Study Skills – Social learning

Ah. Distance learning, isn’t it perfect? You can study when it suits you, where it suits you, and you can save money. There’s just one problem. You can feel lonely. Do you ever feel lonely? It’s ok: this isn’t a dating video. We’re here to talk about education. You see, learning well isn’t just about you and a lesson, it’s about you, a lesson and your student community! In fact, many experts believe we learn most effectively when we interact with other learners. Learning together in groups or pairs can even improve your scores. Let’s say you’ve learned some new information. Discussing and sharing this info means you process it again and again, helping you form long-term memories. And by questioning all the angles, you get a broader understanding of your topic, and you don’t get stuck in your own head. It means you have someone else with whom you can complain, debate, celebrate, compete and commiserate. And if you’re motivated and engaged, you’re more likely to complete the course. So, you need some study buddies. But you’re doing distance learning. What can you do? Here are some suggestions. You can join an online forum on the topic. Maybe your course has a forum already. Use it. Or start a new one. And maybe you’re on a course with its own page or group on social media. If not, then, why not start one? And you don’t just have to write messages to your fellow students. Try using software or apps to talk to them, or even do video calls. And remember, if you want to make the most of these groups, it’s best to have some structure and guidelines or rules for taking part. All of these are informal ways of staying in touch with other students, but your course might ask you to do formal tasks, such as collaborating on a project. In which case, your course will probably provide or suggest online tools. So try to use these tips to create your own online study community, so that you’re not left out in the cold.