Last week we launched a series of online Islamic Studies courses (for children and adults) on our website and were overwhelmed with the sheer level of interest. It’s no secret that online learning has become somewhat of a hot topic all over the world during lockdown, but here at TMI we’re all about high quality learning and support. We want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to help you get ready for when online classes start on July 1st.
Here are 5 quick and easy tips on how to master the art of seeking ilm (knowledge) online. You can use these tips as a checklist before your lesson starts.
Dedicate a space in your home for learning and look after it
Find a quiet corner in your home, whether that’s your bedroom, living room or kitchen and claim it as your dedicated learning space. Make sure those who live with you are aware of when you have your classes and politely ask them to give you some peace and quiet.
Stock your learning space with everything you need: a laptop or computer, notepads, pens, post-it notes, relevant books, chargers and audio equipment. This is your learning inventory. You don’t want to waste valuable learning time by looking for things in the middle of your lesson. Ensure you have everything to hand nearby for whenever you need it.
Make your space look and feel good. Place your favourite indoor plant on your desk, or your favourite Islamic reminders on the wall, burn some incense or light some warm lights. It’s up to you to decide what things make your space feel special and thus motivates you to keep going.
Start 30 minutes before your class
Starting early is not just about making sure that you’re on time, it’s also about giving yourself room to set your intentions. A 30-minute window before your class starts will allow you to make dua and go over relaxant course material to refresh your mind for some engaged learning. By starting earlier instead of rushing to log on a few seconds beforehand, you’ll feel more alert and able to take in more information.
Make notes whilst you learn
There is only so much information you can retain in a 2-hour class without making any notes. Remember, you’re paying for every hour of learning, so get your money’s worth by taking your notes seriously. Research has found that, for learning to be effective, students need to be doing things with the material they are engaging with (reading, writing, discussing, solving problems).
Do some further reading
Develop your understanding of each lesson by making some time to seek further resources and knowledge on the topic. This is also another way to reinforce memory retention. Don’t be afraid to ask your teacher and fellow students if they can recommend any useful websites or books to learn more.
Protect your learning time
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed sometimes by all the many roles you play in your life. Sometimes finding the time to seek knowledge can be extremely difficult. You’ve got to help yourself by protecting your learning time, and this means making a concerted effort to make sure that nothing takes the place of that time you have made for your lessons. In the sincere pursuit of knowledge, sometimes you’ve got to miss out on a lot of things such as social events, TV shows, and other dunya matters. It doesn’t mean that there will never be any time for those things, it’s just about making your studies a priority.
Remember, only you can do this for yourself. Your journey to gaining knowledge is a solo-trip and the path is paved with many distractions. Have faith in Allah, look forward and keep going.
TMI tutors are here to make this easier for you by delivering enjoyable and inspiring sessions! Book your space for the month of July here.
