e-Learning is doubling yearly. Classes, e-courses, e-books on how-to and what-to appear by the thousands online weekly. In-person seminars and workshops are limited to location and access. e-Learning allows easy access, creation, and international distribution to a whole new world of experiences -- negative and positive.
Avid learners now feel like there is a smorgasbord laid out before them. It's like having teachers and trainers crowded into your den. Yet, no sooner do you buy one e-learning material, start reading, and another enticement grabs your attention that is suppose to be even better, even grander. The flow of new material never seems to end -- a high percentage poorly written.
Online learning is now starting its climb up the product maturity bell curve. This means that buyer's dollars are voting, demanding, more well thought-out and written material. As an avid on-line reader, I let out a deep sigh of relief and look forward for this next wave to occur across the board.
Studying on a computer screen requires different uses of the mind and eyes. Normally we read in a scanning method when browsing the Net. Now, with studying, reading will require more deliberate and careful. This increases material understanding, comprehension, critical evaluation and practical application.
Adults who have been away from educational studying for awhile, will need to review again the scope of skills needed to study again. Ones they learned back in school. For some just thinking about studying again makes them crawl under the bed covers. Those with less break time since their studying days, the skills will return much quicker. If good study skills were not previously learned, there will be some struggle or frustration that might be experiences while learning the correct methods and creating new habits. For them it will be like creating a cake from scratch instead from a package mix.
Note taking
Save your printer ink. Don't print out the material, rely on your notes and your memory. Taking ink-created notes is just as important with e-Learning as in any other type of learning environment. Yes, I did recommend using good old ink and paper. Note taking isn't just set aside because the learning material is online. Taking handwritten notes is a key element in moving new short-term information into long-term accessibility.
If you would like to have a checkpoint or a measuring stick on what you are retaining, take note taking to the next level. You will want to preview the material, as mentioned next, then begin reading and taking notes. After this, take a break, return, and then type up your notes. While you are typing add information that you remember from the material or what you have learned from other sources. Add whatever is swirling in your mind. This is best way to measure what you have retained and what is still missing. If there is something in your notes that doesn't make sense, then you will know what you need to reread and start the process again within that smaller scope. You can even ask further in-depth questions (see below).
Preview
Review and scan all the material. If the material is large, scan the entire area, then return to one smaller section at a time and chunk it. Read titles, subheadings, and spend a few extra minutes on any diagrams or memory aids. Look for patterns in the material. If the material is well-written you will always discover one or more patterns. Patterns help mind-visual-understanding associations. Is there a quick summary at the end of each chapter? If yes, read this during your preview. Previewing is important whether the new material feels comfortable or is stretching you.
When previewing follow ideas and major concepts more closely rather than words. Let titles and heading provide clues and guidance. If the author is playing cutesy with the headings - the title doesn't match the contents--rewrite the headings so that they fit something that can help your memory.
By reading the introductory and concluding paragraphs first, you will also be able to calculate what you're reading pace will need to be, how much time you will need to set aside, and the amount of effort.
Environment
Take special care of your eyes when reading from the computer screen. Take frequent eye breaks by refocusing them on some object far away. If your eyes are bothering you, there are special computer reading eye drops available. If you wear bifocals, ask your eye doctor or the lens manufacturer to raise the starting line to accommodate computer use. This will also stop neck strain caused by the slight movement of up and down to align the bifocal line so that you can read the screen. Bless the doctor who told me about this. This adjustment removed the neck pain since.
Don't slouch. Frequently it is easy to lower shoulders and neck. This occurs most often when the monitor is not at the ideal position -- eye level. This also adds tension to the neck and shoulders resulting in muscle cramping. If you tilt the screen up, at a higher angle, where the screen's center points toward your nose, you will reduce tension and cramping.
Pace
We tend to assume that our reading pace remains the same for Net browsing and for e-Learning. Not true. e-Learning requires the same flexibility as if you are reading a book. The pace depends on reading skills, type of material, and the quality of its presentation. Allow your pace to change depending on the information. Let go of comparing how long it takes when you read it in printed form vs. online form. Allow flexibility in study time until you learn to gage the material with your own level.
Questions
Allow your inquisitiveness to be open while studying. Record questions that appear within your thoughts. A great way to expand or answer the question is to write the question on the top of a blank page. Set a timer for 7 to 10 minutes and write fast anything that shows up. At the end of the writing, write a summary sentence or two of what you wrote.
