Whether you’ve always been an avid e-learner or you have been forced to join the digital wagon thanks to the recent epidemic, there’s no doubt that online learning is taking us all by storm. Regardless of the field, teachers, professors, lecturers, and all kinds of educational providers have turned to the internet to provide us with the knowledge we’re seeking. With such strong alternation in the education system, we, as students, have also been forced to adapt our studying routines accordingly.
Don’t get us wrong; we know as well as you do how online learning opens a much more practical and interactive world of learning. We’re merely here to ensure you’re making the most out of this digital alternative so that you can study your course material easily, quickly, practically, and, most of all, efficiently. Without further ado, here is some essential software you must use throughout your online learning journey.
1. Mind Mapping
Mind mapping is one of the best and widely used tools in a plethora of fields – and studying is just one of them. The greatest thing about mind maps is that they gather all of the information (usually scattered around in paragraphs and pages) and display it in a rational sequence. It helps your brain connect the dots between various points, enabling it to memorize and remember it faster. If you’re already a fan of mind-maps, you might be used to creating it manually. While that could work for you, mind mapping software will prove to be much quicker and practical; especially if you have pages of documents you need to study in a short period.
2. Note-Taking
If you think you can depend on your brain to remember everything, even if you’re a genius, then think again. Regardless of how good a memory you have, you’ll find that you’ll need to scribble down some notes sooner rather than later. It may be notes you take while following the lecturer or during your study session, so you’ll need a quick solution where you can take the notes without disrupting your focus.
The best way around this is to use note-taking apps, preferably those that add sticky notes to your screen, reminding you of the important things you don’t want to miss. On another side, some note-taking apps allow you to record the note as a voice-note; other apps transcribe the audio note into written content.
3. Collaboration
Do you like studying in groups where you get to share notes, documents, and discussions with your course partners? If you’re one of these extroverts who have been hit the hardest with the global pandemic, then this software is definitely for you. Collaboration software and programs allow you to share flashcards, notes, files, and documents with your online study partners. You’ll be able to chat with them and discuss the course you’re studying, and, above all, you’ll never feel overwhelmed and alone.
4. Online Courses
Perhaps the most important software in the online learning experience is the platforms you use for receiving the educational content. While a simple online learning experience can be limited to downloading a video of your lecturer explaining the lesson, that’s nowhere near as fulfilling or a wholesome experience.
A good online learning software will provide a plethora of features, plans, resources, and instructors. Reviewers on this website have gone through a great deal of trouble to pick apart and put together a ranked review of all the top online learning software. After going through the features of each platform and comparing pricing plans and features, you’ll be able to enjoy the best online learning experience you’ve been dreaming of.
5. Flashcards
Just like how mind maps organize information and make it easier for your brain to memorize, flashcards can also be used in a similar way. Flashcard creating software allows you to create a set of questions with the correct answers so that you can test yourself anywhere, any time. Or, you can create your personalized flashcards with a pen and some paper.
6. Documents
You’ll need to create study sheets throughout your courses, work on assignments, do research, write an essay, and work on a group project. You won’t be able to efficiently do any of these tasks if you’re using your note-taking app to create these documents. You’ll need to use a document-creating tool that gives you tools for formatting, coloring, drawing diagrams, and inserting tables, links, pictures, or even videos.
7. Grammar and Language Checkers
Do you truly have the energy or time to go through every word of your documents and double-check for simple grammar mistakes or language structure errors? We don’t, and you most definitely don’t, either. By using grammar and language checkers, you’ll find an easy fix to submit top-notch documents. Most of these checkers provide both a free and premium version; you can take your pick according to your needs.
8. Activity Controllers
Ah, the time-wasters and procrastination-aiders. While using your laptop, PC, or mobile phone is quite convenient for online learning, and this convenience also holds true for a plethora of distractions. If you are like most of us, then you’ll find yourself checking your FaceBook, Instagram, YouTube, and all the social media and communication apps continuously with every new notification – or even without any notifications. Maybe you decide to take a break to watch an episode of your favorite program but suddenly find yourself playing the 7th episode. If you’re struggling with these distractions constantly, then you definitely need to install an activity-controlling software to restrict your online activity during studying hours.
9. Antivirus Software
With all of its merits, spending most of your time online, downloading, and sharing files, can come with risks. Regardless of how careful you are with the sites you visit and the stuff you download, you might accidentally fall victim to hackers, malicious spyware, and viruses that damage your files and lay all your efforts to waste. You must install strong antivirus and firewall software to ensure safe, secure, and private internet sessions.
With the digital learning wagon taking the world by storm, we’ve all found ourselves on board, one way or another. To make the most out of this experience, every student needs to use a few essential types of software in their journey. From mind-mapping to document creation tools, there’s everything you need for the utmost efficiency.
