How To Learn | Adequate Learning

Convenient Ways to Earn a College Degree

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With today’s constantly improving technology, earning a college degree is becoming more convenient and adaptable for all types of students, from traditional students fresh out of high school to working adults wishing to advance or change careers. One of the most convenient ways to earn a college degree is by taking online courses or entire programs through the Internet. A variety of options are available online and online programs may change higher education as a whole.

Flexibility

Online degree programs enable students to complete their college education from anywhere with a connection to the Internet. Enrollment is usually straightforward and many institutions allow students to start courses right way. Flexibility is usually the biggest pro of online education because most programs enable students to log in at any time to complete coursework, whether it be at 8 in the morning or midnight. Students are also able to customize their schedules to complete programs at their own pace.

Accreditation

Online programs receive the same accreditation as traditional college programs and give students the same high quality education. The course content and lessons are often similar and students receive a solid well-rounded education in their chosen degree area. If students have any fears or concerns about online programs, the majority of schools have a lot of information on their online instruction including frequently asked questions, descriptions of each program, explanation of the online learning platform, and the ability to contact administrators for further information.

Finding the Right College

When students are deciding on the type of institution that offers online programs, they should consider those ranked among the best online colleges. This will give an effective starting point to finding the right program that will meet their particular needs and help them to successfully achieve both their educational and personal goals.

Filed Under: How to Learn, How to Study Tagged With: Distance education, E-learning, Education

Memory Tricks That Help You Study

Students often struggle with memorization. Committing lists of names, events, and dates presents a challenge to even the best students. What many students don’t know is that there are a few tricks to make the process easier. Here are a few tried and true techniques.

Mnemonics

The word “mnemonics” is derived from the Greek word relating to memory ‘mnemonikos.’ Mnemonics is a memory technique that associates data to be remembered with acronyms, short silly sentences, or poems. For instance if you were trying to remember the seven colors of the rainbow, you might arrange the first letters of the words: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet to read BIG ROY V. Because Big Roy V is unusual, your memory grabs on to it and holds it. If you visualize a rainbow around Big Roy V you’ve made an even bigger impact on your memory. Try it.

Journey Method

To use the journey method to remember the colors of the rainbow, you would first visualize a trip you take frequently. For instance, visualize the trip from home to school. Think about the landmarks along the way: the door, the driveway, the service station on the corner, the T- intersection, Starbucks on the right, the mall, and finally the school. Now assign colors to the landmarks and see those colors in your mind. The door is red; the driveway is orange; the service station is yellow, etc.

Roman Method

The Roman method is similar to the journey method but instead of a trip, you visualize a room you are familiar with, let’s say your living room. Visualize the main objects in the room, such as, sofa, chair, coffee table, television, bookcase, lamp, and the rug. Then assign the colors to the different items in the room.

Memorization can be tricky, but you’ll soon be a master using these simple tricks.

Filed Under: How to Learn, How to Study Tagged With: Memorization, Memory, Mnemonic

Know Your Learning Style

Did you know there are styles of learning? While you may not have heard them referred to as ‘styles,’ you know instinctively how you learn best. Most of us have a dominant learning style, ( a way you learn best) and supplement our learning with the other styles. What are these styles? The three basic learning styles are: visual learners, auditory learners, and kinesthetic learners.

Visual Learners

Visual learners have strong spatial skills. They see and remember sizes, shapes, and three-dimensional depths. They have a discerning eye for aesthetics and visual media. You might be a visual learner if you:

Love language that is ripe with imagery.
Keep journals and take notes.
Need to see what you are learning.

Auditory Learners

Auditory learners learn best by listening to oral explanations. Their brains are tuned to record and process information that they hear. They often have a wide vocabulary and are able to make oral presentations with ease. You might be an auditory learner if you:

Read aloud to cement an idea or concept to memory.
Hum or talk to yourself in idle moments

Kinesthetic Learners

Kinesthetic learners are hands-on learners. They learn best by doing. They are often agile and well coordinated. Their ability to learn is determined by how involved they can physically be in the process. Many performers and athletes are kinesthetic learners. You might be a kinesthetic learner if you:

Have difficulty sitting still and would rather be tinkering with something.
Use your hands, as well as, your words to explain something.
Are uncomfortable in learning environments that rely totally on lectures.

While most of us have a dominant learning style, we often flex to other styles in specific situations. Knowing your dominant style and in what situations you flex to other styles will help you choose educational opportunities geared to your strengths and styles.

Filed Under: Education, How to Learn Tagged With: Learning, Learning styles

Learning Styles

There are different learning styles, and different way that people prefer to learn. In fact, this is such an important aspect of education that teachers and other educators strive to accommodate the different styles in order to provide the best learning environment possible. There are three main styles that are recognized in the classroom, and with those three there can be a combination of these to create whole style for a student. The more styles that a student possesses the better their classroom experience tends to be. However, there is one that is difficult for most teachers to handle, and ironically, those learners tend to have the higher learning capabilities in a classroom.

