Sibu Learning Centre MEI/MAY 2011 OUMH1103 Learning Skills For Open And Distance Learners

MATRICULATION NO IDENTITY CARD NO. TELEPHONE NO. E-MAIL LEARNING CENTRE

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8804195257290001 880419525729 01658527250 i_siong@hotmail.com PPT Sibu

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Learning Skills For Open And Distance Learners OUMH1103

INSTRUCTIONS Do not copy the assignment question and instructions to your answer. Prepare your assignment answer following the layout of the ASSESSMENT CRITERIA shown in the RUBRICS provided for the course. Where RUBRICS are not provided, follow the instructions/guidelines specified by the Faculty for the assignment concerned. Your assignment should be between 2000 to 2500 words EXCLUDING references. Type your answer using 12 point Times New Roman font and 1.5 line spacing. Show the number of words at the end of your assignment. Tables and figures where provided, should be appropiately titled. List your references separately in the APPENDIX page.

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Learning Skills For Open And Distance Learners OUMH1103

CONTEXT
Body of context Introduction-----------------=---------------------------------------------------------------------3 1.1 Definition distance learning and some basic challenge.---------------------------3 a)Isolation------------------------------------------------------------------------3 b) impersonal communications------------------------------------------------4 2.0Three essential skills that are important to online learners---------------------5 2.1a)Time Management-------------------------------------------------------------5 i)To be realistic-----------------------------------------------------------6 ii) Set up a Study Schedule---------------------------------------------6 iii) Make Sure Friends & Family Respect Our Schedule-----------7 2.1b) Computer Skill-----------------------------------------------------------------8 i)Reading the computer book-----------------------------------------8 iiEnroll in a computer course--------------------------------------9 iii) Embrace a variety of software-------------------------------------9 2.1c) Communications Skills ----------------------------------------------------10 i)Course or Workshop----------------------------------------------10 ii)Books---------------------------------------------------------------11 iii) Practice-----------------------------------------------------------11 3.0Conclusion--------------------------------------------------------------------12 3

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Learning Skills For Open And Distance Learners OUMH1103

4.0 )REFERENCES----------------------------------------------------------------13

Introduction
1.1 Definition distance learning and some basic challenge.
Distance learning also called e-learning , is a using electronic communication to formalized teaching and learning system and It specifically designed to be carried out remotely to study. Distance learning no same with the traditional education has difficulty operating because distance learning is not constrained by geographic considerations and is less expensive to support . Nevertheless , along with the great opportunity of distance online learning also come some challenge that are faced by online learners that are not faced by traditional learners. For the distance online learning Student, it is important to understand the challenges as well as the opportunity . The two basic challenge is a)Isolation For almost all distance online learning student characteristic is have feel somewhat isolated. They feel that they are alone in their quest because they all student no at same palce and no face to face communication speak. For example they alone studying late at night because day they have work. Studying online also can seem a lonely experience especially for those people who enjoy and are energized by social interaction.On the other hand, many distance online learning students can make new group online learning friend . Their just as class cohorts in a physical classroom can become friends and different are their online classmates become their friends.Nevertheless, we need to know the majority of e-learning students are from the personal, social contact, should be separately. So most of the time alone.

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Learning Skills For Open And Distance Learners OUMH1103

b) impersonal communications The isolation also resulted in impersonal communications because they miss the personal contact to spoken, in human communication. Although they can contact the person who e-mail and discussion groups, but miss the people who have a connection between face to face.Online communication is often lacking when they meet as usual tone of voice, facial expressions, eye contact. These are not expressed out from the font. Another, can be seen in the online learning environment is the lack of human touch, because just fail to see face to face when some body language.

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Learning Skills For Open And Distance Learners OUMH1103

2.0 Three essential skills that are important to online learners

Because of this so need to learn some essential skills for online learners. In the article written by Alan R. Roper 2007, a research successful online students identify seven tips .Beside that , in the article written by Rui Matos also research skills for online learning. In two article , we can list out 3 essential skill important online learner.

