Things you should know about online learning

Many students sign up for online classes under the premise that they can complete courses at their own pace, they can remain anonymous because they aren’t required to participate, and that online classes are easier than taking classes on campus.

These things are rarely true in an online learning environment.

Although online classes allow for you to dictate your own schedule, it’s not usually in the way people expect.  Most online courses still follow the regular semester calendar.  Your assignments still have due dates and there are assigned times to take tests and participate in group discussions.  Some classes even have attendance policies where students are required to log a number of hours online as part of their grade.  The biggest benefit of online classes is that the time of day you log on to complete your course work is up to you, if you have a full time job and can only log on in the evening you’re capable of doing that but, you are still required to follow a course schedule which allows the class to move cohesively at the same pace through the course material.

Another common misconception among students is the belief that in an online learning environment they won’t be required to interact with other students and professors.  Truth is, the majority of online classes offer discussion forums with both the instructors as well as other students.  In some cases these interactive components are necessary and participation in them is used to calculate a student’s grade.  Students can gain a lot from online discussion as well. Large lectures often don’t allow for intense discussion simply because of class sizes.  An online forum, on the other hand, permits students to contribute when they are available and also gives introverted students the ability to participate in a non-threatening environment.

The biggest myth about online classes is that they are easier to complete than traditional on campus courses.  This one is probably the most important thing to remember.  Online classes can be extremely demanding.  In order to complete them successfully students have to be determined, disciplined and self motivated.  It’s easy to procrastinate when you don’t have a class to attend and the daily demands of working, a social life or parenting seem more important.  It’s critical that online students be prepared for a heavy workload filled with reading and are capable of managing their time efficiently.

No matter which learning style you prefer online or on campus, the life of a student is hectic at times.  Choose an environment that best suits your learning style and pick classes you enjoy or that interest you until you get into a productive routine.  The transition can be hard but, it’s definitely worth it!

How to Understand an Intimidating Research Article

While you are attending college to get one of the best careers, you will need to do research at some point. After successfully finding a few articles on your topic, reading through them seems like a daunting task. It can be intimidating to read through a long, complicated article. Here are some tips to get you through reading these research reports.

A scientific research report has but one purpose, to communicate to others the results of their scientific investigation.  To this there is a standard format that has been developed to utilize effective communication. There are 6 key components:

Headings
This contains the information you will need to cite your source, including the title, name of author(s), any institutional affiliations. Also the title will clue you into the article's object.

Abstract
This will help to set the stage and provide you with a brief overview. It is a condensed version of the article that will briefly provide the statement of the problem, methods used, major results of the study, and their conclusions.

Introduction
The introduction will provide the thesis which will sum up the entire article into one or two sentences, found in the first or second paragraph. If the article is a literature review, it will follow similar to a funnel, broad and wide at the start, and gradually become more narrow. Also the author should briefly provide rationale for the study, then tell you quickly how they did the study. Lastly should be the results, if the hypothesis they tested was correct or if they had unexpected findings. I suggest highlighting the thesis and labeling it if possible on your copy.

Method
After the author has given you the introduction, they will get into the nuts and bolts. They should explain in this section the detailed information in how they set up the study, including describing participants. Following should be procedures used described in detail. Highlight and/or underline what you feel is the key points of the details.

Results
This is where all of the author's hard work ends up. Usually there will be statistical information, complicated charts and graphs that the author has worked very hard to complete. Their vast knowledge is difficult to convey sometimes into a language that the average student can understand. Try to break it down into parts. Underline and label the important key details you find interesting to your research topic.

Discussion
Evaluation and interpretation is the key basis for this part of the article, to conclude the work done. They will let you know if their hypothesis was supported, they may alert you to any further research that may need to be done. Finally they will conclude, restating quickly and efficiently what they have found. Again you should underline or highlight and label the key parts.

After you are finished reading through the article, GO TELL SOMEONE! It will stick in your mind easier if you can tell someone about the article, what the author did and discovered. A professor suggested this to me last year and it really does help me retain information better. 

Managing Your Study

Good study habits begin as early as a child learns her ABCs and 123s. When a child enters a school, she should have the notion that both learning and going to school are fun.
It is the parents’ and the guardians’ role to develop study skills. This is done through regular reading, making learning an enjoyable experience, balancing play and study, and reviewing notes every day.  So when the periodical test days come, you won't need to cram.   Once she understands these things, it will not be difficult for her to manage her studies as she progresses in her schooling, especially when she will go to college. More so if she gets into either a scholarship grant or a foreign exchange study program. Below are guidelines that I made for you. It will direct you to study effectively and achieve success in your university life.
On Procrastination and Distractions Be responsible of your time. Use it well in the most productive way. Don’t create barriers thinking that your study is one obstacle you need to overcome. Take it as a challenge and find motivation. Set a daily study period and stick to it.
When you do this, you will have more time for other chores like paying your bills, going to the gym and making important calls. During your study period, turn off your phone and close your door. On Time Management Each subject you have entails at least 8 to 12 hours per week for you to study and review it. Create a realistic timetable or schedule that will include your study time and your work, and other activities like family and social commitments.
On the Lack of Study Space Aside from the library, look for a quiet place in your home or in your campus where you can be alone and study uninterruptedly.  Bring only the things you need. Keep your desk clear and free from things that may distract you.
On Disinterest All of us have that least favored subject. I never liked Math, yet I still tackled it.  Stay motivated and maintain a positive attitude towards your study. Finish first the least favored subject’s assignments. Treat each topic seriously and accept the uninteresting nature of the subject. Reward yourself if you have spent a productive hour on the subject.
	On Reading Reading is part of our lives. Every day we read manuals, magazines, newspapers, maps, books and others. When you study your lessons, identify your purpose and reasons why you read the text. Highlight words and phrases that are important.
Take notes. Skim by reading the text for main ideas. Review and get that habit of reading your notes and assignments right after your study periods. It is through these ways that you will have better grasp of the subject matter and retain the information. Always remember that there is not just one way to make the best result for each student. It is more about being determined, rather than being greatly intelligent.  Compared to intellectual ability, success has more to do with well developed skills. Strive for success! You can do it. Prepared by: Liezel Magno Castro