7 Commonly Made Online Learning Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
by Elizabeth Hines
Online learning has become the biggest change for so many school children, students, parents, and teachers over the past year. Sometimes, it can feel like an online class will clear up your hectic schedule and make life easier for you. Other times, an online class might not feel like a real commitment and can get forgotten. The world is very hectic at the moment, and it is important to make online learning the priority it really is. Here are 7 mistakes that are easy to make when it comes to online education, and how to avoid them.
1. Not Understanding your Learning Style
I am sure that throughout your educational career, you have heard a fair bit about learning styles. In face-to-face classes, your teacher can understand and give you a better idea of your learning style, but this connection and understanding is harder through online platforms. Your learning style will need to be catered to by YOU, as you self-teach the materials you have been presented with, and study fairly un-accompanied. You need to understand what kind of learning works best for you.
2. Seclusion and Loneliness
It is often the case that online classes can be very isolating, as it is harder to connect with people over a computer screen (as we probably all know by now). Sitting in your bedroom for hours upon end on your own is not exactly sociable and is unlikely to fill you with joy. So, reach out to your online companions! Try to connect during group projects, suggest an in-person study session if it is possible, and build relationships with people who are in a similar situation to yourself. You will often find that they were wanting connection just as much as you.
3. A Poor or Ineffective Study Environment
Get rid of all distractions. When taking an online course in your bedroom, you can be easily distracted with thoughts such as, “I really have to clean my room,” and “My bed is right there, I could just take a quick nap.” Pick a place where you take your online class, and only take it there. Just like a classroom, you should have an assigned location for learning new material and studying. This will improve your learning and help you get into a routine.
4. Not Asking for Help
Asking for help when you need it is one of the most powerful skills of learning that you can have as a student. One of the most important things to learn as a student is that asking for help and knowing when you need help is a sign of strength, not a sign of weakness. Even though your courses are online, your professor is still there to help. They are in the position they are for a reason and know a lot more than you do! Ask for help when you need it, and you will find yourself in a much better position both in your course and your life.
5. Neglecting Time Management & Procrastinating
Procrastination is the enemy of the student. Time management is key to any student studying on their course; but it gains a different level of importance in online classes. How you focus your studies and use your time is entirely up to you; there is no pressure of an in-person class schedule. It is all up to you. Procrastination is a whole lot easier when you do not have the pressure of in-person lectures, making time management more of a beast during online lessons.
6. Viewing Online Classes as Easy
Online classes are far from easy! Although they might save you the drive to a campus, the content and materials are the same, and you are having to teach yourself more of the content due to online classes.
7. Technology Issues
Technology is so difficult sometimes, and there are days where you will think it is actually out to get you. Try to not get frustrated and have the right equipment to complete your course to the best of your ability.
Online classes are definitely not the easy option, and deserve the same amount of attention, time, and commitment as in-person classes. As we come to understand the place that online learning now has in our modern world, we need to learn to tackle the issues that it raises too. Hopefully these seven ‘top tips’ will help you understand and avoid some of the pitfalls of online learning.
About the Author: Elizabeth Hines is a digital marketer and online content writer at Assignment service. She enjoys writing about education and learning styles.
1. Not Understanding your Learning Style
I am sure that throughout your educational career, you have heard a fair bit about learning styles. In face-to-face classes, your teacher can understand and give you a better idea of your learning style, but this connection and understanding is harder through online platforms. Your learning style will need to be catered to by YOU, as you self-teach the materials you have been presented with, and study fairly un-accompanied. You need to understand what kind of learning works best for you.
2. Seclusion and Loneliness
It is often the case that online classes can be very isolating, as it is harder to connect with people over a computer screen (as we probably all know by now). Sitting in your bedroom for hours upon end on your own is not exactly sociable and is unlikely to fill you with joy. So, reach out to your online companions! Try to connect during group projects, suggest an in-person study session if it is possible, and build relationships with people who are in a similar situation to yourself. You will often find that they were wanting connection just as much as you.
3. A Poor or Ineffective Study Environment
Get rid of all distractions. When taking an online course in your bedroom, you can be easily distracted with thoughts such as, “I really have to clean my room,” and “My bed is right there, I could just take a quick nap.” Pick a place where you take your online class, and only take it there. Just like a classroom, you should have an assigned location for learning new material and studying. This will improve your learning and help you get into a routine.
4. Not Asking for Help
Asking for help when you need it is one of the most powerful skills of learning that you can have as a student. One of the most important things to learn as a student is that asking for help and knowing when you need help is a sign of strength, not a sign of weakness. Even though your courses are online, your professor is still there to help. They are in the position they are for a reason and know a lot more than you do! Ask for help when you need it, and you will find yourself in a much better position both in your course and your life.
5. Neglecting Time Management & Procrastinating
Procrastination is the enemy of the student. Time management is key to any student studying on their course; but it gains a different level of importance in online classes. How you focus your studies and use your time is entirely up to you; there is no pressure of an in-person class schedule. It is all up to you. Procrastination is a whole lot easier when you do not have the pressure of in-person lectures, making time management more of a beast during online lessons.
6. Viewing Online Classes as Easy
Online classes are far from easy! Although they might save you the drive to a campus, the content and materials are the same, and you are having to teach yourself more of the content due to online classes.
7. Technology Issues
Technology is so difficult sometimes, and there are days where you will think it is actually out to get you. Try to not get frustrated and have the right equipment to complete your course to the best of your ability.
Online classes are definitely not the easy option, and deserve the same amount of attention, time, and commitment as in-person classes. As we come to understand the place that online learning now has in our modern world, we need to learn to tackle the issues that it raises too. Hopefully these seven ‘top tips’ will help you understand and avoid some of the pitfalls of online learning.
About the Author: Elizabeth Hines is a digital marketer and online content writer at Assignment service. She enjoys writing about education and learning styles.
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