Three Tips For A Successful Online School Semester
This month has us embarking on a new school year different from any other we have had. Some of us are experiencing the change to online school firsthand and others are having to adapt to having kids home from school while trying to maintain a productive work environment. No matter where you are in this stage it is true that these are some of the most unusual circumstances educators and students have ever had to navigate.
I had no concept of what would make me succeed this new year in school so I did some research and found out about what really makes students succeed in distance education. I thought I would talk about what I found in case it might help someone else so feel free to share. Let’s get to it! The three most relevant factors that contribute to successful online learning are : social presence, self-regulation and communication.
Create Social Presence
Social presence in distance learning refers to the idea that students feel connected to one another despite being physically separate. A study conducted in the University of Massey in New Zealand noted that students who built online relationships through open discussion were more emotionally engaged in their online environments. Students who were engaged had similar attitudes toward their courses and similar learning outcomes even when using online tools to interact. The key is to create an environment where you're emotionally involved and invested in the outcome of your learning. As I go through school apart from my peers, it is clear how much of the educational experience is dependent on social contact but here are some things that have helped me so far:
I am sure many other students feel the loss of the connection that comes with the evolution of a class dynamic. I miss talking to my peers after class about how ridiculous school is while soaking up the experience with all its oddities, but we must utilize the technology available to us. I have found video calling is just as effective in creating a sense of camaraderie with my peers as it is in real life.
Self Regulate AKA Stay Focused
One of the most fascinating things about the research on distance learning is that studies show that students sometimes do better in distance education than they do in an actual school. Crazy right?! But it kind of makes sense considering the level of self-control and independent engagement required for distance education. So far, I've had to increase my organization skills and be more productive with my time because I don't have the flow of social checkups that come with being in school. Here’s what’s been working for me:
I have found that the lack of verbal cues from peers and teachers encourages me to stay keenly aware of when my projects are due. It means taking the time to create a strict schedule and following it as best as you can. Being diligent and focused also reduces the chances of you falling behind.
Communicate With Teachers ON TIME
Regardless of whether you are the type of person who can learn on their own or someone who needs regular feedback from professors, the one thing that students of all ages agree on is the importance of communication with their teachers. The issue with communicating in an online environment is the delay between when you ask a question and when the teacher has time to respond. Without that immediate one-on-one interaction with teachers, you are at risk of missing key concepts. Communicating on time is important so you do not find yourself in a panic the night before the test when your teacher isn't responding to your emails (They are probably walking their dog while you freak out). Here are some tips on how get the best out of your correspondence:
Communicating in a timely manner helps get your point across slowly and in a relaxed environment. If it is something you think the answer is something you cannot understand through an email, ask your teacher if they can explain it in their next interactive lecture or tutorial! That way you at least get an interaction similar to when you are in school and other people may benefit from your
Conclusion
This new way of learning reminds us of the crucial role schools play in the development of our personalities through all various relationships that . It gives us the opportunity to reflect on what school is and all the things we learn from interacting with our peers. It is a shame how little effort we put into funding the places we expect to grow from. Through this pandemic, I hope that it enhances our learning processes and gives us better insight into what is really important in our education system.
References:
Kara, M., Can, G., Henderson, S., McGreal, R., Kennepohl, D., & Blomgren, C. (2019). Master’s Students’ Perceptions and Expectations of Good Tutors and Advisors in Distance Education. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 20(2), International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 2019, Vol.20(2).
Louwrens, N., & Hartnett, M. (2015). Student and Teacher Perceptions of Online Student Engagement in an Online Middle School. Journal of Open, Flexible and Distance Learning, 19(1), 27-44.
Toppin, Ian N, & Toppin, Sheila M. (2016). Virtual Schools: The Changing Landscape of K-12 Education in the U.S. Education and Information Technologies, 21(6), 1571-1581.