Table of Contents

1.5 Internet Savvy Study Tips for Online learners

2.Smart Study Strategies 3.6 Sure Ways to Get Your Degree Faster 4.Textbook Guts 5.5 Study Secrets

5 Internet Savvy Study Tips for Online learners

Introduction Internet has made a borderless community making it possible for us gather and get the latest information regardless of where we are around the world so as learning. The introduction of Internet has made it possible for us to acquire distance at the click of a mouse. The good old days when your lecturer or professors are there standing has become history and a thing of the past. The internet has made it possible for you to discuss and meet your course mates online whom you might never met before. Though this sound so simple, online learning has its uniqueness and challenges. There are time when stumble upon an obstacle but have no fear as you could try the following Internet Savvy Study tips to utilise it for your own good.

1. Keep a record of Wikipedia entries Keep a record of Wkipedia and make it available offline as this is extremely important. Read it at your own free time. Always prepare before hand and read topic related to your course but bear in mind that Wikipedia is user-edited and it might contains errors. Since it user-edited you add relevant information to be share with users in the future. Once you are sure that it is error free, you can read and record in for the spoken Wikipedia project on the offsite link. Reading aloud helps you to internalise the information better.

2. Join discussion group. Virtual study group or discussion is gaining popularity not only with online learners but among full time or on campus students. It allows to discuss with people from every nook and corner of the world. As the saying goes, the more the merrier. There are thousand of such group available on Yahoo and Google particularly on every topic or you may consider setting one of your own. Invite your course mates to join and people sharing the interest. This helps you to obtain answers to your questions and at the same time to maintain your enthusiasm.

3. Post your notes online. Posting your notes online allows you to share the information with others and this could be very useful for others to do their assignments. It helps you to be cautious in presenting your ideas and verify the sources as well as making it comprehensible. Since most posting are subjected to comments from readers you are sure to receives constructive comments that is useful in giving the insight of academic writing. You may try these websites stu.dicio.us, Web Note or Jot Cloud.

4. Create online flash card If you are the type who like to use flash in your study why dont you do so. The websites like Flash Card Maker, The Amazing Flash Card Machine or Flash Card Exchange. These websites allows you to exchange or create you own flash card and forget about the index cards. Flash cards are useful when it comes to memorise terminologies and definitions.

5. Broadcast a podcast Having and knowing how to use the Information and Communication Technology gadgets is beneficial to you. You could create a weekly or monthly podcast of what you have learnt does not only beneficial to you but other students are also getting the benefit. Using such gadgets could be fun and allows you to explore something. To enable manipulating technically advance technology you can visit this website; About.com podcasting site.

Closure These four study skills tips help you utilise the Internet technology for your own good but at the same allow other people to access you production and possibly stimulate your enthusiasm. Learning is about sharing, by sharing you will be able to help people and making learning more interesting. New skills and technique can enhance your understanding and retaining your motivation.

Sources

Jamie Littlefield, About.com Guide

http://distancelearn.about.com/od/studyskills/a/StudyOnline.htm

Smart Study Strategies

Introduction Each and everyone of are different in one or the other when it comes to learning. Some people good at one particular subject and may be weak in the other. Some are good in making friend but might be weak in their ability to understand their own feeling. Some are born multi-talent seem to be good in everything they do. To know ability to possibly can help identify the suitable study skills that suite your needs. Howard Gradners theory of intelligence identified 7 types of intelligence and how it help learners to learn better.
Types of Intelligences Word Smart (Linguistic Intelligence) Features/Characteristics
-

Suitable Study Skills

-

Smart in the field of linguistic or

Make and use flash cards Taking notes Journal writing of what has

something related to words, letters and phrases.

-

Enjoy activities like reading, playing

been learn.

scrabble, crosswords puzzle or debating.

Types of Intelligences Number Smart (LogicalMathematical Intelligence)

Features / Characteristics - Good in mathematics or equation

-

Suitable Study Skills

-

Turn your notes into numbers, graph and

Enjoy problem solving especially

charts
-

related to number
-

Romanised Number as an outline is

Love to solve logical questions

beneficial
-

Use classification and category to

enhance understanding Picture Smart (Spatial Intelligence)

-

Good at arts and designs Use pictures and cartoons to

Sketch and draw picture to enhance

understanding
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demonstrate what is learnt

-

Use picture cards to depict concepts

Creative and enjoy movies or an

and vocabularies
-

outing to art museum

Draw chart and graphic organisers to

explain concepts or ideas

Types of Intelligence Body Smart (Kinesthetic Intelligence)

Features / Characteristics

Suitable Stud Skills

Loves to do handicrafts Enjoy doing physical works like exercise

Use your imagination to visualise a

concept
-

and sports
-

Use real life examples Interactive computer software will help

Prefer outdoor and extreme outdoor

activity Music Smart (Musical Intelligence)

