a study desk with a white chair

It is important to prepare a comfortable and organized learning environment before taking any classes online. Personal organization can often be the difference between good and bad online classroom experiences.

Preparing an organized learning environment includes two parts:

Preparing a comfortable and organized study space.
Keeping your electronic files organized.

Preparing a Comfortable and Organized Study Space

A comfortable and organized study space allows you to focus on your learning tasks and learn effectively. Ley and Young (2001) suggested several strategies to establish an effective distraction-free study environment.

Here are some tips on how to prepare a comfortable and organized study space.

Tip 1: Identify a quiet space.

Identify a quiet space for you to study. If possible, find a space with a closable door and a window. The door can be closed to eliminate any noise outside, while a window can be used to get some fresh air for your brain. You can also look at the view outside through the window to give your eyes a break if it is necessary.

Eliminate any distractions in the study space, such as put your cell phone away, remove prints and photos on your wall, do not bring in any food or drinks except a bottle of water, etc.

Tip 2: Make sure you have adequate lighting.

Good lighting prevents eye strain and also helps webcams present better pictures during live sessions.

Tip 3: Use a quality microphone and webcam for live sessions.

In live sessions, it is imperative that your classmates and instructors are able to see and hear you clearly. A good camera and microphone will ensure that you can stay involved in real-time discussions.

Tip 4: Use a comfortable chair.

How you feel while you are studying affects the quality of your learning. Invest in a comfortable chair, or consider a standing desk. Standing desks have been gaining in popularity because they promote better posture and allow more freedom of movement.

Tip 5: Organize your files

Having files organized is important. Organize your files by courses if you are taking more than one course at the same time. Put all files, textbook, and notebooks of a particular course together. Files can also been organized by file types or categories. For example, you can organize files by the following categories: reading materials, assignments, projects, and lab-related materials.

Tip 6: Limit interruptions.

It is important to limit interruptions during your study time. Put a note on your door if it is applicable. When attending a class through Zoom or other web conference tools, try to use a headphone to eliminate unnecessary noise. It is also helpful to sit in front of a plain wall or use a virtual background.

Electronic Documents

Most, if not all, of your important documents will be electronic. Without an organized filing system, it is easy to lose track of them.

The best way to organize electronic documents depends on the types of files you are dealing with. Classes may use text, audio, video, and other file formats at the same time. These general tips can help you regardless of file format:

Tip 1: Plan out your folder architecture.

Plan out your folder architecture carefully. Folder organization can vary depending on many factors: use preferences, computer location, whether the computer is your main computer or backup.

Choose easy criteria to break down your files and create meaningful subfolders. You may want to create a folder for all your online work, or perhaps you want to create separate folders for each course or each assignment. Decide what kind of breakdown you are most comfortable with.

Tip 2: Use cloud storage.

Use cloud storage. Place your folders on an accessible drive such as Google Drive, Microsoft One Drive, the Amazon Cloud, or the Apple Cloud.

Tip 3: Use meaningful file names.

Give your folders and files meaningful names. You will find that including course names, assignment names, and dates will help you locate files quickly and easily. Try to keep file names as short as possible, however.

Tip 4: Backup your files.

Backup all the important files. An organized computer is only helpful as long as the hardware is doing its job. But hard drives fail. Motherboards can short out. Coffee can spill onto laptops. Keep backups for your files! You can use a device such as a flash drive or portable hard drive to maintain copies of your files, or you can use cloud-based storage options. Using both provides double protection. Make sure your backups are regularly updated. Use antivirus and anti-malware software for ALL your devices.

References

Ley, K., & Young, D. B. (2001). Instructional principles for self-regulation. Educational Technology Research and Development, 49(2), 93-103.