Distance Education Student Primer Resources

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The resources listed on this page are an addition to the Distance Education Student Primer (pdf)

Online Communication Skills

Communication techniques online do differ from offline ones. Here, find resources for understanding common shortcuts and emoticons.

• List of common emoticons
  The IU Knowledge Base contains a list of common emoticons you can use to communicate your tone clearly.
• List of common acronyms used on the web

Research and Resources

When it comes time to engage in research for an assignment or exam, here are some resources to help you get started.

Services Relevant to IU Online Students

• Interlibrary Loan
• IUB Libraries Distance Education Services
• IUB Electronic Reserves

Online Databases

• Find information in library catalogs, article indexes, image databases, digital resources and reference materials
• How to find information in databases
• Evaluating information sources - how to determine the academic applicability of sources you find on the Internet

Information Literacy

• Basic overview of digital information literacy

Copyright and Fair Use

• Copyright Quick Guide - covers a few fundamental principles of copyright law
• Copyright Decision Map - follow the workflow to determine whether material falls under Fair Use
• Fair Use of Copyrighted Materials - straightforward discussion of what falls under Fair Use and how to determine compliance

Plagiarism

• How to Recognize Plagiarism

Attribution and Style Guides

• Indiana University Bloomington Library - How to Cite
• Online resources site for Research and Documentation in the Electronic Age, Fourth Edition, by Diana Hacker

Technology Considerations

Connection speed can become an issue when most coursework will take place online. Here's more information about internet connection speeds.

• General system and connection requirements for Oncourse CL
• About Internet Connection Speeds and Online Speed Test
• DSL vs. Cable Modem Comparison

Study Habits and Skills

Distance education often requires greater organization and self-discipline than in-person education. These resources will help you discover what kind of learner you are, and help you advance your study skills.

Know Yourself and Your Learning Style

• Learning styles explainer
• Multiple intelligences inventory
• What kind of a thinker are you?
• Understanding various learning styles

Identifying Useful Study Habits

• Learning Styles and Strategies
• SQ3R / SQ4R (Survey, Question, Read, Recite, (Recall/Relate), Review)
• The KWL Reading Method (What we Know, what we Want to know, and what we Learned)
• Study Skills & Time Management
• Ten Traps to Studying (and why you should avoid them)
• 50 Useful Mind-mapping tools for college students

Note taking

• Cornell Notetaking System or Mapping Notes

Memorization Strategies

• Memory Improvement Techniques
• Memorization Techniques

Test-taking Strategies

• Test-Taking Strategies: Before, During, and After
• Test-taking Strategies - Doing well on tests is largely a function of organizing yourself and taking a thoughtful, systematic approach to preparation. How do you prepare for exams now? What obstacles do you encounter? This module covers all phases of exam preparation, from deciding what to study, to creating a plan, carrying it out and performing well on test day.
• Writing Essay Exams

Special Student Rights & Responsibilities

While these rights and responsibilities apply to all students, these issues may be of particular interest to remote learners.

Accessibility

• Indiana University's Disability Services
• Indiana University's Adaptive Technology Centers - IUB / IUPUI
• ADA at IU

Privacy

• FERPA for parents
• Indiana University's

Security Issues

Further information about computing security issues at IU:

• Indiana University Information Security Office
• Indiana University Information Policy Office

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