Studies show that more and more surgeons and medical practitioners are switching to online video learning. This is primarily due to the benefits of flexibility, cost-saving, and variety it offers. Although online and traditional education are quite different from each other, they do share some similarities.
A major one is that just like the traditional approach to learning; online learning also demands some level of preparation. In this post, you’ll discover 5 essential things you’ll need to do to maximize the benefits of online video learning.
#1. Choose The Right Learning Platform
The first tip to maximizing learning online from general surgery videos is choosing the right learning platform. Some medical practitioners opt for YouTube since it has a very diverse catalogue. However, the problem here is basically anyone can upload anything there.
This makes it quite challenging to sort out genuine medical information from cooked-up ones. That said, there are also several other platforms where you can find general surgery videos online. So, you don’t actually have to stick to combing through YouTube.
Whichever video learning platform you eventually go for, just make sure it’s one dedicated to offering expert-reviewed medical content. This way, you can be sure whatever knowledge you’re consuming is genuine.
#2. Set Clear Learning Objectives
Some medical practitioners just go to their video learning platform and randomly browse through titles. However, it has to be said that this isn’t really the best way to maximize learning online from general surgery videos. There are so many general surgery videos online, so with this approach, you’ll have problems choosing what you actually want.
A better way to do this is to establish clear learning objectives. Begin by asking yourself what specific skills or knowledge you want to gain from these videos. Are you looking to understand a particular surgical technique, or are you aiming to get a broader overview of general surgery procedures?
Once you’ve figured out what you want, you can now go ahead and simply locate the videos you need. This way, you can remain focused and easily shut out various online distractions.
#3. Have Dedicated Study Time
Studies have shown that one of the major reasons people struggle with learning online is because of poor time management. Interestingly, this “poor time management” starts with not having scheduled learning periods.
Here’s the thing: just like you have scheduled lecture times in traditional learning, you’ll also need the same when learning online. It’s a lot easier to maintain your learning streak when you have set a time for it.
As a surgeon, there’s no doubt that you’re often busy. However, it’s still very possible for you to create time that you want to devote to learning.
#4. Get Rid of Distractions
Another excellent tip for maximizing learning from online general surgery videos is eliminating distractions. The digital realm is rife with distractions. To maximize learning from online general surgery videos, it’s essential to create an environment that fosters concentration. This means finding a quiet, comfortable space where interruptions are minimized.
If you’re at home, consider setting up a room away from your television or Xbox. Also, you will need to inform people around you about your study schedule so they don’t keep interrupting you.
#5. Practice Active Watching
It’s easy to open up a general surgery video before you and then zone out while the lecture is ongoing. Unfortunately, this passive-watching style will only serve to limit what information you can gain from these videos. This is why active watching is so important.
What this entails is that as you watch, pause frequently to take notes or draw diagrams. Also, you may want to jot down any questions you have while watching. All of these will help you reinforce what you have learned and encourage deeper processing.
Conclusion
Online learning offers lots of advantages over its traditional counterpart. However, there are still things to prepare and to keep in mind to make the most of all that it offers. By engaging the above tips, you’ll be able to transform your online learning experience fully.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
