Learning strategies for the new normal

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a significant shift in the way we operate, discover and link with others.

Even though there are a variety of properly-known organisations within Australia that present on the web formal qualifications, Open Colleges staying one particular of them, not all faculties ended up ready to make the change to a completely online finding out natural environment.

At the get started of the pandemic in Australia, there was a rapid transition from physical school rooms to digital classrooms. Many campuses had to scramble quickly to transform their classes into a electronic, distant-friendly structure.

But as hard as this quick transition was for bricks-and-mortar universities, it was an even a lot more jarring practical experience for students.

Even so, inspite of the on the net mastering curve for pupils and educational institutions, there are quite a few benefits to on the web learning. And this shift away from standard school rooms could be the new regular for numerous Australian students.

Is on the net understanding the new normal?

On the internet research could be the new usual for the potential of instruction in Australia. And a person of the most compelling arguments is big details.

In the correct hands, large information can be employed to uncover trends and attain vital insights. For instance, in education this info can be employed to strengthen college student outcomes, personalise curricula and lessen the pupil dropout charge.

Through the use of machine learning and algorithms, it is achievable to keep track of how pupils are progressing.

If a certain college student is lagging powering, then the algorithm can identify the regions in which they’re failing and mail an alert to the student’s Instructor or Trainer. This would signal to the Educator that this individual pupil desires aid in a specific spot, and the Educator can then perform to support bridge that know-how hole. This could assist to stop college students from slipping as a result of the cracks.

On the other hand, the algorithm could also be utilised to recognize learners who are excelling quickly. This would imply that college students who are executing over normal would be presented the guidance they need to have to achieve their whole potential, as a substitute of possessing to wait around for their classmates to capture up.

The training process demands to reflect our transforming wants

Our lives are changing and its imperative that the training program can maintain up.

The common Australian is possible to alter positions after each individual 3 years or so. It’s no longer common for men and women to commit to the exact vocation route for their full working lifetime, and persons now have the liberty to modify professions when it suits them.

To aid this have to have, it is crucial that the proper kind of formal online programs are available. For numerous Australians who are functioning comprehensive time and desire to improve professions, it is just not functional to show up at a bodily campus entire- or part-time. Instead, on the internet instruction is the most apparent and convenient choice.

Engagement performs a huge part in on-line learning student achievements

Irrespective of the clear added benefits of on-line understanding and what it can offer you pupils, present day learners will want to establish new learning strategies to navigate online instruction.

The bigger education studying natural environment can be quite diverse to what superior college pupils have earlier experienced in terms of workload, time administration and time invested interacting with their friends and Instructors. The exact can be said for an on the internet discovering ecosystem.

How perfectly a university student adjusts to their new studying setting can have a direct effect on their educational good results. This is component of the on the web studying curve, but it is essential to a student’s grades.

A student’s engagement is also vital to their good results. A new study identified that college students in New Zealand who experienced to quickly changeover to an on the web understanding atmosphere ‘adopted a discovering strategy that coordinated their on the internet LMS engagement with course evaluation owing day. Pupils had a 388% (SD 58%) greater precise engagement with the LMS on the assessment owing day and the day prior, than through the remainder of their system.’

Even so: ‘a very clear connection among the amount of scholar LMS engagement and scholar system quality existed. For just about every extra 7 days of zero LMS engagement, the odds of a scholar attaining. a quality lessen than B were 1.67 occasions larger (95% CI 1.24, 2.26 p < 0.001), regardless of the course.’

This clearly tells us that engagement is critical to a student’s success.

Higher education learning strategies for the new normal

There are a lot of pros to online learning. But it also comes with its own unique challenges. With this in mind, how can online students prepare for the new normal and find effective online higher education learning strategies?

Teachers and Trainers need to be the primary force driving this change and promoting engagement.

Here are a few higher education learning strategies Teachers and Trainers can use to increase learner engagement online:

1. Planning is everything

Ensure that you’re always organised and have a plan laid out. Teaching a class without a plan is difficult enough face-to-face. But with an online class, you also need to think about new and different ways to keep your class engaged.

Synchronous and asynchronous learning both have their place. You could think about mixing things up to ensure that students are engaged with their online lessons.

Also remember to break up your lessons into digestible pieces so your students attention spans to waver.

2. Lead by example

Present yourself well, look into the camera when you present and don’t multi-task while you’re presenting. If you want your students to be engaged, then you need to be engaged, too.

If your students have suddenly had to go from face-to-face lessons to online learning, you don’t want them to think of online as potentially lesser than a physical class. At home, there are more distractions for people. Just because everyone is learning from home online doesn’t mean they can divide their focus between their class, thinking about what to cook for dinner and shopping online.

This means you as the Teacher need to lead by example and set expectations.

3. Think outside the box

There are other ways to teach online that go way beyond delivering a livestream lecture or converting documents into a PDF. Technology today allows us to connect in so many different ways. And Teachers can use this to their advantage in the virtual classroom.

You could start by encouraging students to take part in online polls or real-time online knowledge tests. You could include audio files or videos as part of your lesson. You could

OC’s learning management system, OpenSpace, has been designed with student engagement at its core. Through OpenSpace, students learn through a variety of mediums, and some courses even have interactive tools.

4. Encourage social interaction

Switching to an online learning environment can be tough for some students. But if Teachers can encourage social interaction, the same as students can expect when in physical proximity to their classmates, then this could help to keep them engaged.

Instead of logging on and launching straight into the day’s lesson, encourage students to spend time socialising before you jump into the learning materials.

You can also check in with students on an individual level, just like you would in a classroom environment.

Study tips for online students

When it comes to online learning, there are generally two types – synchronous (when you study alongside other students at the same time) and asynchronous (when you work at your own pace).

Both have their pros and cons. The main benefit of synchronous learning is that you’ll have the support of others in the exact same situation as you.

Asynchronous learning, on the other hand, means you can study at your own pace. You’re not locked into a strict study routine, so you can dedicate as many hours as you want to study each week. This means you can space your study sessions out, or you can power through and complete your online course in record time.

To learn more about online study tips, you can read out blog, ‘8 study tips for online students.’

Is online learning the future of higher education?

The COVID-19 pandemic taught us, if nothing else, that things are not as impossible as they seem. Teachers found ways to convert their lessons into an online format. Students grew used to learning online. While the ride has been far from smooth, and the rapid transition for many physical classrooms into an online environment has been difficult, the Australian education system was able to adapt and pivot in record time.

Does this mean that online study is the new normal? While it’s unlikely we’ll see our bricks and mortar classrooms disappearing for good any time soon, there has been a definite shift in attitudes and perceptions when it comes to online learning and how it can benefit students.

About Chloe Baird

Chloe is an Open Colleges alumnus who now works full time for OC as a Content and Copywriting Specialist. She is passionate about encouraging others to pursue their goals through education.

Tags: Learning strategies, online learning, student success