2.1aTime Management
Time management is important to online learners because effective time management skills can help students keep track of course milestones and deadlines. The ability to schedule course study time as well as time to work on projects and assignments will greatly improve a students chances of successfully completing on online course. Most students sign up for a distance education class because it allows them the flexibility to complete the course at their own pace. However, if students lack the ability to effectively manage their time they will quickly fall behind in the course which will negatively impact their performance and ability to complete the course. So online learners must need the time management skill to solve the time challenge.

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Learning Skills For Open And Distance Learners OUMH1103

2.1a.i)To be realistic Many e-learning for students that do not set the timetable for the completion of their studies is also easy to just follow the school's e-learning courses. However, the reality is that online courses just as a waste of time and because this is the same as in the traditional classroom format. So to arrange for their own time to complete all the tasks set. This may mean they need to release the schedule or to sacrifice some time to complete all set ourselves the task. But before that, they must identify priority tasks, or more important to set their own commitment to complete it, for those not important as playing PC game they must give up in order to give their time online learning.

2.1a.ii) Set up a Study Schedule As an online student, it is necessary. Because we need to prepare before face by unique challenges . This is up to you to be disciplined when it comes to effectively manage your time If there is no structured timetable to guide you . So we need to set up a study schedule and stick to it . we need make the structured timetable priority going to work or another thing at every morning . Beside that ,we also need to set aside specific times each week for devote to coursework to make sure we devote a sufficient amount of time for studies .For example , , we must think about the times of day are most likely to be able to devote our time and energy to our studies and then plan time to solve the coursework . Record the scheduled study times in calendar and honor the

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Learning Skills For Open And Distance Learners OUMH1103

appointments we have made with the same level of commitment we need to use if they were job interviews or client appointments.

2.1a.iii) Make Sure Friends & Family Respect Our Schedule We have to arrange some time for our family and friends. So. We need discuss our plans with the people in life ahead of time to prevent they'll naturally think that we're available to them when we at home. We must make it clear that we room is serving as we classroom during certain times and that friend or family will not be available for nonemergency situations while we are taking care of our online coursework. For example ,we commit to turning off our phone or not checking email scheduled study hours. Effective time management in online learning isn't the only challenge faced by students, but first things every online learner needs to do is the online learner student study time is under control. By taking these ways, we'll be on our way to laying the groundwork for success in our online learner. Facebook during our

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Learning Skills For Open And Distance Learners OUMH1103

2.1b) Computer Skill

This is one of the most important skills required for online learner. That is because most distance learner is offered using online courses and other courses use some combination of other methods along with online work . For example , basic computer skills, such as turning a computer on and off, saving files, and using word processing programs are an absolute necessity. Other computer skills necessary for online learning are: knowing how to use e-mail, how to attach files to the e-mail, use your printer, how to participate in chats, listen to audio and sometimes video presentations, how to log onto your course, how to download information, how to allow a website through your firewall and how to use the internet. So , distance learner must need computer skill because distance leaner cant do anything without the computer skill . Then , distance learner need find some way to improve the computer skill.

2.1b.i)Reading the computer book One of the best ways to improve computer skills is by reading computer books. Now , we can use internet to search for a book on a particular topic we wish to learn . Not like before, to find the book you want to go to a bookstore to look around. Result waste a lot of money and time. We can study or improve our computer skill step by step by reading the computer book .Beside that , we also can study at wed site forum . That is because forum have features like abundant interlinking, user comments, and interactive demos. Sometimes the comments are better than the original information, since they can contain lots of additional tips and suggestions 9

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Learning Skills For Open And Distance Learners OUMH1103

