Study methods for online courses: what to do instead of rereading

The first question is how you will check that you remember the material, not how many lessons you have watched. If your current method is rereading notes or replaying videos, start with the guide on highlighting and rereading, which explains what to do instead.

Next, use the retrieval practice guide to turn your existing course notes into recall sessions with feedback. If you are still choosing a course, read the text-based versus video comparison to match the format to how you study before you commit.

Guides and explainers

Study methods6 min read

Turn course notes into a recall-and-feedback session

Turn course notes into questions, check recalled answers and use mistakes to plan the next practice session.

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Study methods6 min read

Highlighting and rereading course notes: what to do instead

How a major review of ten study techniques rated highlighting, rereading and summarizing, and a swap list for each habit in an online course.

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Study methods8 min read

Text-based vs video coding courses: which format fits how you learn?

What research on video engagement and practice testing says about reading-plus-sandbox courses versus video lectures, plus a checklist and a one-week trial to test both.

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Study methods8 min read

Watching lectures at 1.5x or 2x: what research says about speed and retention

What three peer-reviewed studies found about watching lecture videos at 1.5x and 2x, where the evidence is thin, when to slow down, and how many hours each speed saves on a 40-hour course.

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Study methods9 min read

Learning science glossary: retrieval practice, spacing, interleaving and desirable difficulties

Plain-language definitions of 21 learning science terms, from desirable difficulties to storage strength, each with its research source and a one-line way to use it in an online course.

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Study methods9 min read

AI tutors inside online courses: how Coursera Coach and Educative's AI features work

What Coursera Coach and Educative's AI Tutor, Ask, code and quiz feedback do according to official pages, what those pages leave unclear about plans and data, and a routine for using them as retrieval practice rather than an answer machine.

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Study methods9 min read

Using ChatGPT on course assignments: honor code and AI rules by platform

A cited table of what Coursera, edX, Alison and CompTIA say about AI tools, own work and answer sharing, the consequences each lists, and an allowed and not-allowed checklist.

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