The Pros And Cons Of Online Learning

The global pandemic is having an impact in many areas of society, especially education. Lectures have been moved to online learning environments such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. And although learning things digitally is something many of us are used to, the set-up of online class rooms is still a big change for everyone involved.

Teachers and students who have become accustomed to spending time in conventional in-person environments, will need to adapt to the online learning model. As well as adopt new (and unfamiliar) teaching and learning strategies.

In this blog post we will explore some of the pros and cons of online learning.

The Pros Of Online Learning

Improved accessibility to education

E-learning can improve accessibility. Those who would struggle to attend a class in-person, due to a disability for example, have no issues with virtually attending one from the comfort of their home. Universities are also able to serve larger groups of students as they are not limited by physical space.

Improved accessibility of course materials

In a physical classroom setting, students normally need to take excessive notes and only have one chance to listen and process the information. Online lessons are generally recorded and the students can look back and study the material multiple times.

Improving the accessibility of course material can help students who struggle in certain areas. Providing a mix of video content, audio files, transcriptions, and notes can aid students with different learning styles.

Digital learning is affordable

In contrast to in-person learning, e-learning is normally more affordable. E-learning eliminates a couple of costs associated with standard education. Firstly, the travel costs for the student and secondly the real estate costs for the University or College.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 many students have been forced into online learning without receiving any reduction in fees. This could change in the future though.

Improved attendance

Students miss fewer classes since they can easily access their lessons from anywhere.

Encourages participation from students who may be shy in person.

Many students that tend to be withdrawn in class environments can feel more confident opening up in a digital setting. They can be much more forthcoming, as far as participation and questions are concerned. This can be attributed to being comfortable in familiar surroundings.

The Cons Of Online Learning

Different learning styles

People have different learning styles. Some are better learning kinaesthetically, while others are auditory learners. Another group might be visual learners. E-learning can be quite one dimensional and as such may not accommodate everyone’s preferred learning style.

Universities should try to minimise this impact by providing video content, audio files, transcriptions, and notes (as mentioned above in benefits.)

Easy to Get Distracted

Many students are unable to retain their concentration for long periods of time during a virtual lecture. It is easy for boredom to set in since no in-person interaction exists. It adds extra pressure for the lecturers to try and keep online sessions interactive and engaging enough for students to stay interested.

No Social Interaction

People tend to learn things by being around others. Sadly, online learning eliminates in-person interactions for both teachers and students. Discussing ideas and talking to one another is important for students, and is also an integral aspect of learning. You can sometimes learn more from discussing a topic with your class mates than listening to a lecture.

Some platforms like Zoom have features to try and combat this. On Zoom, the host can create virtual break rooms within the call. This puts participants into smaller groups where they can discuss things amongst themselves.

Screen Time Overload

There are unhealthy consequences of looking at a computer or mobile device screen for hours on end, such as ergonomic issues and eye strain.

Conclusion

All approaches to learning come with their share of advantages and obstacles. Many institutions are still finding their feet with e-Learning but expect it to improve rapidly over the coming months. Since everybody is at the mercy of Covid-19, some type of virtual learning is necessary to keep education going for students.

If you are struggling to stay focused during online classes check out our studying at home tips.

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Otter.Ai – Free Transcription App

Otter.ai is a transcription app powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Otter.ai gives you the ability to transcribe audio, whether in person or digitally online.

We’ve been quite impressed with the app and although it isn’t currently DSA funded, it is available completely free for up to 600 minutes per month.

If you require more minutes you can upgrade to 6000 minutes for $8.33 per month, but students can benefit from 50% off this price.  So you are looking at roughly £4.00 per month (depending on exchange rate) for 6000 minutes of transcription. That could equate to 100 hour long lectures each month…A great deal in our opinion.

Possible ways to use Otter…

Taking Notes

This is one of the most dreaded, yet indispensable parts of the University experience and Otter can help take some of the stress away. If you struggle to concentrate on the discussion and make notes at the same time, then Otter can be trusted to faithfully transcribe full conversations. Using Otter you can also add pictures and images that could help make recall and study easier.

Transcribing Research Interviews

Otter gives you the freedom to worry about the truly important stuff. This means that it handles the grunt work of interview transcriptions and gives you the time to focus on analysis and result interpretations in your field of study.

Students with Hearing Impairments

Otter can also aid students who have a hearing impairment. This service faithfully captures and transcribes all verbal information, giving students with impaired hearing the ability to easily make notes. The app could also be used in non-academic settings to aid in communication.

Benefiting from Podcasts

Times have changed, and these days it is equally likely to come across academic nuggets in podcasts as it is to hear them spoken in the lecture hall. Otter can be used to transcribe information from digital media such as podcasts, audiobooks or YouTube video.

