How to get the most out of your e-learning experience
1. Know what you don't know. Before you sign up for online training take advantage of the free skills assessments. Discover your weaknesses and plan accordingly.
2. Make a plan. Write down what you want to accomplish. Discuss your training objectives with your managers and coworkers.
3. Check your computer. Make sure your computer has the necessary system requirements and plug-ins needed to properly play back the online lessons. Review Microsoft E-Learning system requirements .
4. Create a schedule. Review your calendar and schedule a specific time to spend on your online courses. Commit to your appointments the same way you would to onsite classes.
5. Get help from your friends. If you prefer to learn in groups or need that extra nudge from a friend or coworker to logon to your lesson, organize a small study group. Sharing ideas can extend your learning and increase retention.
6. Avoid distractions. During your study time, turn off e-mail notification and your cell phone and close the door to your office. If you work in an open area, be considerate of those around you and use headphones for the audio segments of the lessons.
7. Relax and enjoy. Relaxation can help you concentrate and increase your learning. Try stretching, deep breaths, or listening to soft music while studying.
8. Take notes. During the lesson, use the "My Notes" feature and take down key points, questions, or great ideas you want to remember or explore after the lesson.
9. Take breaks. E-Learning enables you to learn at your own pace. Use the Bookmark feature to save your spot when you need to take a break or to break longer lessons into shorter study chunks.
10. Share your knowledge. Teaching others what you know helps you retain your learning. Make a habit of sharing your learning with your coworkers or friends. |
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Get ready to experience e-learning: 1. What do you want to accomplish?
You will get more from an e-learning course if you start with your goal in mind. For example, are you looking to go deep into a new technology, preparing for an upcoming project, preparing for a certification exam, or just want to understand a new product version?
2. What e-learning is right for you?
A variety of e-learning products are offered to help you accomplish your learning goal. For some topics, you'll find core and advanced level learning. You'll also find courses, clinics, and workshops, which provide varied depths of information and duration.
Here are a few of the features that make the learning experience even more beneficial.
Assessments - (and lesson-level assessment, where available) provide guidance on where you may want to focus.
Progress Tracking - tracks your progress through a course, so you can pick up where you left off.
Offline Player - enables you to download modules and study offline, then synchronize your progress when you come back online.
3. Select an e-learning product
To help you quickly find the e-learning course, clinic, or workshop that meets your needs, e-learning products are organized into specialty catalogs:
Home and Office User
IT Professional
Developer
In all catalogs, try the samples and free trials.
4. Use My Learning
My Learning is your personal Web space where you can keep track of all the learning products that interest you and launch, or return to, online products that you have purchased or activated.
When you choose an e-learning course, clinic, or workshop in a catalog, click on the Add to My Learning link. |