Learning is a challenging task to do because it requires all of the individual’s concentration, dedication, and persistence to succeed. The course proposes learning techniques which help to study, memorize information, and apply it. There are several teaching and learning strategies, which are universal; however, there are also useful techniques for an individual approach. The course helped me to understand the methodology of learning, what is necessary, how to use new knowledge and preserve it. Hence, it is a critical module that sets the basic understanding of how teaching and learning work together, instead of focusing on studying only.
Before the course, I had a stereotype that education utilizes reading as a primary method. In fact, all a student has to do is read, reread, and memorize information. However, this habit was proven to be ineffective, according to the course’s methodology. The active learning consists of writing and modeling a situation which uses the studied material. Hence, I changed my attitude to memorizing and manipulating with the learned information. The priority for me is to repeat the content by writing about it and trying to teach someone else, as these are practical techniques to increase comprehension and fill the gaps I might have. Nonetheless, overall I have become more of an active learner, more involved in learning, instead of only reading and seeing examples.
The understanding of how learning works and how it influences the overall academic success helps to prioritize the core aspects of education. For instance, instead of concentrating on an ineffective approach, it is more natural and more beneficial to take some practical tasks and test a real level of knowledge one has. By having a list of priorities, it is possible to manage time better as useless techniques should not take as much time as the effective ones. Typically, the student learns and reads everything without any system or time management, which decreases academic success. I believe prioritizing methods and subjects will improve my grades significantly as I would not spend limited resources on something irrelevant.
The module clearly states that writing is a vital component of any successful learning experience. It is a primary tool to memorize and use the knowledge in the future. However, nowadays, writing is underestimated, but it is one of the most effective techniques to learn anything. I would try to use writing as much as possible during lectures and labs as it positively influences memorizing and comprehending new information. As the course suggests, it is a universal method for everyone, despite one’s preferences. However, it is necessary to consider carefully what kind of information is important and what is useless for the course and oneself. A lack of a plan could create an unhealthy environment for education while prioritizing the tasks prevents it.
Overall, the course provides valuable and applicable information which helps to understand the methodology behind teaching and learning. It is a difficult job to study and be open to new information. However, it improves one’s understanding of the academic courses and experience from learning. Therefore, the course is useful and could be applied to different disciplines in the future. Without these concepts, new information would be much more ineffective and forgettable. New information needs time and effort to stay inside one’s head and be used as a helpful tool in the future. My personal, academic success and the level of understanding would only benefit from the strategies I have learned.