Most students face the challenge of staying focused in class, whether it involves chatting with peers, browsing their smartphones.
Or, in other words, procrastinating (my pain in the neck). In online classes when there is no control, these challenges become real, causing low focus. While we praise online learning as an unprecedented opportunity to access a global knowledge base, it has a major drawback.
Concerns about distractions during online classes are common among students. However, by using Saima and following some guidance, students may discover that maintaining focus during online classes can actually be easier than in traditional classroom-based learning.
What is Saima?
Saima stands out as the first AI-based adaptive video speed controller globally. It revolutionizes your video-watching experience by offering extensive speed control and focus boost features. With Saima, thousands of users already save 65%, registering 30% higher comprehension and productivity.
By adjusting the video speed to match your individual pace, Saima ensures optimal comprehension and efficiency automatically. Its Voice Boost feature smoothly enhances concentration, allowing users to consume more content in less time without sacrificing understanding. Additionally, Saima’s Voice Boost technology ensures clear and consistent audio quality throughout the video, delivering an effective viewing experience.
Comprehension and Focus in Online Learning
In online learning, it is crucial to stay focused and understand the material well. Students often face distractions like technology issues or noise, which can make it challenging to concentrate. Active engagement with course material and minimizing interruptions are crucial strategies to improve understanding and attention. By practicing techniques such as taking breaks, creating a conducive study environment, and practicing active listening, students can enhance comprehension and maintain focus during online classes or sessions. These methods empower learners to optimize their learning experience, retain information more effectively, and achieve better academic outcomes.
Common Online Learning Distractions
Smartphones and other digital devices are ever-present, and they are the major distractions. Look around, sitting in a cafe writing this article I see people staring at their phones instead of socializing.
In professional environments, the demands of meetings, deadlines, emails, and coworker communications can divert attention from prioritizing online learning. As an online learning management system user and L&D professional, the aim is to develop engaging content that captivates individuals, enabling them to absorb information effectively. Here are some of the most common distractions you should be aware of:
Social Media
Scrolling through feeds (and they have no end) can quickly consume so much time, leaving hours seemingly vanished. On average, people dedicate around two hours daily to social media, with a portion likely occurring during work hours. Check out the settings on your smartphone and you will see how many hours you spend on each app. The time that could be spent on more important things, like gaining a new skill, is just wasted.
Rather than focusing on tasks or training, employees may divert their attention to YouTube videos or browsing LinkedIn comments. However, this presents an opportunity to leverage social learning within your program. By acknowledging this trend, businesses can integrate social learning activities to engage employees effectively and align with their natural online behavior.
Work Communications
Whether employees are working remotely or in a traditional office setting, they get distractions like tons of emails, virtual meetings (often useless), and communication app notifications from colleagues. Work environments are dynamic and demand ongoing collaboration across different teams. However, when an employee is engaged in an online lesson and receives an email or meeting request, they often shift their focus to address the new task, leaving the previous one unfinished.
Notifications
Notifications can come from various sources, not just social media. A shopping app may alert you about sales, a weather app might warn of a storm, or a gaming app could remind you to collect rewards. These distracting notifications can seem never-ending, making it barely possible to stay focused unless you are fully engaged in the learning process. One solution is to recommend switching phones to flight mode, if feasible, during training sessions.
Multitasking
Employees often engage in multitasking, a habit ingrained in their work style and applied to various tasks, including online training. For insatance, they might believe it is manageable to have a training lesson playing in the background while composing an essential email. Alternatively, they may interrupt a virtual simulation to attend a client call. However, multitasking ultimately fragments attention and disrupts the learning process.
Complicated Lesson Design
While external distractions may be beyond control in certain instances, internal factors within eLearning design can also divert attention. Disorganized eLearning layouts can decrease efficiency and prompt employees to shift their focus elsewhere. Complex layouts featuring cluttered sidebars, menus, and advertisements are also distractions. Low-quality or outdated content makes the problem even more complicated.
Tips to Help You Focus During Online Learning
As discussed, staying concentrated during online learning is a thing. Here are some tips on maintaining focus while attending and studying for an online class:
Use Saima
By actively engaging with the course content and minimizing distractions with Saima, students can improve their comprehension and focus. Saima’s team conducted a survey among its users, revealing that 90% of respondents reported improved focus while using Saima to watch videos. This enhanced concentration correlated with improved comprehension and retention of the material being learned.
Create a Dedicated Study Space
Avoid using your kitchen or dining room table as a makeshift classroom because the fridge is close and it’s calling for you. Instead, create a peaceful workspace where household disruptions will not distract you. Setting up a dedicated study area is crucial for maintaining focus during online classes.
Treat Yourself
Online courses can feel overwhelming, so it is important to divide your study time to avoid exhaustion. For example, try studying for 30 minutes, followed by a brief 5-minute break. The Pomodoro technique is not just a trend; it does work. Studies indicate that incorporating short walking breaks during extended study periods can offer numerous benefits.
Take Notes By Hand
Constantly looking at a computer screen can strain your eyes. Take a break and have a notebook and pen nearby to jot down notes as you study. Research indicates that handwriting boosts memory retention and comprehension, providing another advantage.
Conclusion
Saima significantly impacts comprehension and focus in online learning environments. Through its interactive features and personalized approach, it fosters deeper engagement and understanding among students. Its integration into online education holds promise for enhancing learning outcomes and addressing the challenges of digital instruction in the modern era.