3 Classic Study Strategies that Speed Online Learning

If you want to get some perspective about the power of computers as teaching machines, think about Socrates. That’s right – Socrates, the dude who did himself in by drinking hemlock juice. History tells us that every day, Athenian students would gather in a circle around Socrates while he gave long talks and engaged them in spirited conversations.

That’s a pretty inefficient way to learn. Today, we can fire up our computers and review page after page of information, all presented in an engaging, interactive format. If Socrates saw the teaching power of computers, he would probably drop his toga and run for the nearest Best Buy to get one of his own.

Yes, computers are powerful learning tools. But the problem is, they are also capable of quickly delivering vast quantities of information - more information than most people can easily absorb. If you’ve ever had the feeling that it’s challenging to shuttle all that information from your computer screen into your cerebral cortex, these classic learning strategies can help.

1. Strategy one: Take notes. Sounds pretty unexciting, right? But the fact is, taking notes on paper while you are studying online is a highly effective way to internalize information. And there is more to it than simply writing down facts so you can study them later on. When you write down information, you remember more of it. Try it – it works.
   
   
2. Strategy two: Talk to people about what you are learning. Old Socrates knew the power of dialogue as a learning tool. When you talk stuff over, you remember more of it. And it still works today. So if you’re taking say, an online accounting course, get in the habit of saying to a friend, “Hey, let me tell you what I learned today.” (You might need to get new friends every week or two, but you’re learning, right?)
   
   
3. Strategy three: Start using your knowledge as soon as you can. If you’re taking an online college statistics course, say, start analyzing companies right away – or find a way to start using your new analytical chops on the job. One of the most powerful ways to internalize concepts is to start using them. As soon as information becomes practical, not theoretical, it sticks in your mind.
   

And another strategy for better online learning . . .

Make sure to select online courses that have been developed by organizations like Straighterline, that deliver information in an engaging, interactive format. It takes great course developers to create great online college courses – and you’ll find them here.


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How Distance Learners Can Make College Rock

There’s more to higher education than sitting in a classroom. After hitting the books, college students play ultimate, date, party, flirt, order pizza, and grab late-night lattes to keep their eyes open.

Sound good? Yes, it is. But what if you are a distance learner? Does that mean that you can’t enjoy all those extras? Not necessarily. Here are some ways to keep college rocking, even if your campus looks more like a laptop than a grassy quad.

• Join a Facebook Group for your online college. Our StraighterLine group is a great example. It works like a virtual campus where students can connect and communicate about their online college experiences.
  
  
• Visit your online school’s blog and comment on what you see there. Hopefully, your school has one where you can stay attuned to what is happening – and interact with your school’s representatives and other students.

• Create your own Facebook Group to stay connected to other students in your area. Setting up a Facebook Group is quick and easy. Consider starting one for students who are taking the same courses that you are – or for all distance learners who live in your area. The result? An instant community that keeps the college experience real.

• Set up a Twitter account and send out tweets about your learning experiences. The result can be a fast-growing community of people who are attending your online school – or tweeting about distance learning in general. Example: A quick search for “Straighterline” on Twitter just turned up a bunch of tweets that have already been flying around about us.

• Find real-world replacements for the stuff that your online school doesn’t offer. Instead of the university gym, you can head to your local health club. Instead of hanging at the dining hall, you can grab lunch with other students – maybe those who you just met on Facebook or Twitter. Instead of flirting with that cutie over a foamy barista drink, you can . . . hey, we don’t have to tell you everything, do we?

The point is, taking courses online doesn’t mean that you have to go it alone.


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