Online Learning Advice

1. Online Learning Insights From current students

2. What have you enjoyed the most about online learning? The flexibility in my schedule. It has allowed me to have much more diverse experiences during my studies because my schedule is essentially "open" during the days. I have been able to take on cool part-time work, volunteer opportunities and attend conferences during the day that may have previously been obstructed by in-class lectures. Nora 5th year, Faculty of Human and Social Development

3. What strategies have worked for you to be successful with online learning? A big calendar! I marked down all of the due dates for each of my courses and colour-coded them so that each course was clearly differentiated. I made sure to write down the deadlines not only for big assignments or tests but also weekly things like discussion forums. Nora 5th year, Faculty of Human and Social Development

4. How have you connected with your classmates while learning online? My classmates and I would create Google Docs for each course, where we could ask each other questions and compile resources. It was nice to be able to lean on each other for help. If you are doing this though, it is best practice to run it by your professor first. Nora 5th year, Faculty of Human and Social Development

5. Do you have any tips for navigating CourseSpaces effectively? One of my favourite strategies is to have an open tab for each course. This makes it easy to jump back and forth between discussion forums, etc. Also, make sure that you read the requirements for document types in your assignment submissions and create your assignments in file types that are compatible with CourseSpaces. Nora 5th year, Faculty of Human and Social Development

6. What have you enjoyed the most about online learning? There's this weird but very cool aspect to it. I'll call it the "un-distracted principle" where, if you only have work-related windows open on your device, your focus and train-of-thought tends to be more clear than in a classroom full of uncontrollable variables. - René, Graduate student, Education Overall, I enjoy having a more flexibility, spontaneity, and control over how I chose to dedicate my time. There is nothing quite like being able to alternate online lectures with painting, baking cookies, or playing an instrument as a reward for my work! - Peri, 4th year, Science I have enjoyed having the ability to connect with other students outside of Victoria. - Dale, Graduate student, Education

7. What have you enjoyed the most about online learning? It allowed me to move at my own pace for certain courses, letting me spend more time with topics I am confused about and speed through topics I feel comfortable with. Eduardo 2nd year, Faculty of Engineering

8. What has been your biggest challenge with learning online? • Motivation. Getting started with studying while at home can be hard sometimes, but my biggest advice would be two things: • Get dressed! Staying in sweatpants all day long will not make you super productive. • Just start! The hardest part is actually opening up your computer and watching a lecture, but once you start it you can get through it very easily. Eduardo 2nd year, Faculty of Engineering

9. How have you connected with your classmates while learning online? FaceTime calls when working on assignments, or even just calling for an hour or so to work together (even if most of the time there’s silence), it pushed you to work if someone else is doing so as well. Eduardo 2nd year, Faculty of Engineering

10. Do you have any tips for navigating CourseSpaces effectively? Use a computer instead of a mobile device! A lot of the formatting gets really weird when using phones/tablets, so a computer is your best bet. Eduardo 2nd year, Faculty of Engineering

11. What strategies have worked for you to be successful with online learning? I set aside specific times during which I do the work. It feels like I have a ‘class’ of sorts where all I do is focus on the materials. I also leave my phone in a different room so I wasn’t completely distracted. - Rachel, 4th year, Education I designated different seats in my apartment for the different tasks that I am working on. This helps me to get in the right mindset and be in work mode for a specific task. Changing something small like my seating helps me to not feel stuck and mundane in my routine. - Suriani, Graduate student, Education I have found that breaking up larger tasks into smaller pieces has really helped. Also, finding a friend...an accountability buddy if you will, so that you can keep each other focused and on track. - Joanna, Graduate student, Education

12. Do you have any tips for navigating CourseSpaces effectively? Remember to study somewhere with a good internet connection if you can. Isabel Recent graduate, Humanities

13. How have you connected with your classmates while learning online? CourseSpaces allows you to message your fellow classmates, but I also like using Zoom, FaceTime, or Google Hangouts to have video chats with classmates. It makes studying easier. If you don’t know anyone in the class, write on the CourseSpaces forum that you’re looking for a study buddy! Isabel Recent graduate, Humanities

14. What has been your biggest challenge with learning online? For me, learning online can be difficult because of outside distractions, especially when I’m at home. My best advice is to set yourself up in a dedicated place (not your bed!), remove as many distractions as possible and treat it like you would an in-person class. Get out of your pajamas, dedicate blocks of time to studying, and make sure you know about deadlines and other important dates. Isabel Recent graduate, Humanities

15. What is the biggest difference between face-to-face and online learning? With face-to-face learning, you are accountable to more people, while with online learning, it’s only you out there. Make sure you still do things you would do in a regular classroom, like asking questions, talking to your professor and taking notes! Isabel Recent graduate, Humanities