Studying on-line.

When you join the programme you will be given access to a study guide with specific information about your course. The following are general points to help you study on-line successfully.

Step 1

Set up your learning environment.

Note : If you are a beginner, the details in Step 1 may appear to be very technical and confusing but it is really quite logical and part of the skills and knowledge you are seeking to acquire through studying on the course.

If you have reached this page then you already have access to an Internet account and a working knowledge of the Internet. These are essential for studying on-line.

Ensure that you are using either MS Internet Explorer 4.0 or Netscape Navigator v.4.

Earlier versions of these web browsers are not Java-enabled and may have problems reading CGI scripting.

Each course may have slightly different requirements however in general, your PC should have the following minimum hardware and software facilities :-

1. Windows 95 or Windows NT operating system

2. Any Internet browser (Netscape 4.0 or Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 and above) that is Java-enabled. Earlier versions of these browsers may have problems reading Java and CGI scripting.

3. A multimedia Pentium Personal Computer (Optional : Sound Card, MPEG Media Software Player for playing Video CD-ROM)

4. Modem speed of 56kbs

Here are some technical configurations that the students should take note of:-

Java-enabled Web Browser

Internet Explorer

1. From the Tools menu, select the sub-menu Internet Options

2. Under the Advanced section, check the "Java JIT compiler enabled".

3. Under the Advanced section, check the "Java JIT console enabled".

4. Press Apply and then OK to update the settings.

Netscape Navigator

1. Select Edit then Preferences

2. Under Advanced, enable and select "Enable Java" and "Enable JavaScript".

3. Press OK to update the settings.

Cache Settings

The cache settings must be set to update for every visit to the web page under the Internet Options of the Browser Menu.

A cache is where the computer stores information about every web site accessed. Instead of going to the web site to download the page, the computer checks if the page is available in its memory. If it is available the cache copy is displayed unless otherwise specified by the user in the browser settings.

This can cause problems because you would not see any changes or updates made to the pages if the browser displays the old version of the stored page. Set the browser settings to clear the cache for every access of the page.

Internet Explorer – Cache Setting

1. From the Tools menu, select the sub-menu Internet Options.

2. Under the General section, select the Settings under the Temporary Internet Files.

3. Check the Every visit to the page and press OK.

4. Press OK to update the settings.

Netscape Navigator – Cache Setting

1. Select Edit then Preferences.

2. Under Category expand Advanced by clicking on the +, select Cache

3. Check Every time in the section where it asks about comparing the cached document to the network document.

Company Firewalls

If you are accessing the web and WebCT from the office, you may run into problems with your company's network firewall security system. If you have persistent difficulty logging in, contact your IT staff and discuss the issue with them. Clear your plans with your IT staff before starting the process.

Step 2

Participate in online orientation.

To make sure that you are comfortable using the eCampus and to help you become familiar with how to do everything, an Orientation Chat Session will be held for each student intake. This is usually scheduled on the starting date of your first module.

Your Course Facilitator will email a welcome letter to you, informing you of the time and date of this first online forum.

Step 3

Navigate through your virtual campus.

The eCampus home page is your starting point for each online session. Download your Student's User Manual and learn how to use the features in the virtual classroom.

Step 4

Learn & Interact Through Emails, Chats & Online Discussions.

In a similar way to a classroom-based environment, your online course is led by a Course Facilitator and as with most academic programmes, each module has a start date and a finish date. In between those dates, coursework and assignment schedules are determined by each facilitator.

Online students still maintain a high degree of personal contact with each other. You will not only communicate directly with the facilitator, you will also be involved with everyone in the class or in smaller groups through projects, assignments and discussions.

In a discussion group, students and facilitators post and read messages to each other on different subjects. This is similar to a dialogue but it is not face-to-face and as you participate you will become more comfortable with this method of communication. Each student can log onto the system to collect course information at any time or place, whenever it is convenient. In this way there is constant feedback and interaction, but you do not have to be online at set times of the day.

The facilitator / instructor will also schedule simultaneous, or real-time, instructional sessions which are like having a ‘live’ discussion with his class. This is a time where active participation is required from student, to voice opinions, gather information or gain immediate clarification on a subject. These instructor / student conferences are recorded word for word in chat logs and students can refer to them at a later date to revise work or catch up with what has been missed.

Through these collaborative technologies, online learners are able to enjoy the benefits of group learning plus the flexibility of individual learning.

Step 5

Manage Your eLearning Experience

There is an eLearning Executive, dedicated to tracking each student’s progress on the online course. Information such as the following is provided as feedback to students individually on a regular / monthly basis to help them evaluate where they stand in comparison with other online learners :

No. of pages read + group average

Date of last access

Average time spent per access

Such information is designed to empower students to manage their eLearning experience more positively and create a better learning environment.

Step 6

Take full advantage of online facilities.

It is extremely important to do whatever you can to avoid feeling isolated and participating in online conferences will give you access to other students who are taking the same course at the same time. Contribute your ideas and comments on the subject you are studying, and read the comments from your classmates. Your instructor is not the only source of information. You can learn from your peers and they can learn from you too.

Step 7

Take the program and yourself seriously.

Obtain the support of your colleagues, family and friends before you start out on your online adventure. This support system will help you tremendously as there will be times when you will have to sit at your computer for fairly long periods and it will help to have people who understand and respect what you are trying to achieve.

Step 8

Make sure you have a private space where you can study.

It is important to have a quiet space where you can work in peace.

Step 9

Try to log on to your course every day.

Once you get into the online conferencing system, you will be eager to see who has commented on your postings and read the feedback of your instructor and peers. You will also be curious to see who has posted something new that you can comment on. If you let too many days go by without logging on to your course discussion group, you may fall behind.

Step 10

Identify if you are having problems.

Since your facilitator cannot see you, you must be absolutely clear with your comments and requests. If you are having technical difficulties, or problems in understanding something about the course, you MUST identify these otherwise there is no way that your facilitator will know. Also, if you don’t understand one of the concepts, the chances are that several other people have the same problem. By commenting you will help each other out and you will reinforce your own knowledge about the subject.

Step 11

Apply what you learn.

Practice and apply everything you learn as soon as possible after you learn it as this will help you to remember it more clearly. Also, try to make connections between what you are learning and what you do or will do in your job.

Key Advantages of eLearning or studying on-line

• There is no need to waste time travelling to classroom lectures.

• You can network and have discussions with lecturers and students located around the world.

• You have the advantage of a flexible study schedule to suit your own needs.

• Study is self-paced. It allows you the discretion to review topics or speed them up in line with your understanding.

• Immediate feedback on learning progress is provided privately for self-evaluation.

• There is consistent quality in the delivery of the course which does not vary from instructor to instructor.

• You are given the same curriculum coverage, reference materials, study guides and recognition as traditional classroom-based courses.

• On-line study exposes you to the richness of group-learning.

• On-line study encourages you to be more inquisitive, innovative and widens your access to new collaborative technologies, keeping you up-to-date with computer technology.

• There is an on-line Evaluation Form at the end of each term for you to give immediate feedback on the programme.