Distance education, like online learning, presents one of the best academic opportunities for grade-school and college students alike. Distance learning connects students to classrooms digitally, allowing the flow of classroom materials and lessons through the Internet or email. While the benefits of distance education are profound, students should take advantage of these five tips recommended by mommyenterprises, a top online resource for mothers.
Learn Critical Thinking Skills
Critical thinking goes beyond surface-level readings of texts. With critical thinking, students take an objective look at a subject, then analyze its meaning from multiple perspectives. In an English class, students might use critical thinking to interpret a story’s theme. While with Science or Math courses, outside-the-box thinking can help a student prove a theory or complete an experiment. Or, maybe even arrive at a correct answer using a different mathematical approach. To improve their grades, students should learn critical thinking skills, which have a positive impact on their understanding of the course materials.
Ask Questions Early
Everyone asks questions, and for students, the more questions they ask, the better. Students might be unaware that a 4-year-old asks 437 questions a day. In a classroom setting, students can benefit from asking questions spontaneously. In distance learning, sending an email to an instructor at the start of the week is ideal; the more time instructors have to respond, the more time a student has to adjust their approach to the lesson, assignment, textbook reading, or exam. Distance learning courses move quickly, with assignments due in days. Like with online learning, sometimes these assignments can overwhelm a student rather quickly, therefore emphasizing the need to gain a full understanding of the week’s lesson as soon as possible.
Be an Active Participant
Students looking to excel in a classroom should look for creative ways to get engaged. An active participant in a distance learning classroom will regularly post responses in discussion forums. They’ll prompt further discussion from other students and provoke deeper questioning to advance comprehension. The best grades and academic performance come when students aren’t limited to a mere back-and-forth exchange of information. There’s a reason why 55% of parents think digital schooling is conducive to their child’s learning style, and just know: a child’s learning style depends on being able to connect to learning digitally. And digital, or distance learning is done best when students are engaged. Everyone has to be enthusiastic in the process.
Improve Technological Literacy
Some technological skills are essential to having even a basic ability to succeed in a distance learning environment. Take, for example, Microsoft Office, which consists of a suite of office applications including Microsoft Word. At its core, the program serves a student’s primary ability to complete assignments per academic standards. Being able to perform Internet research, conduct advanced searches, and exchange email are critical to a student’s ability to succeed. Yet, far too often, students have one or the other, but might be missing the kind of literacy they need to excel. Taking supplementary courses outside of school can improve a student’s knowledge of the Internet, devices, and even the future of technology.
Embrace Time Management Skills
Time management courses can elevate a student who’s struggling to a position of academic confidence.. For students, time management is prioritizing and goal-setting and tracking the hours they spend engaged on a specific subject. Disorganized, random study sessions consume a student’s studies, ultimately leading to confusion and frustration regarding the course materials and lessons. One study found that roughly 50% of 2,000 people that were surveyed had a clutter problem. Clutter in the mind is clutter in how a student approaches their studies. Completing work on time, getting plenty of rest, and eating well are basic strategies for making sure a student can properly manage their time.
Students can excel in a distance learning environment, so long as they embrace time management skills, technological skills, critical thinking skills, and active participation. For students looking to get ahead, asking questions early is an ideal way to remain on schedule academically. Success as a distance learning student depends on consistency and responsible study habits, all of which can be expanded upon in a distance learning environment.
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