during a test. Set a timer and act as though you are in a real test, this can help you focus on what you need to practice working on and what you’re doing well in. If I could give you my best advice it would be to not stress over it, stress can make it difficult to remember anything, so remember; remembering 75% or 80% confidently is a lot better than not remembering anything at all because you’re too busy freaking out about remembering every single detail. Relax, be confident and know you will do alright. I know I will do the same.

Module 3: Time management and productivity

Reading this module, I began to slowly perceive it as a personal attack as many of the rhetorical questions or examples provided seemed like they were a little too perfectly tailored for me; but then I later read that this is the case for 95% of people. So what could possibly be the reason for us to procrastinate? it’s not like we inherently want to be stressed, be behind and not do so well on things we could do very well on. Well there is no clear cut answer for that, but this module showed me many and they all applied to me, and could very well apply to you too. So here are a list of habits we can build and habits we can remove. How often are we realistic with what we put on our to do list, if that even is something we do? Time management is our friend – and here is why. Say we have a big project creeping up soon – but we have a week to complete. How do we write this on our to do list? we divide the project up into small sections with short term goals nearing the due date. Starting to plan and map out how we do that way ahead can help us divide it into smaller and shorter goals; making the big project seem a little less overwhelming. Another tip is to write out time blocks, maybe it isn’t as simple as one project. Maybe you have work, school and other obligations. Divide time blocks in your day where you dedicate a certain time period in which you complete tasks throughout the day. That way you will know for example, that from 3-5 you will be spending time working on your homework; and from 6-8 you will spend time working on a work project. Finally, the only way we can successfully achieve this is by cutting out or restricting certain distractions. How could you work on your homework from 3-5 when there is Twitter drama going on that’s quite heated? Save yourself the temptation and turn off your phone. Put it in another room, make it so that it is easier to just sit and get work done.

Finally, I will provide resources that I found to be very useful and could help with all the tips that I learned in the module this week. These resources will be linked at the bottom of this post. To work ahead and divide your time blocks and deadlines, start on google calendar. A simple platform that allows you to create several different calendars and color code them based off of the task. Another good recourse is google tasks, easily accessible and right in your face all the time if you’re someone that spends a lot of time on the phone. These resources would all require a gmail account. However I will also list resources that just require a smart phone. Download the app “Remember the Milk” if you have a lot of tasks and work with groups a lot. It’s accessible through many software and platforms including gmail – and you are able to share it with anyone. If you are someone who struggles with time management within work loads, then download toggle; it basically tracks all the time you spend on projects and tasks. Finally, if you are someone who writes notes or important things wherever you can; download ever note. It’s an app that allows you to capture absolutely anything in whatever means (voice, video, text) in one app – that will help you stay organized! I know I will be using it. Hope these tips helped, I know they helped me!

https://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/top-15-time-management-apps-and-tools.html

https://mcgraw.princeton.edu/effective-time-management

Module 2 reflection: Communicating and Collaborating on the web.

The entirety of the online communication concept is not new to me. I have learned at some point that a lot of employers and recruiters check your social media pages to find out more about the person they are considering to hire. I also learned early in my college career the importance of being formal, and respectful when sending your professor an email. This module however, taught me a few other things that I know will stick with me and I would be able to apply to my future college career, and career life.

The most important thing that I have learned from this module was how to deal with group workers who come off as lazy or unresponsive. I always assumed that that is the part of the semester where you just get unlucky; but there are solutions to that problem. A few tips that I found important were setting up the first meeting where everyone divides the roles among themselves, shares several amounts of communication methods and sets mini-deadlines. Setting mini-deadlines before the final deadlines is important as it keeps group workers accountable in front of the rest of the group, and keeps the whole group and project on track. Something else that is quite important is to see this group as practice for your career, and to see the professor as the boss or the manager. If you do everything possible to try to get the rest of the team to do their part and nothing is working, it would be upon myself to suck it up and just do their part. Initially that would be a conversation with my professor, but now that I think of it as practice for my career; I would try to do whatever I can to make sure the project finishes on time.

As a senior with only one year left to go, I have a few tips on how to make online classes a bit easier. First, stay in touch with your professor; do NOT let the only time your professor know your name when you need help. Introduce yourself and let your name be known early on. This is important as it familiarizes the professor with who you are and shows the professor you care about doing well in the class. Another tip would be to read EVERYTHING. Do not be the student that asks about something that the professor already provided in the syllabus or instructions. Every time you communicate with the professor, it shows them a little bit more of who you are, so ask wisely. Finally, the most important tip; you can accomplish all these things when you work ahead. Working in a relaxed atmosphere with far away deadlines gives you time to thoroughly read, communicate with the professor if needed and make sure you are completing every part of the assignment properly. When you choose to start an assignment could be the difference between a letter grade.