Remote Learning Strategies
Learning hybrid or online? Doing it well requires some additional strategizing. See below for tools and techniques.
Make remote classes work for you
Attending a class or lecture remotely doesn’t need to be a passive experience. Some suggestions:
- During a lecture, take notes to help yourself stay engaged, and note points that are confusing so that you can follow up on them later.
- If at all possible, turn your camera on during synchronous classes. This helps your instructor feel connected to the students, and provides a greater feeling of community.
- If there are opportunities to participate, take part. The more each student engages, the more lively the class will feel. If there is a chat function, post your questions or points of confusion. It’s highly likely that others have the same questions!
- If you are watching a recorded video, consider viewing it in chunks, pausing every 10-15 minutes to review notes and connect the content to other course materials.
Find your comfort zone in online discussions
Different students have different preferences and , and it’s no different in the remote environment. Try to stretch a little beyond your natural state. If you are somebody who tends to contribute very actively, continue to engage, but pull back a little to allow others to contribute. And if you normally tend to listen actively and speak less, . Starting in the chat can be an easy way to warm up, and then speak later when you feel more comfortable. Taking a few notes before you contribute can help you feel more confident when you do. Support your classmates, and know that while some people feel at ease in discussions, others may find it anxiety-producing. Offering a quick thumbs-up or “Interesting point!” can make a difference for a fellow student.
Be a good online citizen
Help out your fellow students! Some things to keep in mind:
- Give the class session your focus. It’s hard to stay present in a remote session when other electronics are distracting you. Closing other tabs, turning off notifications, and putting your phone face-down or in another room will help you keep your attention on the class or meeting.
- Use good online etiquette, like avoiding all caps and lots of exclamation marks, using emojis to show good intent, and never putting anybody down.
- Participate in class chats with on-point ideas, demonstrate respect for others' contributions, and offer encouragement for classmates.
- Be a little more explicit about your meaning or intent than you might usually be, since people may not be able to read your nonverbals as easily. For example, if you mean something in an ironic way, make that clear.
- Embrace silence. Silence can feel awkward, but it’s often more necessary in the online environment, because people may be reading and processing while they’re engaged. Allow those silences to happen, and know that they are productive.
- Show patience and support for your classmates (and your instructor!).