Conclusion

Otter is a great, cost effective tool that has the potential to really aid you in your studies and make your life easier.

Visit https://otter.ai/ to learn more.

For some other awesome free tools that can aid you in your studies, check out our blog posts on Forest, Freedom and Grammarly.

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What Happens In Study Skills Sessions

In this blog post we cover what you can expect and what happens during one-to-one study skills sessions. We would like to give a special thank you to Diversity And Ability (D&A), who helped facilitate this content.

Study Skills

Study Skills support is tailored, one-to-one tuition that will help you understand your learning style, to embrace your strengths and work on strategies to overcome challenges. In short, to help you study more effectively and efficiently.

‘The strategies I learnt were all extremely helpful and have allowed me to read articles twice as fast. Usually, I would struggle with reading my own work, whereas I was shown a new method of how to speed this up and make it easier for myself.’ – Xavier, Third Year, Goldsmiths, University of London

What Areas Do Study Skills Cover?

Your tutor will work with you throughout your time as a student on a variety of topics relevant to you and your learning style. Below are some common study areas your tutor can help you with.

• Organisation and timekeeping    
• Essay composition and planning
• Reading and proofreading
• Note-taking
• Research and referencing
• Revision
• Mental health and procrastination

It is best to meet with your tutor once a week for an hour throughout the term, however, there is always flexibility depending on your course demands and workload. The first session will focus on establishing your learning goals with following sessions then building on this, with an emphasis on enhancing transferable study skills that will enable you to reach your full potential.

‘I have noticed vast changes from start to finish. I have developed a higher standard of writing skills that has resulted in achieving higher grades in my assignments. It was really beneficial to find a tutor who I felt supported and adjusted to my learning needs.’ – Mohammed, Second Year, London South Bank University

How Has Covid-19 Impacted The Delivery Of Study Skills?

Although face-to-face study skills sessions have been put on hold for the time being, tutors are highly experienced to teach students with a range of learning styles on a variety of online platforms. Your tutor will discuss with you the best online platform for you to make sure your sessions can take place consistently and effectively.

‘During the COVID-19 lockdown I have been able to carry on my Study Skills sessions without the pandemic affecting my grades as my tutor has taught me to use skype, something I had never used before. I’m so grateful to have this new skill!’ – Abbie, First Year, University of Essex

Learn about other kinds of non medical helper support

Book a DSA Assessment

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What Happens During Specialist Mentoring

In this blog post we cover what you can expect and what happens during specialist mentoring sessions. We would like to give a special thank you to Diversity And Ability (D&A), who helped facilitate this content.

What Is Specialist Mentoring?

Mentoring, in a nutshell, offers confidential one-to-one support to help you feel happier and more confident while you study. University life can bring with it a unique set of stressors and challenges. Mentoring will allow you to manage these, enabling you to become more independent, feel more confident with your work and have a better university experience.

“Prior to starting the sessions, I had no idea what to expect and have since been surprised just how truly helpful they are. The flexibility that fed into every part of the sessions really allowed me to build my confidence in considering and prioritising my wellbeing and voice. My mentor was really great at holding the space for me and I always felt safe, heard and valued. Having the time and space to talk through and reflect on things in a way I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise has been invaluable. I’m really grateful for all that I’ve learnt. “

Sophie, Second Year, Goldsmith, University of London

The Logistics Of Specialist Mentoring

Mentoring sessions typically last an hour and take place regularly throughout the academic year in a private, comfortable, and safe space.  All mentors are experienced practitioners, holding relevant qualifications in the field of mental health and membership of an appropriate professional body.

“My mentor was amazing! Very understanding, very helpful, he gave emotional support and was also very effective with planning and organising tasks, goal setting. It made everything easier and he was such a big help.”

 Sam, First Year, London South Bank University

How COVID-19 Has Affected Specialist Mentoring

Although face-to-face mentoring support has been put on hold for the time being, mentors are now fully equipped to provide sessions remotely through a variety of online platforms. As with face-to-face, online sessions will continue to support students in the following areas:

• Assistance with any pastoral matters which are causing anxiety or stress
• Support with motivation and morale
• Building confidence and self-esteem
• Emotional support with a focus on enabling the development of emotional awareness and wellbeing strategies

Furthermore, many practitioners are using inbuilt accessibility features, such as live captioning, to make online mentoring as inclusive and as effective as it’s ever been.

