With the increased accessibility of the internet, it’s no surprise that education has adopted online learning.
E-learning, or electronic learning, has only become popular as educational systems have grown more technologically adept and accommodated more flexible learning opportunities.
Insights on distance learning found that despite the rise of in-person classes, nearly 60% of colleges still plan to retain distance learning into the future.
Studies found that this decision aligns with student preferences, with public institutions finding that online learning led to the highest jump in students at 144% enrollments.
While K-12 and higher education schools are the most well-known end users of e-learning, businesses have also benefited from digital learning strategies.
As more companies transition to remote work, employee training and learning have also moved to online platforms.
Corporate e-learning statistics predict that the market will grow by $37.8 million from 2020 to 2025, with a CAGR of 13%.
The effectiveness of e-learning largely drives this growth. Studies point out that, on average, e-learning improves a learner’s retention rate to 82% and is 40-60% faster to complete than traditional learning.
Given that e-learning is here to stay, it’s important that learners get the most out of remote learning.
Although digital schooling has since improved the quality of e-learning courses, it’s still up to the individual to succeed in their learning journey.
To help you out, we share some strategies on how to maximize e-learning with technology.
Create A Dedicated Your Study Space
To set yourself up for success, it’s essential that you prepare your environment and create a dedicated study space.
Compared to face-to-face courses, online learning provides more flexibility in changing your study area, so adjust your location and setup according to your needs.
It’s best to make the environment as comfortable as possible to retain productivity.
Aside from physically changing your environment, you must also organize your digital workspace.
Technology enables us to access information that either supports or distracts us from learning. One of the most common culprits of distraction and unproductivity is social media.
As found in a study on social media, as much as 52% of university students find that social media use affects their learning, while 66% of them felt more drawn to social media than academic activities.
Not only does this keep you from learning properly, but it can also affect your ability to memorize.
To stay as productive as possible, many applications are available to limit your smartphone usage.
Starting from iOS 15, there is a Focus mode feature built-in into Apple devices that allows you to silence notifications from specific apps or people.
For those who still struggle to stay focused, you can make it difficult or completely block access to applications using a website or application blocker.
Stay Motivated In Learning
E-learning is accessible and convenient for many. However, it can sometimes be challenging to stay motivated to learn.
Many e-learning students often have to study alone, which is not only socially isolating but can also make it difficult to stay accountable and engaged with learning.
To keep you motivated when learning, here are some ways tech can help you:
Use Self-monitoring Tools
Having goals is an integral part of learning. With set expectations, it can be easier to dedicate a feasible level of commitment towards learning— helping you stay consistent towards your goals.
As part of checking your progress, you can rely on self-monitoring tools. Some online learning platforms are equipped with performance reports— allowing you to evaluate your performance from a third-party perspective and give insight into your strengths and weaknesses.
Join Social Network Groups
While lecturers are responsible for engaging the classroom, learners should actively participate in social activities that encourage collaborative learning.
Research shows that collaborative learning improves interest and perceived enjoyment, motivating students into more constructive learning experiences.
Social networking sites have become a significant driver for learning, allowing students to engage together, receive feedback, and interact with instructors.
Similarly, professionals can join social networking groups, which can give a better understanding of their careers and related interests.
If you’re looking for a community, you can always start with social media groups.
Do Further Research
Research is a core component of the learning process, especially for higher education.
Compared to days before the internet and databases, you don’t have to go through hard copies in the library to do referencing and citations.
You can now rely on cloud technologies to simplify your search. Through search engine tools, you can input and answer any inquiries on specific topics you’ve learned.
This information is not limited geographically, allowing learners to get efficient, quality results and solutions.
Research can also provide more concrete evidence and examples to learn from.
Notably, there are supporting applications that can translate physical objects into digitized records, helping support further research.
Several museums, like the Berlin Museum of Natural History, have since used technology to produce high-definition 3-D images of thousands of specimens, allowing those interested in using their resources from anywhere in the world.
Improve Self-learning Opportunities
E-learning provides learners access to different educational resources through online platforms.
Given the flexibility of digital content, teachers and instructors can offer information sources that rely not only on live classes but also resources for students and professionals to use on their own time.
One well-known example used in recent years is the use of recorded video lessons.
These presentations enable learners to follow lessons at their own pace, giving them time to understand complex topics better.
If you need help to keep up with live lessons, consider consulting with your instructor if they’re open to giving supplementary material for self-learning.
Through the versatility of technology, learners of all backgrounds can maximize their e-learning experiences.
Aside from adopting good e-learning habits, it’s important that you invest in the proper equipment for efficient learning.
For more detailed laptop or desktop recommendations, visit our reviews for more in-depth information on computer brands and models.
