How to Optimize a Smartphone for Online Learning

 Online education has been around for a while and reached new heights during the pandemic.

Students and teachers had no choice but to adjust, and the change revealed how remote learning is not as bad as some might have thought.

When we think about online education, it usually involves a student and a teacher sitting in front of a computer and communicating via Zoom or another platform.

Having said that, there are ways to create a simpler setup to learn online. You can make do with as little as your smartphone and a few other things.

The purpose of this article is to cover some key aspects of optimizing your smartphone so you are more efficient and less likely to encounter technical issues while learning online.

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Install the Right Apps

Let's start with applications. If you are learning remotely, the odds are that you will have to connect to a video call.

Most video chat tools have dedicated iOS and Android applications, so that should not be a problem. On the other hand, if the learning program you enrolled in is exclusively on mobile, then you might be asked to download a specific application.

Besides the main communication app, you should also consider other useful applications, such as note-taking apps, for storing important documents and more.

Complementary apps that allow you to work extra are worth a shout. For example, if you enrolled in a language course, why not consider Duolingo or other language apps that you can use in your spare time to improve your skills?

Ensure Smooth Internet Connection

If you are learning from home, you are less likely to suffer internet problems than you would at public places like hotels or libraries.

Online education relies on a solid internet connection a lot. Ideally, you should sit near a router so that the Wi-Fi signal is the strongest it can be.

Even a single interruption can set you back, especially if it takes a while to reconnect to the video feed.

Some of the most common causes that lead to Wi-Fi issues include:

• Third-party peripherals jamming the signal
• Other devices hogging the network by downloading something
• Malware on the device

It might be worthwhile to get in touch with your internet service provider and check with them. They are more likely to see more on their end and can help you with some useful advice.

Pro tip: you can consider investing in a Wi-Fi amplifier to strengthen the signal, particularly if you have to study far away from the router.

Take the Necessary Security Precautions

Continuing with the point about internet connection, if you have to connect to public Wi-Fi, make sure to do so with a virtual private network.

Public Wi-Fi lacks the necessary security protocols and is prone to cybersecurity threats, making it a hotspot for cybercrime.

There is no need to risk exposing yourself. A VPN creates a wall between you and a potential attacker, encrypting the data. In addition, virtual private networks also let you access geo-restricted content by changing your location and IP, so it's another benefit to consider.

Other than a VPN, it is recommended to install an antivirus app that scans and warns you about potential threats. Furthermore, if you're looking for ways to save on VPN services, you can also consider utilizing offer VPN coupons, which offer discounts and promotional deals.

Lastly, to minimize the risks, avoid opening shady emails with attachments and visiting landing pages that do not look safe.

Free Up Enough Storage

According to the Backlight website, one of the key steps in ensuring that your smartphone performs optimally is to free up storage.

If you are using the device primarily for education, then the storage problems should not be that big.

At the same time, if you are not careful, the issue might snowball, leaving you with just a few megabytes of free space.

For instance, you might install too many entertainment apps, such as games, to pass the time when you are bored. Or, you might like to take pictures and record videos, but the media files, especially if they are of high quality, will require a lot of storage space.

As far as managing storage goes, there are two ways to go about it. The first is to delete as much as you can without getting rid of the necessary files. The second is to find an external storage solution.

In the first case, you might be reluctant to delete certain files, specifically personal media like photos.

For cloud storage, services like Dropbox and iCloud offer only a few gigabytes for free, so you will have to pay a monthly fee, which adds up over time.

Having said that, despite the downsides, cloud storage is still arguably the best solution, even if it costs some money. You will have a safe location to keep your files without deleting them.

Check the Battery Life

A demanding app, like one used to do a video call to listen to a lecture, will consume the smartphone's battery.

If you have an electric outlet to plug the charger in and keep the battery healthy, expect to encounter overheating, which is hardly ideal long-term.

Being in a bind like this leaves you with very little room to maneuver. You need to optimize the battery lifespan so it lasts for as long as possible.

Close background apps, get rid of bloatware, disable notifications, adjust the brightness, and take other necessary steps to

Install Missing Updates

The last bit of advice is to check whether the operating system is missing any updates. If you are not running the latest iOS or Android version, you should see a notification in the settings informing you about a new available update.

Downloading and installing an update might take a while, but it is a must considering how most updates introduce new features as well as performance and security improvements.

Conclusion

To sum it all up, there are a fair few ways to optimize your smartphone for online learning. The tips mentioned in this article are relatively basic, but they are effective nonetheless

Try to make the most out of the information provided, and you should have next to no problems studying on your smartphone.