What are the best tools and strategies to reduce noise and distraction in online learning?

Lack of interest in the subject matter is a primary distraction. Adult learners who enroll in online courses at a much later stage in their life to learn a very specific skill will work around the distractions of online learning. Whereas, undergraduate students who enroll in mandatory courses that are required by the university, which have little or no relevance to the student's career objectives can cause major boredom among students.

One of the ways I minimize my brain's "noise" is by having a "parking lot" - a piece of paper that I use to write down anything that comes into my head that is unrelated to the task at hand, such as a reminder to do something or research something later. It both gets the distraction out of my mind and gives me a pre-populated to-do list for later!

Having completed a Master Degree online and working primarily remotely, I've learned that a dedicated room with a door for your work/learning is vital. Being disconnected and having a learning environment that is your own takes out distractions and lets those around you know you are in learning or working mode. In addition to this, as mentioned above, noise cancelling headphones are an excellent tool as well. Whether listening to an instructor, collaborating with others, or putting on some lo-fi study music to help me focus, I wear these all the time.

I’ve found the two best ways to minimize noise and distractions when attending online courses is to strictly use a laptop and to participate in a self-imposed “rectangle challenge.” The rectangle challenge is placing the one device that connects us all, our phones, into another room on silent, thereby eliminating the urge for an immediate dopamine boost every time the phone lights up. This combination allows for complete mental focus and uninterrupted, quality learning time on the task in front of me.

Virtual learning tips -Choose a quiet, well lit environment. -If pre-work was assigned, complete it prior to the training to be fully prepared. Write down potential questions. -Organize training materials and pen and paper for notes. -Join prior to start time to avoid equipment issues and ensure calm focus. Use headphones. -Smile when speaking. It shows in your voice and demeanor, thus setting a calming tone for learning for everyone. -Be completely focused, participate and take notes to retain new knowledge. -When speaking, be brief, relevant and clear and mute yourself when not speaking. -Note participants you’d like to meet to leverage internal networking. -Thank the trainer via email.

Timing matters. As an adult online learner it is imperative to know when the information is actually needed. There is just too much going on around families and full time jobs to retain all the information. The time to learn something is when you actually need to use it.