‘It was getting really tough to manage everything at once and having this support has helped in a lot of ways. I really like how the support is still made accessible online, and it doesn’t feel less beneficial than a face-to-face session. In the current situation, I’ve needed my sessions more than ever’

Shivani, First Year, King’s College London

 

Learn about other kinds of non medical helper support

Book a DSA Assessment

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7 Tips For Making Friends In Freshers (updated for COVID-19)

We first posted this article on 7 tips for making friends in freshers back in June 2019, however with the current pandemic we thought it would be good to revisit this with some updated tips for this years freshers.

1) First of all remember that everyone is in the same boat. Everyone is new and will be feeling excited but also apprehensive and a little shy/ nervous. Some people just hide it better than others. Most people are living away from home for the first time and like you are trying to find their feet.

2) Before you go to Uni, there is probably the opportunity to meet future fellow students and flatmates online. Most universities will have forums for new students where you can discuss courses and accommodation. Be proactive and utilise this, get to know people on social media and possibly meet up beforehand or get together on arrival, you will have made a head start.

3) Be friendly….you don’t have to be an extrovert or the life and soul of the party but try to be welcoming and approachable with your new flat mates/fellow students. You are going to be together for a large chunk of your first year so make a particular effort this week. Even if you’re painfully shy, good advice is to smile, introduce yourself, try to remember names and show interest in the people you meet, ask a few questions but keep it light. Remember they are probably feeling the same.

In light of Covid-19 try to be more respectful of people’s personal space. You might feel comfortable with people in your space but it doesn’t mean that everyone feels this way.

4) Try to get to your new accommodation early and unpack asap, it’s going to be a busy week and it will help make life easier if your room is organised and everything is at hand. You will meet people as they arrive and it also leaves you more time to socialise and join in with the week’s events!

5) Resist the urge to hide away  in your room, if you are unpacking leave the door open so people can chat if they are passing. If new people arrive, introduce yourself, maybe offer to make them a drink.

6) Don’t overdo it but do try to join in with as many things as you can, be open to events on offer and join societies you are interested in. In fact, if someone asks you to join a society with them or try an activity that you hadn’t previously considered, give it a go, you may discover a new passion and at the very least meet new friends.

7) Try to enjoy the experience, you may not meet your lifelong friends in the first week but friendships will be forged. Stress not, you are probably there for at least three years and new friends and different friendship groups  will be established over time. Relax and the rest is easy.

 

Check out our full guide on Transitioning to university during COVID-19.

To find out more about us visit A2B Assessments

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The Mental Health Benefits Of Journaling

In this blog post we will be exploring the mental health benefits of journaling…

Keeping a journal or diary is becoming increasingly popular and can be a useful tool to manage stress, anxiety and depression. There are an increasing number of studies showing the mental health benefits of journaling and although it is not a substitute for conventional treatments, it may be a practical way to help you manage your mental health.

The act of expressing feelings and thoughts in writing can clear the mind and help you to reflect and be aware of negative patterns. Identifying key triggers of stress can help with self awareness and self development. You can then prioritise problems and work through negative thought processes and behaviours to help limit their impact. This can alleviate emotional trauma.

Journals can be a safe and secure place to record innermost thoughts and emotions in complete confidence, and without fear of being judged. Some people like to reflect on their writing to understand their journey and personal development. However, others don’t feel the need to constantly re-read everything. The act of articulating their thoughts in writing and emptying them out of their head is enough to bring mental clarity and promote positive emotional health.

There is no right or wrong way to journal, it is very personal and can be used in the way most suited to your personality and lifestyle. Write about what you want to and as little or as much as you want. It is also important to remember that if you do not find it enjoyable or useful, then there are alternative therapies available to support mental health and there is no pressure to continue.

If the thought of keeping a journal is of interest to you, here are some ideas to get you started. However, remember, it is your personal journey and there are no real rules.

Choose a method that appeals to you

You can choose to write on paper or use a digital journal. If you like to draw, use diagrams or symbols to illustrate your thoughts, a paper journal may enable you to be more creative. Writing by hand is slower but the idea is that this helps you to process your thoughts more thoroughly. A paper journal can also be more convenient, it is portable, you can carry it about, pick it up and write instantly without relying on passwords or charged batteries etc. The main disadvantage is that you could lose your journal and therefore all of your writing.

Alternately, if you prefer to word process, you may be better suited to a digital method. If you think privacy may be a problem, secure password protection can obviously help to safeguard your writing. Entries can be faster when typing, and various online apps have useful organisational features and prompts that can be difficult to reproduce in simple notebook form. You can also journal in Microsoft Word or Pages.

Day One is a free app for Mac and IOS users, (you can upgrade for more features). You can add photographs and text and your entries can be exported into a PDF file. Grid Diary is another useful app which provides templates and prompts to help you reflect. Most of the features are free to use but again you can pay for upgrades.  Evernote is an app we have covered on the A2B blog before and allows you to make notes that easily sync across all of your devices (read our Evernote write up).

