Even before the onset of the pandemic, approximately 21% of public schools and 13% of private schools teach at least one online course. Online learning saves time and expense for many, especially those who live in remote rural areas or who work part-time while they are studying.

By 2019, some 57% of students in the US were equipped with e-learning tools. In 2021, meanwhile, the use of remote management apps for study purposes increased by 87%. Remote studying comes with its own hardships, one being the perfect setting. Without the openness of an office or university campus, learners must make crucial decisions about their surroundings that best complement their mode of learning.

Natural Light is Key

If you have more than one place you would consider setting up your study space, choose the one with the most natural light. Studies have shown that natural light can boost productivity, mood, Vitamin D levels, and eye health. If you have a garden and a covered space, you can set up your office outdoors, so long as you have outlet boxes outdoors for charging your phone or computer.

If you don’t have a permanent pergola, you can protect yourself against the sun and light rain with a simple shade sail. Your chosen spot should also be as far as possible from commonly transited areas in your home, so you have the peace and quiet you need to concentrate on study tasks.

Choosing a Small but Effective Study Space

Take a good look at your home’s layout to find a compact but comfortable workspace. Just a few spots you may not have considered include a closet in a room with natural light, the area under the stairs, and your living room. Your living room can be made more private through the use of dividers such as shelves, temporary partitions, or living ‘green walls’. If you don’t have enough space for a freestanding desk, you can use a floating desk that is either placed against the wall or built-in.

If you opt for a floating desk, leave at least 30 inches between your desk and the wall, so you have enough space for your knees. Install shelves so all your equipment is well organized and easily accessible.

Make Your Study Space Appealing

As a student, you can spend various hours a day at your desk, studying for exams and conducting research for assignments and other projects. Invest a little time and money in making your space appealing, so it feels cozy and looks attractive. Consider giving your space a fresh lick of paint, install a small sofa or comfy chair by the window and embellish it with a couple of brightly hued cushions, and bring in a few natural plants.

A study from Exeter University on the effects of indoor plants in work offices found that the correlation of plants in the office improved people’s concentration, productivity and wellbeing by 47%. During exam time, you can also battle nerves with an essential oil diffuser, opting for calming essential oils like lavender, or energizing oils like orange or bergamot, depending on your mood.

Online studying is here to stay. If you are new to e-learning, it is important to design a cozy, functional study space. Key strategies include prioritizing natural light, finding the perfect small study space, and adding appealing touches that will make the space feel like it is truly ‘yours’.

Featured image: monkeybusinessimages, iStock. 

The post Finding the Perfect Study Space at Home appeared first on eLearningInside News.

5% of the world’s population has a hearing impairment that requires a hearing aid or other rehabilitation technology – that is 34 million children and 432 million adults. It has also been estimated that by 2050, the number of people living with a disabling hearing loss that affects daily life will have gone up to 10%. Hearing impairments are often considered to be a hidden disability, and this can sometimes lead to students missing out on vital information, both in the classroom and in virtual learning settings. Speech-to-text services are one way to help hearing-impaired students, but there are plenty of ways to help students use technology, so that they have equal access to education, and are always included in class.

Reducing classroom noise

One of the biggest issues that students with hearing loss have in the classroom is filtering through the noise around them to get the information that they need. Doing this on a daily basis can be extremely tiring and often frustrating, leading to listening fatigue. Students often feel excluded from a positive learning experience, or will simply switch off. Diversity initiatives like EdTech apps are important to promote inclusiveness within the classroom and the workplace. Technology can help everyone to be involved and more engaged so that they work together better as a team. It is impossible for a classroom to be completely quiet, but students and teachers can use an app to help. Chatable (iOs and Android) is an app that reproduces one-to-one conversations but reduces background noise, chatter, music and general hubbub. This helps hearing-impaired students understand the information they need quickly and easily.

Engaging early learners

For very young children with hearing impairments, traditional classroom teaching may present a challenge. If students cannot fully hear the sounds of speech, then it can be difficult for them to replicate the sounds themselves, or understand the meaning of words in context. Using some colorful apps along with the traditional teaching methods can be a great help for early learners. The Auditory Verbal app can help students with hearing aids or cochlear implants detect the Ling 6 sounds and also test their comprehension. Sound Match is a fun online game that has been specially designed to help children with hearing loss distinguish and learn sounds, and Little Ears is another colorful app to help students with language development.

Radio aids and streamers

Radio aids are commonly used in a classroom situations. The teacher wears the transmitter – a microphone, and the student wears a receiver on their hearing aid/aids, and this helps to amplify the sound. The radio aid technology has come on enormously in the past decade, however, and now sounds can be sent directly from laptops, tablets or the television, straight to a hearing aid. Streamers also connect to commonly-used classroom tech and use Bluetooth to transfer the sound straight to a student’s hearing aids.

Using a range of apps and technology in the classroom can really help make learning an inclusive experience for students with hearing impairments. Teachers can then ensure that all students have access to the same educational materials.

Featured Image: Jonas Mohamadi, Pexels. 

The post Promoting Inclusivity for Hearing-Impaired Students Through EdTech appeared first on eLearningInside News.