2.1b.iiEnroll in a computer course One of the great way to improve your computer skills, is to enroll in a computer course .On the computer course , we will learn more about computer skills that is because at the computer course is the opportunity to interact with an experienced educator. Teachers with decades of experience know plenty of educational distinctions you wont find in books or online tutorials. Beside that they know how to teach and no same the many technical writers know how to process but don know how to teach. So , take class is great way to improve it. 2.1b.iii) Embrace a variety of software we must use many different software programs (online or offline) to improve our overall ability to get things done through software and improves with breadth of experience . If we got breadth of experience ,we will easy to solve the problem when as same problem which already solved. It also saves we lot of time and makes it easier for we to justify the effort of installing new software and upgrading old software. Beside that we can learn how to protect the computer by using some software . It will improve knowledge about computer skill.

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Learning Skills For Open And Distance Learners OUMH1103

2.1 c) Communications Skills The purpose of communication is to get your message across to others clearly and unambiguously . communication only successful when both the sender and the receiver understand the same information as a result . That is important because in the process of communication can be fraught with error, with messages often misinterpreted by the recipient and that make the information message receiver are no same the information from sender. It can cause tremendous confusion, wasted effort and missed opportunity. Beside that, online learner have the communication skill can help they to communicate their thoughts and ideas effectively whether in verbal or written format . That also mean they easy study than online learner who poor the communication skill. So , communication skill is needed and important for online learner. Three great way to learn the communication skill is :-

2.1c.i)Course or Workshop In this era of e-learner, there are many community colleges and universities will provide regular courses and workshops to help people improve communication skills. This is because online students constantly increased, so some such as communication skills, ict skills course or workshop it is often available. We should cherish this opportunity to participate in those programs because they use and who is knowledgeable professionals and skilled teaching communication skills to others. This study is really to help us improve their communication skills. In addition, to participate in the course or workshop is virtually increase the lecture in front of people's confidence. This is very helpful for our future 11

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Learning Skills For Open And Distance Learners OUMH1103

2.1c.ii)Books If we are not a course or workshop type of person, or simply do not have the time or schedule that will allow this then we can buy a book about communication skill is another way to improve communication skills. Accurate for buy books that are designed to help we identify communication flaws and how to correct them so as to improve communication skills. When we have same communication skill problem we can refer the books and solve that problem. However , many people no read the book after buy the books . Then , to really improve our communication skills , we must sure we read it , complete all activities, and incorporate the recommendations into our daily conversations . 2.1c.iii) Practice Stage different scenarios and force yourself to initiate the conversation, keep it going, and to communicate what you are feeling by listening, talking, non-verbal gestures, and making eye contact. We need to force ourself to different scenarios and friends started the dialogue. Friends can be honest and point out where we need to improve communication skills, as well as our strengths and a number of different issues. So we know what to focus and can focus on areas for improvement. Of course, we need to practice many times to really grasp a better means of communication. In addition, if we really committed to learn how to improve communication skills, and can focus on each week to add new and different aspects of communication. This will communicate with them long after the best simply because practice makes perfect.

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Tiong Ing Siong 880419-52-5729

Learning Skills For Open And Distance Learners OUMH1103

3.0Conclusion
In conclusion, that three essential skills is very important for online learner. That is because the online learner need use the skills to face they online learner challenge. If no have that skill, they will be less effective on the study and online learner will hard to done they course. Therefore online learner student not only study that course and also need plan to learn that skills to success at distance learning online .

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Learning Skills For Open And Distance Learners OUMH1103

4.0 )REFERENCES
http://www.communicationtalk.com/improve-communication-skills.html2011.5 July midmarket.techtarget.com/definition/distance-learning (2011.3 July ) http://www.virtualstudent.com/html/challenges.html (2011.3 July) http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Skills-Need-For-Online-Learners/716856 (2011.4 July) Alan R. Roper (2007). How Students Develop Online Learning Skills. http://www.educause.edu/EDUCAUSE+Quarterly/EDUCAUSEQuarterlyMagazineVolu m/HowStudentsDevelopOnlineLearni/157435

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