Learning retention is the process of transferring acquired information into long-term memory. Once information is stored in your long-term memory, you can recall it in the future when it is required. This retention is needed for when your knowledge is tested in an exam, but more importantly, it means the information is there at your fingertips when you need it in a real-life situation.
The last decade has seen a steady increase in the number of people choosing to study for qualifications online. This increase has been more marked since the Covid-19 pandemic. Very often, people have opted for online learning rather than classroom-based programs because of the convenience, flexibility and cost savings they offer. However, the additional educational benefits are now being considered alongside the previous factors, as more and more studies are showing that online courses can also offer learning and motivational benefits. For example, a report from Campus Technology found that students who studied online or used a hybrid of e-learning and some time on campus were more likely to complete their course, and complete it in less time, than their full-time, campus-based peers.
Efficiency
The efficient use of time can make a big difference to the effectiveness of your learning. Online learning means your time is focused on actual studies, not on peripheral activities. Many of the issues that can cause disruption to learning are removed when you opt for online learning. For example, travel problems associated with commuting to class are not an issue for online learners. It is also much easier to catch up if you get sick or have other absences, as all your course materials will be available in digital format, ready for you to use in your own time, when you feel better.
Working in your own time
We all have natural preferences for study hours. Some people work best first thing in the morning, others during standard office hours, while for some working late into the night delivers the best results. Online learning gives you the flexibility to choose when you study. You may find that you complete assignments better during the day, while you retain most from exam revision if you study at night — or vice versa. Flexible online learning allows you to fit in learning at the best time for you.
Manageable chunks
One of the best strategies for improving retention is to break studying down into bite-sized chunks. This means learning objectives should be manageable, and content should be consumed in easily digestible amounts. Online learning lends itself to this style of study. Rather than trying to take in information hour after hour, you can create a plan that breaks down your goals and studies into sessions to suit you. When you have taken in as much as you can, you have the freedom to take a break, and return to your studies when you are ready to absorb more information.
Wellbeing for enhanced learning
The flexibility and efficiency of online learning allows for more time spent on your personal wellbeing. This forms a virtuous circle, with well-being activities creating the ideal mindset for effective learning when you return to your studies. When the time you would have spent traveling can be spent instead on mindfulness activities or exercise, your stress levels will be lowered, and your brain will be more receptive to taking in and retaining new information. Stress is not conducive to learning, and when you are experiencing it, you will find it takes far longer to complete your studies and revision, with information retention being much harder to achieve.
Interactive
It is widely recognized that interactive learning content leads to greater information retention. If a study program consists mainly of listening or reading it becomes hard for the mind to stay focused and is not as conducive to retention as interactive learning, such as completing exercises, quizzes or short tests online. These help to reinforce your studying and transfer information to your long-term memory. Find out more about how technology is affecting today’s learning environment.
Engaging material aids retention
The more engaging the material, the more likely students are to retain the content. E-learning resources are designed with optimal engagement in mind, making it easier for students to stay motivated and keep learning. In many cases, courses can be adapted to suit the needs of different learners and learning styles and to help optimize learning retention.
An online course gives you the opportunity to learn alongside students from across the US and all over the world. This wider level of engagement can help to make the course sessions more enjoyable, and this, in turn, aids retention of information. Having a chance to contribute to online discussion forums and share experiences enriches the study program for all participants. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been more analysis of how remote learning works, and its benefits. Studies into online learning are finding that remote learning has many advantages for promoting enhanced engagement.
Range of courses available
There are many remote learning programs to choose from, including online BSN programs for non-nurses. For example, Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing Online has an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, which gives you the excellent standard of education you need, and offers support with finding the clinical placements that make up an essential part of the course. You can select a course based on the content and learning format that is most appealing to you, rather than basing your choice on geographical constraints.
Work in a distraction-free zone
Online learning means you can avoid the distractions of the classroom by creating your own study space in your home. If you can set aside a room for your studies, so much the better, as other members of the household will know not to disturb you when you are in there. Having a calm space means that you can focus your mind on taking in the information you need, committing it to long-term memory.
