How be successful in a distance education course?
Studying without having to leave home and having good online learning resources is already the reality of more than 5.08 million students in our country, according to the EaD Census published by ABED ( Association of Distance Education).
Distance learning (DE) is one of the most sought-after forms of education today, due to the great ease of reconciling study schedules and places. People with little time or who work full-time turned to distance learning.
The time required for each course can be broken down into small intervals throughout the day, which makes this routine easier”. The habits of a student who takes a course in this way must be adapted to his studies and must allow for the necessary dedication.
In addition to all the facilities, distance courses offer a very solid theoretical basis, which requires a lot from the student and requires him to dedicate the same time that he would apply in a face-to-face course. The number of hours per week and the way of studying varies greatly according to each individual, but some habits are fundamental in whatever modality is chosen.
5 Attitudes to be successful in a distance education course
To guide students and potential students of distance learning, Kenia Teixeira highlights 5 attitudes you must have to do well in your studies and have a successful experience in distance learning. Check out:
1. Discipline
Not having fixed daily hours can give the impression that there is no daily obligation to study, but this is not true. It is necessary to be aware that you will need to dedicate your time reading the material, watching the video lessons and doing the proposed activities.
To do this more easily, the tip is to establish the periods you will spend studying – during lunch time, on the bus and at night, for example. During this time, stay away from distractions and extract as much as you can from whatever is being studied.
2. Organization
Don’t let the lack of desks and classrooms stop you from organizing. Have your material complete in the same way as if it were in person and write down your observations and doubts about the content.
At the beginning of each semester or module, a general calendar is available. Plan ahead based on the dates of assessments, activities and other possible face-to-face meetings. Set your own schedule and don’t let anything pile up to the last minute.
3. Dedication
As there is no face-to-face contact with professors and colleagues, there is no direct charge and stimulus on student performance and behavior. In other words: performing the necessary activities and really dedicating yourself depend exclusively on you.
Therefore, dedicating yourself to the course is one of the key attitudes for success in the course. Fulfill all that is proposed and do not hesitate to ask questions with the tutors as they arise.
4. Enthusiasm
Whatever the type of study, motivation and enthusiasm are fundamental components. This is because studying is not just understanding what is explained in the text, but seeing this knowledge in a broader and broader context. This requires add-ons that go far beyond the required stuff.
In most courses, there is no shortage of indications of extra resources and other types of content that might be interesting. Get inside them. In topics of interest or possible areas of activity, redouble this care and read everything possible to learn more about the subject.
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5. Familiarity with technology
As all the processes of a distance course are carried out online, it is necessary to know how to use the available tools well. That is, explore the features of the platform before you even start studying and try to perfectly understand all the necessary procedures. Also, you need a good internet connection.
If you study during your commute from home to work, for example, the tip is to use this time to read and do activities, as the mobile connection is more unstable and the videos, which are heavier, may not play well. Make sure that the internet at your home or work is good and that they won’t let you down when studying or even taking the necessary assessments.