One of the greatest challenges of using your computer for study is fitting in your online activities around the rest of your life. Because online time isn't timetabled and contained the way that time is for conventional classroom learning, it can sometimes be difficult to avoid interruptions from the everyday life going on around you.
Log on to forums regularly. That way you are never faced with an overwhelming number of messages to read.
Log on for short periods. Use the time in between as you go about other tasks to reflect on what you've read, and while you are offline you can think about what you'd like to contribute.
Let the people around you know you are studying when you are using your computer, so that they avoid making unnecessary interruptions.
Know where to go for help when things go wrong. Technical problems can eat into your online time, leaving you feeling frustrated and rushed. Make a note of all the places you can find help for different problems and keep it to hand. For example, the OU Computing Helpdesk is the place to contact for OU software and forum related issues; a knowledgeable friend or colleague might help with issues relating to your own computer.
Be selective about the forums you join. After an initial tour around the system, decide on your priorities, and only join forums that are a course requirement or that look as if they will be helpful to you.
Resign from marginally useful forums. Sometimes forums evolve in unexpected directions. If they are not essential to your study, cut them out.
Read messages selectively. Once you have belonged to a forum for a few weeks, you get to know the participants and you may find you can begin to identify the most useful messages for your needs.
Next: Online forums
