In the past couple of years, a major shift can be seen in the education sector as many study institutes are adopting remote learning.
Students get the flexibility to enroll in their preferred courses from anywhere. This saves the commuting time and gives them more time to understand the concepts.
If you, too, are planning to enroll in an online course, you must be equipped with the latest gear, such as a laptop to attend online study sessions, a tablet to read books, as well as a smartphone to get updates and notifications about your study program.
Computing Gear
While most students prefer laptops for attending classes, others may find a desktop an ideal option. Regardless of the device you select, it’s important to ensure that your computer can handle all the workload in a seamless manner.
Let’s say you are a fine arts or graphic designing student; if so, you should know what apps you are working on during your course.
For example, ask your teachers what apps do I need for my artwork specifically. If you are familiar with a specific app but recently switched to a new device, it might take a while to find the answer.
Or, asking, can you use Procreate on MacBook leaves you with a NO, meaning that you have to find an alternative application as a Mac owner and user.
Networking Equipment
At present, there’s no standard form for implementing remote education. As a remote student, you must be enrolled in different subjects or modules. Some of the lecturers may be using an email-only approach for correspondence, while others are considering livestream lectures or posting assignment work online.
For complex subjects, teachers might be adopting a hybrid model where you are required to attend online sessions as well as in-classroom lectures.
Whatever mode your teachers choose to deliver lectures, you would need a laptop and a reliable internet connection. Buy the latest modem and router models so that you get a faster speed and better coverage on multiple devices. If you already have this equipment, you are all good to go.
Teleconferencing Hardware
Remote classes often need more than just a laptop and the internet. Sometimes you need to attend the live sessions or webinars conducted in your college’s vicinity. For this, you would need a webcam, as the built-in one might not give you the quality you need.
Even though webcams, speakers, and microphones are not necessarily required for all remote education programs, it’s good to have them. That way, you can quickly connect this equipment to your computer in case the need arises.
The market has flourished with a variety of external webcams, BlueTooth speakers, and microphones. Before you invest in any of these hardware, make sure it’s compatible with your laptop or desktop computer.
Security Apps
When you are attending your classes online, the security of your personal information is something you should consider the most. You must have all security standards in place to protect your data and device from unauthorized access.
As a remote student, you must be receiving a lot of emails that include links and attachments. Make sure you know the origin of emails and from where you are getting them. Only click on the links or open attachments after verifying the sender’s identity.
Sometimes, the links inside the emails are phishing attempts from unauthorized people trying to gain access to your personal data. Also, download an antivirus app and scan your computer regularly to detect and nosedive any security attacks.
Specialized Tools
By having the best laptop, security apps, webcam, router, and connecting cables in place, you should be prepared to handle whatever learning challenges come your way. This equipment accomplishes your remote learning setup.
However, there are specialized apps that you might need to complete the coursework. You should have the list of these apps available in your course prospectus. Based on your study program and the year of enrollment, these apps may vary, so keep a regular check.
For example, if you are learning digital marketing, you might need access to Semrush, Google Analytics, HootSuite, Mailchimp, and similar tools. In most cases, the study institute gives you access to online accounts on these platforms.
The Conclusion
Your standard remote learning requirements aren’t massive; most students already have most of this equipment already available. Before you invest in buying any of the above-mentioned gears, make sure to determine the hardware and software specifications related to your coursework.
Some courses often require you to store large PDFs, while others may need downloading and working on high-end applications. Make sure your computer’s hardware specifications support the software needs of your study program. Hopefully, this guide will help you prepare for your remote learning program and accomplish it successfully.
