Learning Space

You will be attending classes and completing your coursework online in your home, at a library, coffee shop, office, or other place with Internet, away from a physical classroom. To ensure you can learn and study effectively effectively, you’ll need to set up a learning space that is conducive to learning.

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SETTING UP YOUR LEARNING SPACE

Location. Location. Location.
While it’s tempting to set up your learning space wherever you want (after all, you’re learning online), you’ll benefit from a space that is quiet, comfortable, and roomy enough for your computer and study materials (textbook, papers, notepad, etc). You’ll also want to make sure your space has outlets for your computing devices and high-speed Internet access that can handle the demands of your online courses. For example, a quiet spot in your home or at your local library may work better than a table at your local coffee shop.

Ensure adequate lighting
When you pick your learning space, be sure to choose one that has adequate overhead lighting or natural light. If there’s not enough light, you’ll have a hard time reading, which can cause eye strain and lead to fatigue.

Minimize distractions
Life is full of distractions and competing priorities. It may be difficult (or nearly impossible) to eliminate them all. However, you should deal with the distractions you can control so you can focus on coursework without interruptions. Turn off your phone, disable notifications, put away the game console, and let your friends, family, and roommates know that you’re going into study mode. The more you can prevent interruptions, the better you’ll focus on your studies.

Organize your space
Keep your learning space and course materials organized and free of clutter. Develop an organizational system that helps you find what you need when you need it. For example, hit up a local thrift store for a file cabinet or desk, organize your materials in folders, and store them in a drawer for easy access. Bottom line, figure out what works best for you and stick with it.

Set your schedule
One advantage of online learning is that you can set your own schedule. Whether you prefer to work in the morning or late at night, arrange your schedule to accommodate your preferences. Just be aware of what’s going on in and around your learning space so you can minimize distractions and competing priorities.