Uggg… the nightmares come flooding back with this picture. TRAFFIC!
The entirety of my college education was spend commuting about 25% of the day. And you know what? While I got used to it, I hadn’t quite found audio books, podcasts, or any of that type of thing. Quite frankly, I don’t really think they existed at that time (in a format I was interested in using) because it was in the late 90’s and early 2000’s.
My point being, if I was able to better use that commuting time as a virtual “college on wheels” or as general time to learn, then I might have got better use out of it. I might also have hated the commute so much, too!
So, I completely understand why there is interest in online learning these days. Not having to make these horrible, traffic-filled trips out into the real world, spending money and time, is a wonderful thing. But that’s not just it. You want to get most out of your online learning, right? Then there are some other characteristics of online learning that you should know before you dive in.
1) You Need The Right Tools
If you’re going to successfully be doing any kind of online learning, you’ve to have the right software, the right hardware, and possibly even the right learning of certain web applications. You know, you’re going to need a computer with probably a headset (with a microphone) and maybe even a webcam, depending on the course that you’re taking. Here’s one of my old desk setups.
That should seem relatively obvious but you also have to make sure you’ve the right software drivers for these things. You also have to make sure that they’re compatible with whatever web application the course you’re in is using. This also might involve the latest version of JAVA, Flash, or your choice internet browser that is on your computer to make things work.
Don’t read over that lightly as sometimes that can be tough. For instance, if you’re on Windows XP, you won’t be able to get Internet Explorer 9 – ever. That’s just one example, but that’s one thing you need to be aware of and know that you’ve to have the right tools in order to take the class successfully.
2) You Need Time Management
If you don’t have any type of calendar of planning program now, you’re going to need it. Whether that’s the Remember the Milk App on your phone, Google Calendar, Evernote, and maybe even Trello (or some type of project management software that suits you best).
You’ll need these things to start keeping track of things because your professor might do it as thoroughly as your anticipate. Remember, online learning is not as easy as if you’re seeing each other face-to-face every day so you have to take it in your own hands.
3) You Need Self-Motivation
“ALRIGHT! Pizza for lunch again! You guys rock!”
This is going to be tough for a lot of people. This is something that’s a sticking point as when you were growing up you probably had a lot of external motivators to keep you going. External motivators are not where the sustainable productivity is at.
With online learning it is completely internal motivation. There may be external factors that help move you along the way (like doting parents and bad grades). However, unless you’ve got that drive and determination to turn yourself into a self-learner with that fire in your belly to get things done, it’s going to be especially difficult to keep going when times get tough.
Be Awesome & Learn More Online
The most important characteristics of online learning and awesome learners that you’ll need to understand and have in order are the Right Tools, Effective Time Management, and Internal Motivation to drive and go. If you’re ready to start this process of successfully learning online, start by taking a few practice tests that I have here. You’ll be well on your way to a brighter learning future.