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- Content Overview
- Course Tour
- More Information
- News
- Note-Taking
- Additional Study Skills
- Learning Style
Content Overview
After watching the video, click on the Course Tour tab above the video to go to the next section of your Learn.
Course Tour
After watching the video, click on the More Information tab above the video to go to the next section of your Learn.
More Information
After watching the video, click on the News tab above the video to go to the next section of your Learn.
News
After watching the video, click on the Note-Taking tab above the video to go to the next section of your Learn.
Note-Taking
So now you know where to find your lessons and updates from your teacher. But how will you really learn online?
Some students think that when they read lessons or watch video, information travels directly into their brains. That’s not the case. In order for you to learn, two things must happen. First, you must take in new information. Once you take in new information, you must connect it with what you already know. But what does this mean for you in an online class?
If you just look at lessons or sit through videos, you will not take in much information. You must actively pay attention to what you are doing. Your teacher helps with this in school by calling on you or nudging you when you get distracted. But how can you do this for yourself in an online class?
One way is by taking notes as you work through your lessons. By taking notes, you are actively paying attention to the lessons and trying to make connections with what you already know. Attention plus connections is the first step in learning. Want proof? Numerous studies show that students who take notes do better on tests than students who do not. They do better even if they never look over their notes again. But guess what? Students who take and review their notes perform the best.
There are many different ways to take notes. For example, you can simply make a list of the important points in a lesson.
A slightly more complicated way to take notes is to use an outline. In an outline, you would place related information under a topic. This helps you group and connect information.
For people who like a more visual way to make notes, you can draw a concept map. Write down the most important information, and connect related information.
Another notetaking method is the Cornell method. In the Cornell method, you divide your paper into three sections. While you work though a lesson, take brief notes on content in the note-take column. After the lesson, use the cue column to write questions about the content. Then, summarize the content in the bottom section.
It doesn’t matter which note-taking strategy you use. You may like one more than others. Or you may use different strategies depending on what you are studying. The most important thing is that you find a way to be active as you work through your lessons.
Citation: “The Learning Strategies Center.” Learning Strategies Center, lsc.cornell.edu/notes.html
For additional information read Five Note-Taking Methods.
Click on the Additional Study Skills tab to go to the next section of your Learn.
Additional Study Skills
You’ve gone over note-taking. What other habits will help you succeed in your online course?
First, you need to work daily in your classes. Don’t just take a few days off. If you miss too much time, your recall of information will weaken. And, you will not have enough time to get all of your work done. Students who do not log in to their classes for 14 days will be put on an inactivity list. Their names will be sent to their schools. Your counselor and facilitator will know that you have not been working.
Second, make sure you read feedback from your teacher. Your teacher will often write comments on the work you submit. If you do not read this feedback, how can you improve? Check your graded assignments for feedback before you move on to new lessons and work.
Third, and most important, don’t multitask. You might think that you can work on your lessons while listening to music, texting a friend, and checking Snapchat. However, many studies indicate that multitasking makes it harder to learn. Try to limit distractions and interruptions when you work on your course. If you need a break, get up and move away from your work. Then return after a few minutes, when you feel more focused.
Make sure you also know and follow your school’s policies. This includes equipment and internet use. Many ACCESS students take their courses in a school computer lab, under the watch of a facilitator. If you do, follow your facilitator’s rules.
If you can follow these basic rules, you should be successful in your ACCESS class.
Click on the Learning Style tab to go to the next section of your Learn.
Learning Style
If you want to learn a little more about study skills, you can use the resources below.
Click on the Next button below to continue.