-

in your creativity
-

Love the rhythm and beats of music Enjoy listening to music and concerts Like to create music and composing

Turn concepts and terminologies in rhyme

and song
-

Study with soft background music like

songs

instrumental or classical music

-

Relate words, concepts or vocabulary to

beat, sound and music to make you remember better

Types of Intelligence People Smart (Interpersonal Intelligence)

Features / Characteristics
-

Suitable Study Skills

-

Enjoy companionship and meeting

Bring forward what you learn and talk about

people
-

with people you know

-

Able to keep good relationship and

Create or participate in group discussion Have quiz and discussion before exam or

are friendly
-

Enjoy parties and visiting friends or

test

relatives

Self Smart (Intrapersonal Intelligence)

Enjoy being alone Keep things to themselves and

Write personal journal to reflect what has

been learnt
-

doing self reflection

-

Find a silent and comfortable place to study Put full effort in what you are doing like

Like to questions themselves

assignments as you prefer doing things alone

Sources Jamie Littlefield, About.com Guide

http://distancelearn.about.com/od/studyskills/a/studysmart.htm

6 Sure Ways to Get Your Degree Faster

Introduction Advancement of technology has allow people to study and work at the same time. Distance or online learning has allowed many working adult to further study without leaving the comfort of their home while continuing their career without losing seniority. It is very convenient and taking up short period of time. The earlier you get your degree the better chances of you getting higher pay and more opportunity you have to get a better job. Time and tides wait for no man and why should go on a detour when you have the short cut? You are not Speedy Gonzales but these six tips could earn you a degree in the shortest possible time.

1. Have a plan. Work out your plan. The first you should do is check the minimum requirement needed for graduation. In most cases students relied heavily on the university to plan everything for them.

Keeping in touch with your academic advisor will keep you on track besides you can he / she can help you to plan your study. With his or her help you then personalised you own schedule and avoid taking unrelated paper to you field of study.

2. Insist on Credits Transfer Ask for credits transfer for papers you have taken in college before. Do not let your effort go unnoticed as that is a waste. Find out from your university on their policy on credit transfer. Most if not all university will review credit transfer for every semester. Write a petition as to why you needed credit transfer with supporting details from your previous college and the course handbook as to why credit transfer is possible. The chances of getting a credit transfer for courses that are equivalent is largely depending on how effective you support your claims.

3. Take the Test. The only way to prove that had comprehended certain subject matter is through testing. Use every opportunity to test your knowledge and once you get through you are bound to have an immediate credit transfer. Most colleges or universities offer College Level Examination Programmes (CLEP) in various subjects for college or university transfer. Testing could be expensive but compared to the fee charged for taking the paper for the whole semester is more economical.

4. Skip the Minor Paper Every college and university have they own policy about the minor paper. Make an effort to find if you can skip if not at least one or two minor paper unless it is significantly important or related to your field of study. By doing so your are not only save money but reducing the taken for the entire course of study.

Time is money so why bothered taken unnecessary paper when nobody is interested to know your minor paper once you graduated from colleges or universities. Getting of the unrelated paper will ultimately benefit you money and time.

5. Keep a Portfolio of What You Have Done. Certain colleges or university and faculty value your experience which you can trade in for extra credit transfers. The portfolio is meant to prove that you have acquired certain skills and knowledge especially related to your field of study. These could come in the form of volunteerism, social work, previous working experience, community participation, accomplishment, award, etc. You may talk to your advisor about this if you are unsure.

6. Double your Effort. Some colleges and universities give college or university credits to students who are holding certain position in the university or doing practical work related to their field of study. Since you have to work why dont you make use such an opportunity for your own good besides the extra pocket if it is a paid job. To find out about this, contact your school or faculty counsellor. If that can be made possible and you can get extra credit transfer, you are sure to finish you degree programme much earlier than you had expected.

Sources Jamie Littlefield, About.com Guide

http://distancelearn.about.com/od/managingyourwork/a/FastDegree.htm

TEXTBOOK GUTS
Know you Textbook Organisation.
Introduction Most students do not understand the textbook organisation and they end to read what is required of them, they just read related topic to their course of study. Actually textbook are arranged in such a way that it will helps you to understand the subject matters better. In the end they keep on wondering and searching high and low for the answers to their thus making them worried about he outcome of their test, assignment or projects. To make you life easier, here are some of the tips you could possibly follow:

a) Beginning of the textbook.

1. Table of contents. This part contents the list of chapter and topic found within each chapter. It give general ideas of the book organisation and it help you to make early judgement of the book. If it is related or relevant to your field of study than buy or borrow it.

