The capabilities of today’s technological devices have reached such a level that they can be extremely valuable aids in learning. It’s essential to know exactly how to study using technology, as the wrong approach can leave you wasting time instead of boosting your results. Therefore, here is a list of ways to achieve better studying results by means of tech to help you stay on track.
In this resource article, we speak to some of the leading educationists from a highly rated international school in Singapore. As leaders in using technological aids to improve learning and development in young children, we ask them about important aspects of gadget use at school. Please read the article till the end to understand how technology can prove to be an invaluable asset in furthering educational development in children.
Table of Contents
Use apps to organize your study day
The key to having productive study sessions is time-management. If you don’t make a schedule and organize your daily tasks, the chances are that you’ll end up procrastinating. Thus, jotting down your plan for each day is always a wise idea. While the old-school way of using a pen and paper is certainly effective, with the help of modern tech, you can take your planning to the next level. Your option is to download one of the numerous study planning apps, or simply use Google Calendar. The advantage of utilizing tech for this purpose is that it allows you to set up alerts for assignment due dates and keep track of the amount of time you spend studying, among other useful features. The reminders will help you keep your mind at ease, since you don’t need to stress about forgetting something. On the other hand, tracking your study time will give you an objective insight into how much effort you’re putting in.
Get in focus mode with the help of tech
Gadgets have a reputation of being a distraction when one needs to focus on a certain task. However, there is a way to use tech to your advantage and turn it into a focus-boosting tool. The options are abundant, so it’s up to you to find a method that caters to your specific needs. Using the ever-popular Pomodoro technique, which involves dividing your studying into chunks with small breaks in between, has never been simpler. There are websites and apps where you can easily set up the timer. Furthermore, you can take it up a notch and create a more pleasant atmosphere by playing ambiance videos and/or relaxing music in the background. If you find yourself feeling too isolated, study-with-me videos will make you feel like you have a true study buddy. To prevent yourself from getting distracted, you can turn on focus mode on your phone and use apps to restrict access to the websites that you don’t require for your study sessions.
Learn where to look for helpful resources
The days of having to spend hours in the library, scouring massive books to find specific information are behind us, as a huge variety of resources is available online. The only catch is that not all resources are created equal, meaning that not everything you find on the internet comes from a reliable source. That’s why you need to know where to look. The safest bet would be Google Scholar and digital libraries. You can also check out neatly-organized Macquarie resources, which include study notes written by the Macquarie uni students from various departments. Regardless of whether you’re studying law, psychology, or something else, you’re likely to find helpful material, all of which undergoes quality verification prior to being uploaded. YouTube is another viable option, as it features some educational, easily-digestible content. However, you need to make sure that the creator is competent and knowledgeable enough in the field, in order to avoid getting misinformed.
Create revision tests
Revision plays a major role when it comes to studying and this is another area where tech can be a valuable asset. It’s widely known that the active recall method produces significantly greater results than simply rereading chapters. Thus, using websites or apps to create quizzes and/or flashcards is a certainly fruitful way to prepare for exams. A major perk of this approach is that you’re likely to retain some information while in the process of making these tests. Furthermore, using such apps also adds the element of interactiveness, which according to a number of studies, has positive effects on the learning process.
Utilize tech for collaborative learning
Studying can be very isolating, especially in these times when we’re encouraged to stay home due to the pandemic. Luckily, tech allows us to stay connected with other people despite the physical distance. Keeping in touch with peers with whom you can discuss the subject you’re studying and exchange notes is highly beneficial as it can help you clear up any dilemmas and raise your motivation. Thus, you can use Dropbox or other similar cloud-based file-hosting services to easily share notes and messaging apps for discussions. Having a video call with your study buddy while studying can also be a great idea because it enables you to hold each other accountable.
Evidently, when incorporated in the study plan correctly, tech can be an extremely effective solution in terms of improving learning outcomes. The potential of getting distracted is always going to be there, which is why your determination and knowing how to use these powerful devices to your advantage are crucial factors.