A Student’s Guide to Getting Started on E-learning
A Student’s Guide to Getting Started on E-learning
The COVID-19 pandemic rages on, and classes are bound to start soon, but physical classes may not be ideal as of the moment because social distancing is part of the safety measures during this time. However, e-learning is a viable option for those who want to continue their education but within the safety of their own homes.
What Is E-learning?
The North Carolina Education Cabinet defines e-learning as “learning utilizing electronic technologies to access educational curriculum outside of a traditional classroom.” As we are living in a digital age and technological innovations keep getting better and more efficient, e-learning becomes less intimidating and more appealing.
Getting Started
What Do You Need from the Course?
Before you commit to a fully online program, you need to think carefully about the following:
Certificate programs focus on specialized knowledge and take a few months to a few years to complete.
- Learning methods
Have a set schedule or guide
- Admission standards
Learning institutions with lax admission requirements
- Time of completion
Your chosen course or field of study partly determines the time frame of your coursework.
- Budget
A lot of online courses are free, but some courses, especially master classes or those offered by high-quality institutions, may cost more.
Delivery Type
People have varying preferences and comfort levels in terms of learning styles. Find out which learning style works best for you:
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Fully online or hybrid — with a fully online program, teachers present their lectures through a streaming or video conference platform and upload the course materials on the internet. You can email your homework or use apps or other platforms to submit your requirements. You can take quizzes online, although instructors may require you to take some exams in person.
Make sure to check your course syllabus or ask your instructor in case your desired fully online course still requires in-person exams or meetings.
Meanwhile, a hybrid program uses both traditional and online teaching methods. The number and frequency of online sessions and in-person sessions depend on the subject matter and how much of the course content relies on hands-on learning. These blended classes are an excellent option for those who want to try e-learning but are not yet fully confident about doing away with the traditional classroom-education methods.
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Synchronous or asynchronous — synchronous classes require you to log on to a video-streaming platform at a specific time to join real-time lectures. The classes may be held on campus with some e-learning students joining the classes online, or you may be in a group video call with other students and your instructor.
If you have asynchronous classes, you can access the lecture and other learning materials anytime. The materials may be accessible all at once, or they may be available in increments. You can work on your own, or the teacher can set the pace of learning.
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Self-paced or directed — you take full responsibility for completing the program if the education is self-paced. You set your own deadlines and start/end dates. Instructors, peers, or a grading software can grade your class performance or your work.
Self-paced learning is perfect for those who are highly motivated and have the discipline to stay focused while learning independently.
If you thrive in a learning environment where an external force (e.g., an instructor or a school) guides or sets the pace of learning, then directed education is for you. You can choose when you can start or complete a course, or you can follow the school’s timeline, in the case of term-based courses. Although directed courses have their set deadlines, there are some instances when schools allow you and your instructor to make arrangements on when to submit assignments.
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Teacher led or mainly digital — in a teacher-led course, instructors are more involved in the learning process. They provide the materials, deliver the lecture, and address students’ questions and other concerns through email or video calls. Occasionally, they may need to meet their students in person.
In a digital course, instructors use web-based media (e.g., lectures, presentations, videos) to teach lessons, and students may work on hands-on activities or problem-solving activities after viewing or listening to the learning materials. Instructors may be the ones grading the homework, although a grading software or professional graders may also do that task.
E-learning Providers
Your choice of e-learning providers depends on the answers to this page’s section on what to consider if you want to try e-learning. Each provider has its own pros and cons, which are listed below:
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Types of Providers |
Pros |
Cons |
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Nonprofit Universities |
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For-profit Universities |
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Community Colleges |
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Vocational Schools |
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What You Need for E-learning
You can expect needing or using the following on your online courses:
- Apps — these may be used to communicate with the instructors and fellow students, to create an interactive learning environment where students can test their knowledge after reading their course material, or to house learning management systems that can provide the two aforementioned functions.
- Multimedia — students receive instruction or acquire knowledge through web-based media. For example, they can watch videos of instructors or experts presenting a walk-through of certain topics or concepts.
- Devices — students can use laptops, tablets, and phones anywhere in the world to access the course materials. Those who need to go out for work or leave their homes often may not need desktop computers to do their coursework. You may also need to learn how to troubleshoot basic software and hardware issues.
- Internet — as long as there is stable internet access, e-learning is possible and convenient.
The Benefits of E-learning
Cost-effectiveness — you don’t have to worry about fare, transportation, and gas and parking fees (if you’re driving your own vehicle). You also don’t have to spend extra cash on food or eating out.
Accessibility — you can take the course anywhere as long as you have internet access.
Convenience — you can structure your courses around your lifestyle. You don’t have to change your work schedule. If you have kids, you need not worry about getting child care. Those who have social anxiety or are uncomfortable with face-to-face interactions can participate in classes but enjoy the privacy of their own homes.
Persons with disabilities or those who live far away don’t have to go through the hassles of commuting to and from school. Those who have learning or developmental disabilities can work at a pace that suits their needs.
Tips for E-learners
Since you’re learning at home and on your own, you should be prepared to deal with the responsibility and consequences of choosing the learning method you prefer. It pays to have effective strategies to manage juggling school and work:
Do your research — know as much as you can about e-learning and the online courses you want to take before you actually decide on enrolling for a full program. Ask teachers or those who have tried e-learning, or check out online forums for advice, recommendations, support, and additional information. You may also try taking one online course just so you can see if e-learning matches your learning style and needs.
Set realistic expectations and goals — even if you can schedule your classes or set your own pace of learning, you still need to establish and follow your schedule and deadlines if you want to complete the program by the target date. You don’t want a mediocre performance, but you also don’t want to stress yourself out.
Improve your self - discipline and focus—being comfortable at home may, at times, make you too complacent because there is no one watching you as you learn. Distractions may be occasionally healthy, but you won’t be able to get anything done if you don’t strengthen your resolve to study. You need to concentrate so you can finish tasks and assignments on time and you won’t be forced to cram.
Be a proactive learner — check for announcements and updates, and be more involved in class discussions. You can also check out references not mentioned in your course syllabus so you have a diverse source of information.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle — taking online courses, especially those that are part of full programs, may just be as demanding as traditional classes are. Eat a balanced diet, exercise, and get enough rest and sleep. Remember to take care of your mental health too.
Take breaks every now and then to avoid overwhelming yourself with information and to recharge your creative batteries, or you can try meditation.
References
Affordable Colleges Online. (2020, August 6). Guide to E-Learning | Benefits & Methods of E-Learning. AffordableCollegesOnline.Org. https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/e-learning-guide/
DiFranza, A. (2019, April 24). Degree vs. Certificate Programs: What’s the Difference? Northeastern University. https://www.northeastern.edu/bachelors-completion/news/degree-vs-certificate/
eLearning North Carolina. (n.d.). What is eLearning? | eLearningNC.gov. http://www.elearningnc.gov/about_elearning/what_is_elearning/
FutureLearn. (n.d.). How to Learn Online - Free Online Course. https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/online-learning
Ivec, S. (2015, July 2). eLearning 101: Getting Started with Online Training. ELearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/elearning-101-getting-started-online-training
Salt Lake Community College. (n.d.). Getting Started Online Guide. Retrieved 2020SaltLakeCommunityCollege-08-03, from https://slcc.instructure.com/courses/297606
University of Florida. (n.d.). Getting Started with e-Learning - eLearning - University of Florida. https://elearning.ufl.edu/instructor-help/getting-started-with-e-learning/