The online study experience can be quite different to a lecture theatre or college campus, both offering some advantages and some disadvantages over a physical learning environment. We take note of students’ common experiences and address these to make online learning appealing and effective.
“The course is more work than I expected.”
If there’s one consistent piece of feedback from students it’s that an online course is often more work than they had initially anticipated. It can be easy to feel daunted by the weeks of study ahead, which is why it’s important to break subjects into clear course outlines and smaller sections. Regular Discussions initiated by students and trainers will also help students to realise where they should have progressed to at any one time, so they can put extra catch-up hours in if they need to.
“Good time management is a must.”
Online content is all too easy to push to ‘come back to later’, and the further a student falls behind the harder it can be to catch up. The Calendar feature is an important feature that lets students plan their week of studying out ahead of time, and it’s incredibly easy to use. Students can block out their own personal study hours around any scheduled classes, creating their own routine that works around their work and life commitments.
“Sometimes I miss the social factor of a real class.”
One of the potential areas where online learning can potentially fall flat is the social aspect. Interaction with trainers and other students can help to clear up questions, reiterate concepts and provide a valuable support network. The beauty of the threaded forum Discussion section is that it allows students to have conversations going with other students, even if they work a day shift and happen to be studying at midnight. Weekly prompting questions by trainers can create a great focal point for these discussions.
“I want somewhere to practice what I learn.”
The online learning experience typically doesn’t give the student access to a workplace environment, so they have nowhere to put their newfound skills and theory into practice. That’s where our case studies come in. These real-world situations provide an immersive experience in which the student will need to apply their knowledge to a specific and realistic situation, and ensure the student completes their course with the confidence and techniques they need to start work in their chosen industry.
Finally, it’s important to note that not every student learns, interacts or stays motivated the same way as any other. What’s important is having the learning and support structures set in place so they can be accessed if needed. Contact the team to experience Learning Vault content for yourself, and see how it could help to transform your students’ experiences.