The three styles are Audio, learning by listening. These students can remember much of what they heard, and rarely need notes. They can do well with presentations, verbal instructions, and group work. These types of students tend to succeed in Language Arts classes, Liberal Studies, and in writing. The second style is Visual. These students can do very well remembering what they read, they take written instruction like a breeze. These are the students that when everyone is working on a worksheet for an hour, they can have theirs done in 30 minutes. They are successful in Math and Science classes. The last style that is recognized in classrooms is Kinesthetic. This type of learner is the student in the class that is constantly moving, talking, chewing, bouncing, and making noise. Many of these students are assumed to have ADD/ADHD, but ironically enough do not, and they also tend to have higher IQ than many of the other students. This learner makes up approximately three percent of students in a classroom, and is grossly under represented for learning techniques. These students do well with hands on activities, and complicated projects. These styles can be combined to represent Audio-Visual, Visual-Kinesthetic, and Audio-Kinesthetic. All styles can be taught effectively, but it is up to the teacher to recognize the learning styles.

Filed Under: Collaboration, How to Learn Tagged With: Learning, Learning styles, Student

What Kind of a Learner are You?

When I was in school, just watching the instructor write on the chalkboard and speak to the class about the technical math term wasn’t enough for me to retain the information. I had to take notes. I had to go over the notes and practice what I’d been taught so that the instruction would sink in. I was, and still am, a visual-kinesthetic learner.

Knowing what sort of learner you are can help you as you learn throughout adulthood. It can help you in the future classes you want to take or the degree in which you are considering. It can help you to increase your level of confidence when looking for a new job and sitting across the desk from your interviewer, or learning a new match skill, or increasing your reading or speed level.

Here are the different types:

Visual learners, as stated above, have to write everything down—especially those things that are technical, or not as easily remembered.
Auditory learners gain the most by what they hear. They would rather discuss later within a group what they heard in the lecture versus writing anything down while listening to it.
Kinesthetic learners learn by practicing what they’ve been told. They can’t just be told how to do an experiment, or merely how to write down the experiment in order to remember it; they must do the experiment to remember the experiment.

Most learning in public school is taught through the auditory and visual method for most classes, and this is why many students (like me) struggled in school because there were times the learning wasn’t kinesthetic in nature. It was just expected to be remembered.

The good news is that you can change learning for yourself once you’ve discovered how you learn. And in this discovery, you may even decide to help someone else out.

Filed Under: How to Learn Tagged With: Learning, Visual learning

Discussing different learning plans and how it may help you.

Before we get started, for those of you who may not be familiar with the term, a learning plan is simply a document used to plan learning. The plan usually spans over an extended amount of time. It can be used for anything but most people use it to manage their own learning.

There are different learning plans for different things. An individual learning plan takes into regard the student’s strengths and weaknesses. Normal, everyday classes focus on the same curriculum. This plan speculates that different students have needs that should be distinctively addressed. Different people require different learning techniques. Not everyone has the same strengths and weaknesses.

There are also learning plans for different topics such as culture, financial, spiritual as well as many other alternatives. With Culture, you learn about your or another’s culture. Spiritual is when one expands their understanding of the spiritual importance of life. And financial is just learning how to manage your money.

A learning plan may be created for anything one needs it for. Those are examples of what someone can do with it. As you progress with your learning plan, goals are achieved. It becomes a learning record. The difference between a learning plan and a learning record is a learning plan looks to your future goals. A learning record is an archive of what you have already accomplished. It’s up to you whether it should be private or public. Whatever is written in it is up to you.

You have to be determined and motivated so your plan doesn’t falter. Keep it active with daily activities that interest you but also accommodate your plan. Start one up. Perhaps it might motivate you to do something you’ve never done or open your eyes to other sides of the world. It may just help you more than you think.

sources: Author unknown. “Individual Learning Plan” Wikipedia 3 Nov. 2010

Author unknown. “Learning Plan” Wikipedia 10 Oct. 2010

Filed Under: How to Learn, Teaching Methods Tagged With: Learning, Learning Plan

Learning options for you

Since the internet began in 1957, it has grown exponentially. When there was only a board to write on now there is a keyboard and screen. Websites have formed over the years, ranging from social networking websites and emails, shopping, etc. The list goes on. Perhaps one of the most impressive is schooling online or e-schooling as it is sometimes called. People can now go to school through the internet. There are many options available to those that are interested in it.

There is an enlarging number of online schools to choose from. For colleges, there is Devry University, Kaplan University, Penn Foster College to name a few. There are also ones of available for High School. Some even send you a computer and books which you would have to return at the end of the school year. Websites sometimes offer free resources depending on your learning style. Informative articles and many resources will gladly be provided. The intention is to help improve the learning of others.

E-learning is growing more and more popular. It is great especially for those who do not like to wake up early. Resource sites will give those who appeal to the thought of online schooling the information they need. Most online schools have their own category for resources. One of the most used resource sites is Google. You can find everything you may need on the infamous search engine.

However, as most things, e-learning is not for everyone. There are some drawbacks. For one, there is no socialization with peers sitting next to you. The socialization for an e-learner is a field trip. Some students cannot afford to go on these trips, confining them to socializing with peers through email.

