Five Things I learned about Learning Online

Justine Pearl Uy of 11-Paul 

 

A lot of changes and adjustments have happened since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, as health and safety became the top priority not only of our government, but also of our countrymen. One of the most emphasized safety protocols was social distancing, and thus, the face to face classes were cancelled. As a response, our school decided to implement online learning. This decision was met  with uncertainties and doubts from the school community, regarding its effectiveness and execution. However, after a few months of experiencing the online learning, I realized that although the absence of physical interactions was a disadvantage, learning online has still opened many opportunities for students  to gain learning experiences. I realized that to maximize one’s learning in an online environment the following are important: (1) determination and discipline (2) the right mindset (3) a supportive community (4) the proper tools and materials, and a (5) conducive environment. These are the essential components for effective online learning to take place. 

 

Here are key  lessons I learned about learning online:

1. Learning Online requires determination and discipline.

One of the disadvantages of attending classes virtually was the possibility of being distracted. There are also times that I get distracted by some of the happenings in my own home. That being said, I learned that it is important to be determined and be willing to learn amidst manageable disruptions. Aside from being distracted, another challenge would be managing my time well, as there would be instances wherein my assignments would start to pile up. From these instances, I learned that it is important to stay determined and disciplined in planning out my to-do-lists and accomplishing tasks by not procrastinating. When I keep myself on track, it  helps reduce my stress in accomplishing tasks on time and allows me to balance my time between school and the other areas of my life. 

 

 

2. Learning online is something to be thankful for.

 

It may be easy to get carried away with some of the difficulties brought by online learning, however, I realized that at the end of the day, being able to continue my studies is truly something to be thankful for. A few weeks ago, I had a conversation with my house helper, and she mentioned that her younger sister wasn’t able to enroll this school year, as her school wasn’t prepared for an online set-up. She couldn’t also afford to buy a gadget for her studies. This made me realize that I shouldn’t take this opportunity for granted, and it is important that I make the most out of the resources and the interactions I have with my teachers and do my best in every learning opportunity. I also realized that it is truly only by God’s grace that our school community was able to adjust to this set-up, since the school was able to implement teachnology a few years now,  so students were more equipped with the learning devices that could be used for learning online. Realizing these matters has helped me to have a more positive mindset and it has motivated me to enter each class session with a grateful and eager heart. 

 

 

3. Connections and interactions enhance distance learning.

 

All of us are new to distance learning, and I learned that it is important that we help our fellow classmates and even teachers to adjust to this new set-up. It would be difficult for learning to be done alone, which is why developing relationships and having a supportive school community are essential. I have learned to reach out to other people who are in need of help, as well as reach out to my fellow classmates and teachers when I encounter difficulties and when I have questions and clarifications. It is important to keep in mind that we are going through this new experience together, and we must do our best to stay connected, helping and encouraging one another, throughout this challenging time. 

 

 

4. Distance learning is made possible with the use of proper tools and materials.

 

 

Learning online has made me appreciate the use of technology, different applications and software even more, as these make it possible for online learning  to take place. The different apps such as Google Classroom, Google Meet, Google Docs, and Google Slides have aided me in accomplishing different activities and interacting with my classmates. Through these applications, my group mates and I were able to create presentations together and present to our class, just like how we would in face to face  classes. While apps such as FlipGrid has also become an avenue for me to express my learnings points  and allowed me to showcase my creativity as well. 

 

 

5. It is important to make our homes a conducive environment for learning. 

 

Now that we  spend the whole day at home, I learned the importance of keeping my workspace organized and clean, so that I am not distracted during classes. I also noticed that I am more productive and efficient when I have a clean and organized surrounding, and this really helps enhance my online learning experience. Aside from my physical environment, I also learned to develop a stronger relationship with my family members, who are the ones with me at home.  When distance learning become stressful and difficult, it is important that we establish a strong bond and understanding with our family members as they are our support systems.

 

I learned that by God’s grace and with determination and discipline, proper resources, conducive environment and support system, learning online is definitely viable. My online  learning experience has allowed me to view learning from a different perspective and I have gained appreciation for the opportunities it presented me to become a  lifelong learner.