Did your free write answer the question? If not, you may want to continue through a few more timed exercises. Or let it go for the moment, return to your studying, and add it to your research list. Free writing is always a great way to access deeper meaning being stored in your subconscious.
The most important key to any type of learning is to find your own rhythm and stride and have fun with the whole process. Retention is best absorbed while relaxed, open and curious.
Catherine Franz is a Marketing & Writing Coach, niches, product development, Internet marketing, nonfiction writing and training. Additional Articles: http://www.abundancecenter.com blog: http://abundance.blogs.com
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
What do we want most from life? Certainly, we all... Read More
One of the main reasons that may hinder us from... Read More
Before we can unlock human potential, we need to know... Read More
Fear, or negative anxiety, is the modern day bubonic plague,... Read More
Make a game out of reaching your goals Go to... Read More
Do you know how much time do you spend listening?... Read More
Several years ago, I attended a "success" seminar in northern... Read More
Are there any universal laws that most successful people seem... Read More
Commit yourself to spending time only with people who are... Read More
Can anyone become a successful businessperson? I am asked this... Read More
We were at some friend's house the other day and... Read More
Why do some people end up with boring jobs living... Read More
It has been truly said, and history confirms, that the... Read More
The power went out. Again!I looked out my second story... Read More
How do you land your dream job, win... Read More
People often ask me how I became successful in that... Read More
Success is creating what you want the way you want... Read More
When you analyze the traits of successful people, you will... Read More
A couple days ago I was listening to a CD... Read More
People who are on the same journey tend to band... Read More
How many times have you thought about being successful, famous,... Read More
Two Immigrants Live The American DreamSome may call it a... Read More
Your mind is the only tool that can create success... Read More
Coaching is about living great lives. It's about living lives... Read More
Work addiction is an unrestrained, unfulfillable internal demand for constant... Read More
I remember, about 35 years ago, reading two books by... Read More
Opportunity is all around us and has many facets, but... Read More
Imagine that right now, right here, today? there is within... Read More
Daddy was a very, very odd little man-possibly a schizophrenic-for... Read More
Your ability to deal constructively and effectively with mistakes and... Read More
One the most important Self Improvement skills to develop to... Read More
What with the millions of words printed every day about... Read More
Hey Future Millionaire,There's so much value in reading about the... Read More
Does the thought of failure send a cold shiver down... Read More
Have you ever made plans in your career but never... Read More
We live in the information age, dominated by the development... Read More
Find a higher reason to reach your goal than just... Read More
Thoughts move faster than the speed of light.Expectations jump faster... Read More
If you help yourself, God and humans will help you... Read More
Daddy was a very, very odd little man-possibly a schizophrenic-for... Read More
Greatness is all around us. From Oprah to Bill Gates... Read More
Let's get right to the point, folks.We're all looking to... Read More
One of my absolute favorite quotes is from Dwight D.... Read More
Unfortunately we come into contact with negativity everyday. We can't... Read More
Do You Know You Have the Power to Harness Huge,... Read More
However there is one success secret that costs nothing. And... Read More
Success is the most desired ambition of the human beings.... Read More
Did you know you can literally program your mind so... Read More
The starting point of all great success and achievement is... Read More
Energy and persistence conquer all things. - Benjamin FranklinThough Ben... Read More
I'll let you in on a little secret...life delivers pretty... Read More
Jim Rohn, noted leader and speaker in the personal development... Read More
What would happen if you lived your life by design... Read More
Routinely, I rise out of bed before the birds, and... Read More
Have you ever felt as if you are beating your... Read More
Sit up straight! You may recall hearing those words as... Read More
Lets face it, no one enjoys rejection. But the reality... Read More
Language constitutes our belief system. What we believe is true... Read More
Magic doesn't have to be complicated. Here are some very... Read More
About a month ago, I was hit by a car... Read More
Any person who goes through life without experiencing failure is... Read More
Nicholas Darvas, escaping his war-torn homeland, Hungary, sought refuge in... Read More
We own a home on the island of Puerto Rico... Read More
Freedom is the deeper meaning, the foundation behind all of... Read More
The scene from "Biloxi Blues" where Matthew Broderick's character kept... Read More
Step 1 ? Learn a powerful key to increase financial... Read More
Success |