Online studying, as with completing any other kind of studies, opens a world of opportunities. In my blog I am going to highlight some areas that may help you with studying on the internet and focusing on time management for your studies. I recently completed some research by asking a group of SACOB OLC students a series of questions relating to how they completed their studies online using the SACOB Online Classroom and if they had any tips for others who are completing studies via web browser.
Those of us who are completing our studies online face many distractions, which can range from live chats amongst our friends to cat videos, to funny pictures the list goes on. The fact is that we have easy access to surf the internet at the same time as we need to study and this can be quite a challenge. I mean hey, why not, with free internet access or uncapped ADSL. Whilst this may sidetrack us from our studies and as we struggle to focus on our OLC environment these are just minor side effects compared to the great benefits of studying on the internet.
The research showed that the majority of SACOB online students prefer to complete their studies on the weekend and this is when they have the time to sit down and focus on their studies and used the SACOB Question and Answer platform constantly to check other questions that students have asked and to compare their findings. All our OLC Students found that watching our Concept videos provided in SACOB’s Online Classroom helped them to better understand their work and they included these into their studies on a regular basis and insisted that other SACOB students using the OLC make regular use of these to better aid them in their studies.
Being able to communicate with your peers is sometimes very useful. However, not everyone makes use of this tool. My findings showed that 60% of our students didn’t make use of our Student Forum tool to chat among their peers and those who did use it found it helpful and would recommend to others to make use of it.
Below are some tips on how to study on the internet and make sure you get the most out of your studies.
- Where to start: If you are new to internet based Learning, before you start with your studies first find your way around your Classroom as there is much available to you and many tools you can use. Ensure you know your way around by watching the SACOB Welcome and Introductory videos which will help you to know where to find and access your modules, videos and quizzes.
- Sufficient time: It is advised that one allocates sufficient time to their studies and depending on what kind of student you are will determine how much time you need to put into your studies, how much revision and actual study time you need. This will also determine how often you will need to make use of your OLC and the resources provided to you to help you in completing your studies. Create a timetable for yourself and try sticking to this.
- Keep Track: Using your study timetable plot your projected study times for when you will be most effective at studying. Then use the study timetable as a guideline to progress through your studies and keep track with the amount of work you have completed and how much work you still need to do. This will help prevent you from running short on time and having to resort to cramming last minute the night before your exam.
- Use what you have: SACOB offers you extra help and resources for your studies. So make use of these, as they will always have vital information relating to your studies that will help to do better. Your Student Advisors are available for you to call, so if you are feeling lost and need someone to help guide you, just give us a call.
- Questions: Even if you don’t have questions for your lecturer take note of the ones your peers ask as they may come in handy while you are completing your studies.
- Study Maps and Schedules: If, like SACOB, your provider provides you with study maps and schedules keep these close to you as this lets you know what modules you need to work through when your assignments are due. This also helps you to keep track of time and whether you are allocating sufficient time to move through your weekly modules that are being released. The weekly Modules are a great schedule to base your own Study Schedule on.
- Availability of Internet based Studies: There is never a time when your Online Classroom should not be available, the SACOB Online Classroom is available to students 24/7. Take your lunch break to work through your modules, or while you are waiting for the bus or the train, access your Online Classroom, every little bit counts. It’s also good to note that the Concept Videos provided are short and concise so that you don’t have to sit on one video too long.
- Quizzes: SACOB provides self test quizzes for students at the end of each module. These are there to help you to test your knowledge for that particular module. If you are finding difficulty answering these questions, take it as an indication that you should go over the sections that those questions relate to.
- Revision: Revision time is for you to go through the work you have completed. Make use of your revision videos, study guides and your sample assessment questions as these will help you in preparing for your exams and insuring you are on track with your studies.
If you found these tips helpful, you may also want to take a look at these blogs of ours:
Tips for Tackling an Online Course
In closing, Internet based Learning does differ in that it is much more flexible but requires a bit more time management and dedication and where you may not be able to get answers from your lecturer straight away, it still provides you with access to the same things you may have in a classroom or face to face based learning. With OLC students don’t necessarily need to have desktop PCs to complete their course/courses as OLC can be achieved and accessed through most devices such as your Smart phone, Tablet, Ipad or laptop. There has never been a better time than now to get started with your studies no matter how you decide to complete them.
Written by Tanja Napier