A full semester of IIT education in an Online mode is quite a significant change to what we are used to, for students as well as teachers. If it were the regular, on-campus, face-to-face classes, the only advice you would have got about Academics are: attend the lectures, take notes, study hard, meet instructors/ TAs if you have any questions!
We are working hard to provide you with the same quality of education that you have come to expect from us, albeit virtually. However, for the online mode to be effective, you, as a student, do need to invest required efforts. We have put together some tips & suggestions to help you.
Accessories
- Laptop or Computer: This is necessary. Suggested minimum specifications: 14” screen laptop (or a separate 18” monitor+CPU), front facing camera, 4GB RAM, 512 GB HDD, good screen resolution and processor speed. Any OS (Linux/ Mac/ Windows) is fine. Make sure you have enough storage on your laptop (or phone) for storing all or at least some weeks’ lectures.
- Smartphone: Any smartphone with >= 5” screen should be fine. Communication, checking App notifications, etc is easier using a smartphone.
- Broadband/ 4G: Broadband has stable internet connections with sufficient speed. Look for suitable service providers (like BSNL, Airtel, Jio, Vodafone, TataSky etc. ) at your locality. If broadband is not possible, you may need at least a good 4G connection. Switch to the best service provider in your area if required. You should be able to download about 20 hrs of video every week for the lectures. This corresponds to about 2GB of data.
- Headphones: Comfortable headphones (with mic) will be useful for listening to the many hours of videos. Noise-cancellation headphones can help reduce/eliminate background noise.
- Notebook and Pen: While we are tech-ing up, let’s not forget to get ourselves essential notebooks and pens to take notes, solve problems, etc!
Workspace/ Learning space
A dedicated workspace will be extremely useful. A simple desk+chart arrangement, with space to write notes will be sufficient. Try to locate it in a well ventilated, well lighted and quiet part of your home if possible. Ensure that the monitor is placed ergonomically, to reduce strain. A white/black board too might come in handy. This space can become your go-to space to read, learn, and work on homeworks.
Learning Online
- The course material, shared as videos lectures, slides, webpages, documents, etc along with live online interactions are all together aimed at helping you learn the subject.
- When watching a content video, see the video completely, without a break. Pay full attention to the video.
- Take notes. Jot down key points on your notebook as the video is being played.
- The videos may show how to solve a problem. Still, on your own, try to work out the problem in your notebook.
- Write down things you didn’t fully understand. If possible, see the video again to understand it. Read any reading material suggested.
- Use the live online interaction sessions held every week to clarify any questions you may have on the course.
- You can also post questions/ comments/ queries on the course website/ forum.
- See videos of the topic before the live online interaction session for the same. Live interaction sessions can be driven by the students’ queries.
- Some lectures may also be on live online mode.
- Be on time for the live interaction classes.
- Make a timetable for yourself to watch lecture videos + doing assignments + attending live online interactions, and stick to it.
- Typically, completing the online semester, and meeting deadlines, will require 30-40 hours of work per week. Learning is a full time job!
- Every course will have, apart from the Instructor, many Teaching Assistants (TAs). The TAs are Ph.D./Masters students who have done the course before. Use their assistance in learning the course.
Other points
- You can definitely interact with your batch mates, and other students doing the course.
- You can form your own peer learning group to help learn better.
- If you have any difficulty in attending lectures or managing the semester, please reach out to your Faculty Advisor, Online Semester Support Unit, IEOR Student Council, and/or IEOR office. We will try our best to help you adjust and manage the semester.
Other Helpful resources
https://www.gvsu.edu/officeergonomics/computer-monitor-8.htm
https://blog.edx.org/tips-for-successful-online-learning/
https://blog.coursera.org/8-tips-for-effective-online-learning/
https://www.northeastern.edu/bachelors-completion/news/successful-online-learning-strategies/