The kind of journalling method you choose is purely down to preference and the medium you feel most comfortable using.

Keep your journal close by

Keep your journal close to you if possible, in a bag, desk drawer or bedside table. You are more likely to write about your current feelings and moods if it is easily accessible. It is more probable that you will also develop and maintain a regular habit if you keep it handy. A digital option can usually be accessed by mobile phone which most people constantly have with them.

Write regularly

Although writing regularly is recommended to keep track of your thoughts and feelings, the idea is that journalling is meant to help you feel better and shouldn’t feel like a chore. Try and put a period of time aside on a daily basis if possible, and it will get easier and gradually become second nature.

Use a timer if it helps, for example you could aim to write for at least fifteen minutes per day. You don’t have to stop when the timer goes off if there is more you want to say, but you will have achieved at least fifteen minutes. This can be extended if necessary as you become more experienced and comfortable with the process. One timer app that we love is Forest, which allows you to use the time you have accumulated in the app to plant real trees in the rainforest.

Choose a time that is convenient, maybe when you wake up, on your daily commute, your lunch break or before you go to sleep.

However, if at first you find the process difficult, write when you feel able to and don’t ever feel under pressure.

Quick Start Challenge

If you are feeling pressed for time this 5 minute per day challenge will give you a taste of the mental health benefits of keeping a journal. First thing on a morning write down 3 things you are grateful for and then on an evening write down 3 good things that happened that day. Try this for 7 days and see if you feel more positive.

Write naturally

You are expressing your thoughts and feelings. Don’t worry about punctuation, grammar and spelling. It is important to just write honestly and let it flow using language you feel comfortable with. To help you keep track of events you might find it useful to date your entries.

Format

Express yourself in ways that are comfortable for you, you could write lists, bullet points, write a poem, use illustrations or write in story form. Some people write letters as a way of communicating their feelings to someone. The letter is not usually intended to be delivered, but writing down thoughts that they would like to express to someone can be therapeutic.

Write without self-judgement

It is your journal and no-one is judging you so do not judge yourself. Allow yourself to be upset about things and write about negative emotions, fear, hurt, jealousy, without embarrassment or guilt. These feelings are normal and you are doing a positive thing by trying to resolve issues and inner-conflict.

Review

You may find that you write about your feelings and worries when you are at your most emotional. Reviewing these later when you may be feeling more relaxed and calm can help you to reflect and put them into perspective. This can help identify trigger points that you can recognise and try to avoid, making better choices in future.

Bullet journalling

A bullet journal is a flexible method to help you track goals, short and long term and significant events and milestones. It helps you to be more focused and organised by recording everything in one place and helps to de-clutter the mind, which again can promote positive mental health. More information about bullet journalling can be found here.

For more articles like this check out the rest of the A2B blog or book a DSA assessment.

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Android Accessibility Updates

Accessibility has always been at the forefront of the Android platform and Google has recently implemented some Android Accessibility updates and added even more features. These are excellent additions for anyone to make use of, but especially people with disabilities.

Action Blocks

Action Blocks is a feature that has been in development for a while and finally it has been released to the public. This groundbreaking app allows users to perform complex actions with a single tap.  Using a widget on your home screen, you can program the widget to carry out any task on your phone.  Then with a single click the Action Block can repeat the task.

Action Blocks comes with a number of actions already installed and ready to use immediately. You can also create your custom actions for anything you can imagine. For anyone with a cognitive disability, Action Blocks can really make life easier.

Live Transcribe

 Google’s “Live Transcribe” application is also getting a few upgrades. A new update which allows the app to learn new specialised words, improves on what was already a very useful app. Google have also added functionality that allows you to search through all of your transcriptions for any keyword.

Another great feature is that you can set a keyword and then your device will vibrate when this keyword is mentioned. This could be extremely useful if you need to listen out for a specific topic or if you have a hearing impairment.

Voice Access

Android users who have motor or physical impairments can make use of the newly improved “Voice Access” app. The app is more fluid than ever and allows users to carry out basic functions on their phone using just their voice.

Previously apps used to just be numbered on your screen and you would say the corresponding number. With the latest update Voice Access recognises the app’s name, so you can be a lot more direct and just say exactly what you need.

Sound Amplifier

 Sound Amplifier would previously only increase the volume with wired headphones, but with the new update it will also boost the sound over Bluetooth.

Google Maps

Wheelchair users will be happy to hear that the latest Google Maps update allows you to show wheelchair access from the main screen, instead of having to hit a button and select it. A small but time saving feature.

You can download all of these updated app for free from the Google Play Store

Check out our full guide to Android Accessibility.

Thanks for reading

A2B Assessments DSA Assessors

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