MANAGE ONLINE LEARNING WITH YOUR LEARNING STYLE
Do you like the idea of being able to take a class online? Maybe that would be a good fit for your work or family schedule. Maybe it would be easier than looking for a parking space on your campus. But would you still learn, even if you didn’t go to a class meeting?Many colleges and universities use an online learning management system (LMS) for online learning. An LMS is a website that helps you connect with the material you’re studying—as well as with your instructors and classmates. There is something for every learning style in the LMS environment.
THE PROBLEM
You have some idea about how you learn best, but you don’t really understand what an LMS is or how to use one.
THE FIX
Understand your learning style and what kind of learning environment will work best for you.
HOW TO DO IT
Explore your school’s LMS.
Be open-minded and patient with yourself. Find out if there is an orientation seminar or video you can watch; you can ask your instructors or visit the student learning center. Take online surveys to understand your learning style. Here are two sites to try: edutopia.org/
An LMS offers lots of ways to connect with your instructors, classmates, and material. It lets you keep track of your grades and assignments and offers a digital drop box where you can submit your work. It can also offer a lot of fun things, such as online discussion forums and interactive group projects where you can sketch ideas on whiteboards that other students can view, or even collaborate on written assignments in real time. Some platforms have videos, recorded lectures, or even your instructor’s lecture notes.
IS IT FOR YOU?
Now that you know what kind of learner you are and something about your college’s LMS:
You need to know yourself because learning is up to you.