2. Using your textbook List or Table of Contents is sometimes not available but if it does it is a bonus for you since it could be of great help. Looking through the list allows you to go directly for what you are looking. Table of contents is like walking stick to the blind as it guides you to better understand the book layout or to locate your needs.

b) The Chapter in the textbook. 1. Objectives Different writer uses different layout on heir book. Some will list down the overall ojectives for the whole textbook at the beginning of the textbook while others will list it according to chapter. Regardless of the objectives is found they are bound to help in determining the relevancy to your study. This helps you to prepare for tests or assignments.

2. Vocabulary list. As mentioned earlier some writers were very kind that they attribute a page or more for the list of vocabulary words especially terminologies and jargons which they think will be very helpful to the students. New words or jargon are either printed in bold or italic to show that it has special or an uncommon meaning(s). There are instances where the writer will place a box at the margins of the page with explanation or if they don,t make an effort to use your own dictionary to locate the appropriate.

3. Study questions The questions given in the textbook are meant for you know the focus or man point of the chapter. Often than not these questions are placed at the end of the chapter. Read through the questions actually help you to focus on what information you are up to. After reading the chapter make an effort to answer the question as it could be relevant to your test.

4. Chapter review Some textbooks have chapter review which is extremely important for students to read and understand. It helps to remind you the important details related to the chapter and can even go to the extent that it give you extra information or examples. It does help to enhance your memory as well as to sharpen your skills.

c) End of the textbook. 1. Glossary The textbooks usually contain the Glossary especially pertaining to the content of the book. Glossary list usually demonstrates to you the meaning or meaning and definition of vocabulary words.

2. Index The index page give you the list of key words. As a student the index like the search engine on the Net. Knowing where the key words have been used allows you to locate the information required to answer you question.

Sources

Jamie Littlefield, About.com Guide http://distancelearn.about.com/od/studyskills/a/textbookguts.htm

3. Solutions or answers. Most textbooks have this section to allow students to check their answers. Some students might take the easy way out copying the answer to every questions before attempting to give it a try. This is cheating and you are not learning. The questions given are meant for self-testing purposes and by doing you are beating the purpose of the questions.

4. Maps, charts, tables, etc. This section acts as a supplementary section to enable you to understand and remember information in the book better. Check the textbook be purchasing them. This section is not mandatory for every textbook but it would be something little extra.

5 Study Secrets
Tips and Tricks to Help You Pass Your Exams
Introduction. Most students if given a choice would not sit for any exam but like or not test is parts and parcel of learning process. The moment they hear the word Test they are sure to experience the adrenalin rush through their body. They fear they did not remember details learnt and worrying about outcome of the test. Regardless of whether you are learning from the cozy sofa in your home or a traditional college or varsity it is undeniable that test has some effects upon you. Worry no more! Try these successful tips and tricks. You will be surprised how much it can helps you to prepare for exam.

1. Study your textbook or workbook before you read. Spend a few minutes to study your textbook. Locate the glossary section, vocabulary section, the index page, study questions and other related information. Read the chapters questions before you proceed to reading. It helps you focus on the relevant information and these questions are hints on what is required of you in the exam.

2. Attack you textbook with sticky notes. While reading your textbook write down the summary briefly of each section on sticky notes. After reading the chapter, review all the summary. Reading through the sticky is a fast way to revise and identifying the required information. This will come in hand when you do your revision for an exam in the future.

3. Use graphic organizer. As you read your textbook try to visualise how you simplify the content of each paragraph. Come up with a graphic organiser and fill in the information as you progress. It is an ideal tool to record information and suitable for your revision before taking a test. Other than that a graphic organiser can be used to record important terminologies, ideas, notes and summaries. There are some sample which you can download from the website, Jim Burkes website.

4. Make your practice notes. Writing your own allows you to test what you have learnt from each chapter. Imagine you were test writer, what possible questions would you asked your students to answer. Make your test as comprehensive as possible covering the whole chapter. Include every bits and pieces of information pertaining to the chapter. Test your ability to remember and comprehend each chapter. In this way you will be able know where you stand and execute a better study strategies.

5. Create visual flashcards You be saying using flashcards an outdated study strategy or only suitable for young school going children but mind you some college or varsity students find it useful. Create your own and draw pictures to depict the intended purpose of the cards. Taking for example a jargon used by doctors stool. Have a picture of the a stool on one side of the card and the meaning on the opposite side . Use it to test your memory so that you will have some ideas as to how much you have learnt.

Sources Jamie Littlefield, About.com Guide 1. http://distancelearn.about.com/od/studyskills/a/testtakingtips.htm 2. http://distancelearn.about.com/od/studyskills/a/testtakingtips_2.htm 3. http://distancelearn.about.com/od/studyskills/a/testtakingtips_3.htm 4. http://distancelearn.about.com/od/studyskills/a/testtakingtips_4.htm 5. http://distancelearn.about.com/od/studyskills/a/testtakingtips_5.htm