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Singapore, 9 October 2002
Managing stress in learning |
Managing stress varies from individual to individual. There are probably as many ways of coping as there are problems that appear.
Some tips on coping with technology-induced stress, supplemented with suggestions of former users. There are a wide range of strategies which have been found to be useful, but personality will play a role in their effectiveness. We need to pick the strategies that work best for us. This feature will be based over three parts as it is simply too lengthy to discuss in a single article.
Coping strategies can be classified into two categories. These are problem–based coping and emotion-based coping.
Problem-focused coping
Basically, this involves putting in efforts to improve the environment by changing things. These include:
- Seeking information about what to do
- Holding back from impulsive actions
- Confronting the people (if any) responsible for your difficulty. (Go ahead, pin it on the instructor! But tobenefit from the experience, ask for clarification!)
Emotion-focused coping
In emotion –focused coping, thoughts or actions designed to relieve the emotional impact of stress are applied. (They don't actually alter conditions, but they make you feel better)
In order to apply this strategy, here are a few things:
- Avoid thinking about the trouble
- Deny that anything is wrong (Sometimes this works! Technology has its ups and downs)
- Distance or detach yourself by taking a break from the activity.
- Joke about what makes you feel distressed.
- Attempt to relax.
If at all possible, select problem-focused coping strategies first. Is there someone you can turn to before you get too stressed out? If the problem has to do with hardware or software difficulties, perhaps seek assistance from the company that sold it to you, or the company’s helpdesk.
Perhaps you should look at the neighborhood "techie" who may be able to lend a hand. If the problem is the result of course difficulties, seek help from the instructor, other students, or the university helpdesk. But don't suffer on your own!
Trying to figure things out on our own when we have no idea of the path to a solution often compounds the problem. It can lead to:
- impulsive activities that make the problem worse
- repetition of the same errors (rarely effective, and very frustrating)
- making unnecessary purchases (buying that new "easier" program that still requires time to learn)
Generally, emotion-focused strategies are less effective when they prevent problem-focused actions, but they may be effective in maintaining psychological well-being in the interim. It is not always possible to get immediate help for our technical difficulties, therefore a handful of strategies that we can use on our own is useful.
Adapted from Technostress and the Reference Librarian
In the next series of eblasts, we shall focus on relaxation techniques for e-learners. Look out for it!
About Informatics Group
The Informatics Group, established in 1983, is a multinational corporation providing training and educational services in information technology and business management. Through its international franchising program and strategic acquisitions, Informatics presently has a global network of more than 450 centres spanning 42 countries.
The company presently offers five franchise products: Informatics Computer School, Thames Business School, CAL Computer Training Centre, Cambridge Child Development Centre and RACC. For more information, please visit http://www.informaticsgroup.com.
About PurpleTrain.com
PurpleTrain.com is the e-learning service provider which offers a one-stop service for business and IT education programmes, corporate training courses and education-related services. By combining innovative technology with world-class training content, PurpleTrain.com offers companies and individuals a high value, quality and effective online training solution. Over 1000 online courses are available, offering PhDs, masters, degrees, diplomas and certificates in business and IT programmes. Its e-community now stands at over 55,000 users.
PurpleTrain.com is a 100%-owned venture of Informatics Holdings Limited, a leading training and education provider listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange.
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Communications & PR Manager
PurpleTrain.com
Email : pr@purpletrain.com
Website : www.purpletrain.com
www.informaticsgroup.com
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