We have come a long way from the 1950s internet to now. The keyboard and screen make communication quicker and offer a whole new world than just a board to write on.

sources: Author unknown. “When was the internet invented?” letusfindout.com date unknown.

Author unknown. “Online colleges and online universities.” guidetoonlineschools.com date unknown.

Filed Under: How to Learn, Teaching Methods Tagged With: Devry University, Distance education

Advantages of Offline Learning Options

While many of us enjoy the convenience of e-learning, studying offline may prove to be more comfortable. Some offline learning options such as classroom interaction can help engage students in course material. Learning in the classroom setting may also create more opportunities to excel since self-motivation isn’t a factor, as much as it is with online studies.

Although our minds may wander away from what we’re doing, learning in the classroom may help reduce our natural inclination to daydream. This may be especially true when we have a good teacher who wants us to harvest something from the lesson. There are quality classes offered on the Internet but as long as payment is received, some instructors might not care as much as some teachers do in person. Regardless of offline learning options given by teachers to their students usually prefer to see positive results that stem from their instruction. Some feel that without actually seeing the rewards of teaching efforts, we are merely spoon-feeding information.

Although motivation is a nice quality to have, some of us lack it all together and might respond favorably to our responsibilities as students when we see others prospering well. Consequently, a good grade from the instructor can become the reward that we are seeking. We may feel satisfied because we’re looking for higher academic achievement, which simultaneously pleases the teacher.

E-learners may feel rewarded by not having to travel back and forth to school, but students in the classroom might feel better receiving more individualized attention (depending on classroom size) and actual social interaction with peers. Offline learning methods typically have the deadline with homework and students may be apt to complete assignments. Some students within the virtual setting claim to wait until the last minute for assignment completion. In fact, some may not turn in the homework at all or withdraw from the coursework when it becomes “too hard.” Remember to carefully consider what works best for you.

Filed Under: Education, How to Learn, Online Education Tagged With: Learning, Online and offline

Effective Learning Options For You

Although people may yawn when it comes to the concept of acquiring new knowledge, it can be fun and there are bound to be suitable learning options available for you and all of us. Unless one is a high school student with mandatory classroom studies, consider participating in a unique educational program that you enjoy. One way to stay motivated is to use a venue that will likely maintain your interest.

E-learning programs typically offer individual or small group lessons via a webcam and through the use of a “whiteboard.” A whiteboard serves students in the same manner as classroom blackboard, but teachers and students both have an opportunity to write and interact on the whiteboard’s platform. Some online tutoring programs may strictly utilize a whiteboard, but many students find it useful to be able to see their teachers live. It’s highly recommended that students and teachers have quality sound cards and a microphone at the very least to obtain the most from learning sessions.

Other learning options for you may include one-on-one tutoring in person. Many people feel more comfortable learning subject matter in the presence of a tutor whom is a proven seasoned professional. Students might want to feel more assured about a tutor or teacher’s credentials or study within their homes. Many of us tend to think the screening process prior to hiring a tutor is more difficult and thus brings more quality that the table.

Traditional classroom learning can provide competition with other students, which can be a motivational factor for earning a higher grade point average. The element of competition is all that some people need to thrive in order to achieve educational success. Perhaps there are other students with little effort who are regularly at the top percent of their class. While other pupils may need to work much harder to “make the grade,” the excitement with some minor rivalry can help stimulate their thirst for knowledge and success.

Filed Under: How to Learn, Teaching Methods Tagged With: Student, Tutor

Encouraging People to Learn: A Guide

Encouraging people to learn is often considered one of a teacher’s most important tasks, in addition to instilling students with the knowledge necessary to progress in life within and outside of the classroom setting. When instructors are enthusiastic about the subjects they teach, they can inadvertently provide students with some of the motivation necessary to build a foundation for learning. It’s also considered helpful when teachers use a balance of firm classroom expectations and a reward system.

Some students may seem to project lack of interest in mathematics but in reality they might be uncertain of how to solve the problems. Maybe they are overwhelmed with the pace of the class or find the subject matter dull, even with a great teacher. Not every student will feel comfortable asking for help and it’s up to the teacher to inquire about their concerns.

Many times if teachers are encouraging seemingly “unmotivated” people to learn it can suddenly spark more interest when teachers express care about their success. For example, if a student repeatedly receives below average grades teachers can offer additional instruction outside of the classroom environment. Generally, this approach may only be helpful for students with challenges that are of an academic nature.

Other students may gain some motivation from their teachers when enjoy learning about topics they can relate to. “Catcher in The Rye” is a coming-of-age piece that is often a required selection within many English classes. The works of William Shakespeare are usually mandatory selections as well that some may dislike due to the complexity of its language. If teachers take time to explain the significance and relationship to the modern era, students may be persuaded to peruse through previously agonizing text. While students might realize the importance of a well-rounded education, they often want to know how it’s relevant in their lives or why they should learn the material. All it takes is a good teacher and a will.

Filed Under: How to Learn, Teaching Methods Tagged With: Education, Teacher