As online education takes place differently, both students’ and teachers’ roles in the learning process change. Educators become facilitators and learners’ have a more increased responsibility in their learning as they need to be actively engaged daily and work alone without the teacher’s supervision. So, I am sure a lot of you are wondering how you could ease your students’ passage from traditional classroom learning to online instruction.

While distance learning allows students to work at their own pace, staying focused, organized, and motivated are some of the most important challenges they might be facing right now. Therefore, the best way you can support them as a teacher or parent is putting in place a routine that encourages them to develop good study habits.

 

1. Having a study plan or a study calendar

A study plan or calendar indicating what needs to be completed each day helps learners to prioritize assignments to stay on schedule and meet deadlines.

2. Scheduling learning time, having a dedicated study space, and avoiding distractions

It is important for students to have a fixed learning schedule and a quiet place where they can study alone. Establishing a routine helps students avoid procrastination and stay more focused while learning. To maintain self-discipline more easily, learners also need to eliminate all kinds of distractions such as a younger sibling, video games, or smartphones.

3. Prioritizing, setting time limits, and taking study breaks

Setting realistic time limits for each activity, prioritizing tasks, and taking study breaks regularly will increase learners’ engagement and motivation. Starting with the most difficult subjects or tasks first, reading information out loud, taking a short break between activities are effective strategies that support learners in maintaining concentration and successfully accomplishing study goals.

4. Communicating and asking for help

Communication is an essential element of online learning. Since interaction between teachers and their learners is less continuous in an online setting, students should be encouraged to communicate with educators through various means: email, forum, or web conferencing. Regular participation in online discussions and web meetings may increase students’ understanding of the subject matter as they have an opportunity to share their thoughts, ask questions, and react to their peers’ ideas.

5. Positive reinforcement

Students may have a hard time maintaining their motivation and concentration when it is so easy to get distracted at home. Positive reinforcement to reward learners for successfully accomplishing tasks could be an incentive to increase learners’ productivity.

Good study habits are not only contributing to academic success, but learners also become more tech-savvy and develop autonomy, self-discipline, and effective time management and organizational skills.

If you have more tips for supporting students in becoming successful online learners, please share them in the comments section.

Stay safe!

Kynga C.