When it comes to online learning, I have to say that being able to communicate with others in the class is a great source of information. Not only do I get the opportunity to communicate with other students while doing completing assignments with feedback by form of discussion replies; however, I am fortunate to be able to access shared knowledge that is passed along. What a wonderful support system online education provides over in class. Online learning allows me to use my strengths such as organization, time management, and ability to adjust my schedule around emergencies or other family obligations and still get my studying and assignments completed. I would like to improve in my notetaking so that I take more efficient notes from textbooks that keep the facts and topics covered to the point without all the unnecessary added points that aren’t important. I spend way too much time taking notes that I could be using elsewhere but trying to figure out what an instructor will be looking for in the beginning of a course is challenging. Now that I have taken this class and understand the oregonstate.edu website and many of the resources better, I am sure that I will find some notetaking help that will open doors for me along my journey at OSU and beyond.
Some of the specific tools, tips and strategies that I will use to help my learning style will be the Prezi for future presentations since it seems so visual as my usual learning style must be for me to comprehend and memorize better. I plan on using some of the subject specific tools, such as the tips for studying psychology to get me through the many different psychology courses I will be required to complete. I want to use flashcards, mapping and especially the calendar at a glance to keep on task for each class. SMART goal setting techniques learned in the course will enable me to stay focused and set specific goals along the way that are more manageable and realistic for me.
I plan on using OSU resources such as the Disabilities Access Services again next term so that I can complete my courses with confidence while I am healing from my surgery. I will use the library interloan services more, NetTutor for my statistics and success counseling if it feels as though things are becoming overwhelming due to my restriction with use of right hand. I would like to become involved more in some of the community resources that were discussed in class such as helping with community gardens and food programs for those less fortunate because it has always been so important to me to give back since I was once in the position that others reached out to help me. I would like to become more involved in community volunteering that would benefit cancer patients and Domestic Violence victims and families due to my own pasts experiences. Becoming a member of the Psi Chi Honor Society for my Psychology major is important so that I have access to more information and more contacts that will allow me to become more involved along the way at OSU.
My short-term goal for the upcoming term is to plan ahead before the term starts by putting family obligations and other appointments into my term at a glance calendar 2 weeks before the term starts. I will follow up by sending emails to my instructors to request copies of the syllabus’ 2 weeks before the term starts to enter into my term at a glance calendar and buy my books as soon as they are verified for the correct versions by the instructors. My long term goal will be to finish my Statistics courses by end of Summer 2017 while continuing to work and manage other family responsibilities. I used the SMART goal training we learned this term to make sure that my goals were specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely and plan on continuing to use it in the future. Using the SMART goal steps helped me to pinpoint exactly what I need to do to reach each goal without overreaching and being more successful with each goal in the long run.
One of the biggest take-aways from this course for me has been the ability to communicate on a more personal level, through discussion boards and blogs, and also the ability to share new information with one another. Unlike most of my other classes, where discussion boards are so scripted, that we are unable to share our own opinions, feelings and thoughts.
I like that you mentioned how online learning has strengthened your time management and organizational skills, because I totally agree and can relate. Having the ability to manage our time will continue to be a key to success. Organizational skills is something everyone can always improve, and something that is always going to come in handy! I love that we learned to better these skills by taking this course.
Thanks for sharing!
I agree with the online community of students being a really great perk of being an online student. Like they say, people tend to share more in an online setting than in the classroom. I’m an introvert that opens up to close friends and family, but I’m not one to discuss openly in the classroom. I love the setting on eCampus where we’re encouraged to interact in a comfortable setting and gain insight and knowledge through the posts.
The note taking struggle you describe is exactly what I was playing around with during this semester. I was doing the same thing where I would spend a lot of time taking notes that included a lot of facts that weren’t necessarily key, and then I would notice that it was causing me to rush through the actual assignments to get them done on time due to that. I actually started using Microsoft OneNote. I was pro writing all my notes because I love pens and paper and found that writing it out helped me remember, but I knew something needed to change. OneNote has actually been the answer to my problems. And… what I do is take a screen shot of formulas, tables, stills from video lectures, etc. and just insert it into my notes. It also allows me to copy and paste a lot of information that I would’ve be hand writing as well as edit the information into groupings that make sense to me for studying. To add to that, I’ve now been using Jing that Professor Hoel suggested to use for a presentation tool, and it made doing all of this that much easier.
You’ll definitely find what works best for you if you keep looking. And don’t be afraid to change your style of note taking. : )