While students are completing their enrolled units, in addition to individual work, very often they will be asked to form into groups for presentation or written assignments. Why?
One principal reason is to help students get better prepared for their future career. We live in a society where we have to interact with others time and again. In course units, the lecturers deliver lectures and impart knowledge to the students. At the same time, the students are expected to study and do research on the unit materials to solidify as well as reflect on what have been learnt. Individual assignment is one way to achieve that. On top, group work can train students to get accustomed to different group dynamics while working with different classmates. Concepts and ideas, when bounced around in a group, can become more comprehensible and refined. Additional skills such as the following are likely to be honed:
- Interpersonal skills – how to communicate, interact and work with others;
- Leadership skills – how to manage an assessment to meet deadline and other requirements. Though a team leader may not be explicitly elected, someone within the group must take the initiative to coordinate and get others to work. When team members have completed their individual work, the leader or someone else must do an overall review to do some standardisation and ensure the entire work is cohesive.
Inevitably, working in group is not always smooth sailing: the task may take longer to complete; conflicts may arise when some members are not cooperating; result may not be as good as expected. Nevertheless, the experience gained and skills acquired can be readily transferred to the workplace. It will only help build your future career.
Effective Time Management
While students are completing their enrolled units, in addition to individual work, very often they will be asked to form into groups for presentation or written assignments. Why?
One principal reason is to help students get better prepared for their future career. We live in a society where we have to interact with others time and again. In course units, the lecturers deliver lectures and impart knowledge to the students. At the same time, the students are expected to study and do research on the unit materials to solidify as well as reflect on what have been learnt. Individual assignment is one way to achieve that. On top, group work can train students to get accustomed to different group dynamics while working with different classmates. Concepts and ideas, when bounced around in a group, can become more comprehensible and refined. Additional skills such as the following are likely to be honed:
- Interpersonal skills – how to communicate, interact and work with others;
- Leadership skills – how to manage an assessment to meet deadline and other requirements. Though a team leader may not be explicitly elected, someone within the group must take the initiative to coordinate and get others to work. When team members have completed their individual work, the leader or someone else must do an overall review to do some standardisation and ensure the entire work is cohesive.
Inevitably, working in group is not always smooth sailing: the task may take longer to complete; conflicts may arise when some members are not cooperating; result may not be as good as expected. Nevertheless, the experience gained and skills acquired can be readily transferred to the workplace. It will only help build your future career.
Motivation and Team Work
As a first-time distance learning student, my experience thus far and from an informal interview with a friend (also on a distance learning program) has been informative. With the flexibility we have, study can be self-paced and the ability to interact with classmates from different parts of the world without having to incur travel costs or work capabilities make it more interesting and enlightening. The key, however is “motivation”. Some students are supported financially by employers and family, but what all distance-learning students must have in common is a passion for their subject and a commitment to self-studying.
Collaborated on Ideas
While circumstances and situations differ, it is important to take advantage of the benefits that learning across borders poses such as increased networking, collaboration and ideas sharing thus initiating an exposure to innovative and unique perspectives. My experience of distance learning has been exciting and enlightening. I have got to know people from various countries and continents, identified with them (despite cultural differences) in terms of motives for registering, collaborated on ideas discussed, and built friendships that transcend the virtual environment.
Keep Focused and Track Progress
Drinking two litres of water a day and having a sleep schedule has drastically improved my focus and ability to concentrate, but more so having a set plan already in place, I no longer open my books and waste precious time wondering what to do or where to focus. I can look at my chart and see exactly what I need to do and get started straight away.
After all the hard work, it’s very rewarding to cross off the topics on your calendar to show how far you have come. This can help keep you on track and stay motivated and give you the best chance of success.
My experience of distance learning has been exciting and enlightening! I have got to know people from various countries and continents.
A few of my friends are also studying, not at the same university or even the same course, but having other friends who I can ‘study buddy’ with or check in, keeps us all determined and on track. Scheduling in catch-up time can give much needed respite without panic. This keeps your goals realistic and manageable.