Now that you have decided …

1. Now that you have decided … the next question: “How?”

2. Outline of Presentation • Revisit the WOU’s ODL Model • Importance of Self-Study • Time Management • Preparing for Tutorials • Preparing for Examinations • Motivate Self to Study • Preparing TMAs

3. The WOU’s ODL Model Course Materials Assessments & Exams Tutorials YOU Distance Learner WawasanLearn Other Learners Digital Library Regional Centre Support

4. WOU’s ODL Model • A Different Approach to Learning • You Take Control of Your Own Learning • A New Set of Study Skills • Change in Life-Style

5. LEARNING ACTIVITIES For A Typical Course: Time Allocated for Tutorial : 10/148  6.75% TMAs Preparation : 18/148  12.16% Self-study * : 120/148  81.08%

6. Types of Learning Support provided by WOU

7. Self-Study(80% of total time) Learning takes place through: • Interactive Course Materials: -exercises & activities - further reading - self-test (CMAs, Quizzes) - audio & video materials • WOU Digital Library • Study/Discussion groups with peers • WawasanLearn (LMS) • Preparation of TMAs

8. … Self-Study How Much Time Do You Need for Self-Study? • For 1 course, you will require to devote ±150 hours for self-study • 150hr/19weeks = ±8 hours per week • For 2 courses, ±16 hours per week • For 3 courses, ±24 hours per week • For 4 courses, ±32 hours per week • this works out to be ±6 hours per day!!! (or ±4.5 hrs/day including Saturday & Sunday) Remember: You have a FULL-TIME job as well

9. How are you going to find the time for self-study?

10. Experience of Students from S1 and S2 • Many WOU S1 & S2 students have registered for 3 courses per semester. • Most of them have performed satisfactorily. Majority • are highly motivated • persevere with determination • practise proper time and stress management • use effective study skills

11. To undertake Self-Study Successfully • Set Realistic and Achievable Goal • Adopt Effective Learning Styles & Strategies • Practise Effective Time Management – balance between studying and work, family and other obligations  some sacrifices will have to be made.

12. Time Management Juggling various responsibilities and commitments Family Study Work Entertainment Social You will have to prioritize  Some of the ‘less important’ activities will have to be sacrificed

13. Time Management Tips • Set Targets - Know what you want to achieve in a week or day • Prioritise - Identify which tasks are most important and need to be done first and which ones can be done later • Scheduling - Make schedule for your study, social activities, exercises, …

14. Time Management Tips • Avoid Procrastination - Stick to your schedule, try not to postpone - spend about 1-2 hours per day (5 days) per course for self-study • Know when you are most effective - Use the times when you have the most energy to do tasks that are more demanding, e.g. study • Use spare minutes • Use your waiting time for making and reading short notes

15. Preparing for Tutorials(1 of 3) • Understand the purpose of the tutorials • Understand the role of the tutors • Understand your role as an ODL student and how to derive maximum benefits from the tutorials • Be well-prepared before the classes in order to participate actively during discussions, presentations – sharing and reinforce learning • Follow-up after each tutorial

16. Preparing for Tutorials(2 of 3) Purposes of Tutorials • Exchange ideas with tutors and fellow students • Clarify concepts/facts/TMA questions … • Submit and collect TMAs • Get feedback on previous TMAs Reminder: • Facilitation & discussion, NOT lecture • Limited hours:Not all queries/doubts can be clarified use WawasanLearn & other learning support services

17. WawasanLearn (LMS) • virtual discussion/study groups with peers • additional reading materials posted by CC and tutors • participate in e-forums • self-assessed questions & quizzes • check for latest updates • contact tutors

18. Preparing for Assessments Final Examination: Before exam: • Study regularly throughout the semester • Stick to a revision time table • Apply proven review/revision techniques • Use specimen and past exam papers • Look after your health

19. Motivate Yourself to Study 1. Have a conducive environment to study. 2. Break down the bigger tasks into achievable bits. 3. Set realistic learning goals. 4. Have incentives – reward yourself upon completion of a task. 5. Be positive.

20. Motivate Yourself to Study • Learn actively. • Relax and exercise regularly. • Have group discussions. • 9. Have the support and understanding of your loved ones in this endeavour. You need their moral support!

21. TMAs • TMAs = Course Work to demonstrate your understanding of the course materials. Thus it is your own work. • In the forms of essays, problem solving, case studies, projects or research reports • 3 TMAs : 50% of your total assessment  contributes significantly to your overall grade. • Adhere strictly to deadline for submission plan and manage your time seek prior approval for late submission

22. Select a topic Analyze the topic Submit on time Review assignment Search for Info Write the paper Select resources Take Notes Organize & Consolidate Plan Outline …Preparing TMA 10 fundamentals in presenting a good written assignment:

23. TACKLING ESSAY TYPE QUESTIONS

24. Five-step Approach: 1. Analyze Topic 2. Identify the Sources 3. Apply Search Strategies 4. Select & Evaluate Info 5. Present the Information

25. Step: 1 – Analyze topic: Identify Keywords All academic institutions such as schools, colleges and universities have a social responsibility to practise, promote and teach academic honesty and integrity among its staff and students. Everyone, especially the country and the world as a whole, stands to gain from any successful implementation of good moral values. Discuss the above statement in no less than 500 words. Instructional Word ‘Discuss’ ? What are you expected to include in your essay?

26. Instructional Words

27. … Instructional Words Source: Baker, C & Vermeer, R (2007) Writing Better Essays, OUHK Press

28. Social Responsibility Integrity Academic Honesty Good Moral Values Step: 1 – