It may be helpful to turn video captions on, to read along and help with your note taking. (And if you're listening to an audio only recording, follow along with the transcript.) Both captions and a transcript will help provide details that may be missed with just watching or listening.
Live Video Lectures
For live video lectures delivered in video conferencing software like Zoom, avoid taking notes. Pay attention to what you are hearing and participate in the live discussion to help keep your focus. Raise your virtual hand or ask a question in the chat. Ask if the video lecture is being recorded so you can review and take detailed notes later.
Take advantage of video conference break-out groups, if offered. These live, small group discussions will give you a chance to hear other perspectives or review challenging material as a group.
Finding your peers
Recall in the Self-Care for Learning module we discussed the importance of making time for family and friends to keep us grounded and energized. Fostering social connection with your instructor and classmates is also important to your learning.
Your experiences may vary with synchronous or asynchronous instruction in your courses, but in any context, online learning can be incredibly vibrant when learners connect with one another. Ways to connect will depend on the structure and technology used in the course, but a few common methods for connection include:
- introducing yourself in the discussion boards, like we asked you to do for this course
- providing constructive comments on peer and group assignments
- participating in live lectures and discussions via video conferencing applications (e.g. Zoom, Webex, BlueJeans, Shindig, Google Hangouts)
There are also many opportunities to connect beyond the learning management system (LMS) used for your course. See if your instructor has created a private group on social media sites like Facebook or LinkedIn. Perhaps there is a Twitter hashtag for continued conversation outside of the course. You might also consider finding a study buddy or a study group to help build connections and community in your course. This will not only alleviate isolation, but also promote collaborative learning.
In the discussion forum below, share ideas for connecting to your learning peers and the tools, apps and technology you like to use for connecting online.
Communication
When learning online, particularly in an asynchronous course that does not include regular, live interaction with your instructor or peers, it is a good practice to over communicate. This may mean regular email checkins with your instructor, reading and responding to discussion forum posts, or text chatting with study buddies. No matter how you communicate, it is important to be kind and patient to yourself and others. Give and expect respect, especially during asynchronous communication like discussion boards and email since it can be easy to misconstrue someone's meaning. Like you, your peers are real people. Do your part to foster a respectful, supportive community.
