1. ‘Its just a question of time: learning by distance in a 21st century university’ Presented by Elizabeth Partington s0155407
2. Introduction Students are diverse individuals Reasons for choosing Distance Learning Today we will look at findings of a distance learning study Risks to study time of Procrastination & Stress Time management ideas to help students involve their families and find time to study 2
3. Studies & Distance Learning 2003 Deacon University – 1st year psychology findings - Off-campus students – higher confidence in study strategy, spent more time studying units, positive about computer use and gave electronic resources greater value and utilised them more 3
4. Review your first term. How did you start? Were you organised and planned? Did procrastination and/or stress effect your study time? Did your studies and assignments run on time? What had good or bad affects on your time use? 4
5. Risk of Procrastination Wikipedia definition – is a behaviour which is characterised by deferment of actions or tasks to a later time Procrastination is – counterproductive, needless and delaying 5
6. Why is Procrastination a problem for university distance learning? You have control over your own time What and how you are expected to learn may be less clear You may find you are getting less guidance Some of your old study techniques may not be effective 6
7. Finding – Structured Procrastination Essay by John Perry – justifying procrastination as a form of perfectionism An ability to be busy doing unimportant tasks on your list of to do’s as a way of avoiding important tasks But minimising of tasks to just a few important ones will lead to becoming lazy. Website www.structuredprocrastination.com 7
8. Still Procrastinating? Procrastinating can result in: Stress A sense of guilt The loss of personal productivity The creation of crisis Disapproval from others for not fulfilling responsibilities or commitments 8
9. Risk of Stress Accepted definition (attributed to Richard S Lazarus) stress is a condition or feeling experienced when a person perceives that ‘demands exceed personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilise’ 9
10. Stress – how to cope?Easy but short term solutions only Unhealthy ways Smoking Excessive alcohol Bad eating habits Zoning out – TV or computer Withdrawal from family, friends and activities Drug use Procrastinating 10
14. Distance Learning study and Time Management We cannot manage time itself there are only 24 hours in a day! Only 7 days in a week and only 12 weeks in a term! Deadlines for course work need to be met! 12
15. Meaningful Priority and Time Management by Don Clayton Managing yourself – personal focus on health, when is your mental best, motivation and commitment, time to think/plan Managing tasks – urgency verses importance, avoid only setting short term goals and not creating continuity of motivation, limit interruptions (telephone, email, people) Managing other people – communicate the importance of your study time, delegate other tasks clearly and concisely 13
18. Look for alternative ideas – research, self help books, internet and university resources.
19. There is help at hand – CQU student services, support and counselling services. ASK! 14
20. Conclusion As a Hong Kong study into distance learning found: a sense of efficacy will also contribute to the development of optimal motivation as efficacy beliefs predicted both attitudes and achievement levels over time. (Ng 2002) 15
22. References Armatas, C, Holt, D & Rice, M 2003. ‘Impacts of online-supported, resource-based learning environment: does one size fit all?’ Distance Education vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 141-159, (online ProQuest) Clayton, D 2004, Meaningful Priority and Time Management [online]. In: Leadershift: The Work-life Balance Program; pages: 30-65. viewed 18 April 2009, http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=646526243930189;res=IELHSS Helpguide, n.d., Stress Management, viewed 19 April 2009, http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stess_management_relief_coping.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procrastination http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_management Ng,C 2002, ‘Relations between motivational goals, beliefs, strategy use and learning outcomes among university students in a distance learning mode: A longitudinal study’, paper presented to the Annual conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education, Brisbane 2002, (online Informit) Perry, J n.d., Structured procrastination, viewed 19 April 2009, http://structuredprocrastination.com/ Student Counselling Service, 2003, ‘Procrastination and university learning’ University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, viewed 19 April 2009, http://www.tla.ed.ac.uk 17
Editor's Notes
Welcome, I am Elizabeth Partington and today I am presenting some findings around the ‘question of time’ in relation to modern day university distance learning.
Coming to university study with different life experiencesStudents are living with varying life circumstancesReasons can include – career goals, monetary, family and work commitments plus flexibility
Start – positive, eager, excitedUse of diary, weekly and term planners for study timelinesGood for me – quiet (empty house) time and 3 or 4 short study periods of 2 hours during a dayBad for me – interruptions either by phone or social callers, a period of sickness
Read
University of Edinburgh – Student Counselling Service has raised the following areas as risks for procrastination in university learning:1 Given choice as to how to spend your time – especially for distance students as no set lectures or tutorials to attend2 Don’t let lack of understanding be an excuse for procrastination3 There isn’t a teacher looking over your shoulder students are reliant on self motivation4 Due to amount of material and style of teaching – need to learn and practice new techniques to maximise the efficiency of your study time
Procrastination occurs in everyday life not just with studyEssay published on the internet so it can be OK to have professional structured procrastination? I don’t think so but if it makes you feel important access the web site for merchandise – t shirts, coffee mugs, mouse pads etcShare experiences through You tube clips on Procrastination, there are many and some entertaining and highlight how easy procrastination is – Katz20two an American college student asks for help as You tube has become a serious procrastination measure for her – keeping her from her studies.
READ
Resulting from our everyday lives and especially procrastination, which will further affect your study time is STRESS defined as
Longer term managementChange the situation byAvoid - Know your limits and remove unimportant activities eg be selective with you TV watchingAlter - Be assertive both yourself and others, try to keep to your routines, be prepare to trade/compromiseChange your reaction byAdapt - Small snippets of time to revise, don’t loose sight of your goals – pass subjects for degreeAccept - Keep positive, smile and don’t dwell on the uncontrollable and use the controllable to your advantage, talk to someone about your difficulties – friend, therapist, Uni services
READDon’t end up like the white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland – rushing around saying “I’m late, I’m late for a very important date.
Book chapter by Don Clayton where he highlights 3 management strategiesRemember sleep, diet and exercise are important, schedule study for times you are at your mental best and be aware of unproductive study time like when you are tired or distracted, your motivation and commitment is an understanding of the gap between pursuing your priorities and internal resistance like procrastination and stress. Don’t become a boring student, give yourself a social break and have a holiday between termsKnow your commitments, personal and study then assess them accordingly in importance to limit urgency leading to stress. Set your short term daily and weekly goals and review these regularly to keep your motivation up during all 12 weeks of term (mid term sag) Have your own study space, books and stationery to hand, keep clutter and distractions down. Block out time – closing my study door worked wonders to stop interruptions. If you fall behind-delegate other tasks and forfeit leisure activities for a short time and catch up. Don’t loose sight of the important deadlines.Delegation guidelines include – Acknowledgement you cannot do the task due to lack of timeRecognise someone else can do the job as well as you and let them do the job once you have delegatedKeep communication lines open to allow flexibility and avoid conflict
I started on 4 subjects this term and quickly revised to 3 and use of term 3 to fulfil my degree, ensure family involvement my husband now does the washing and has even ventured into the kitchen.Wall planner works for me as I am a visual person – will use next term and add more weekly detailDiary for daily tasks – aim to use all termMy aim is to focus on maintaining regular study times for each subject, every weekAccess to tutors and CQU staff only email or phone call away
Aim to be that smarter student as READ in other words having a sense of efficacy will lead to a better attitude and more achievement over time.Find the things that work for you and enable you to give TIME to your study – avoid procrastination and stress, know when they are occurring and have ways of dealing with themRemember to balance your activities, maintain motivation and good luck for Term Two and I will be trying hard to practice what I preach.
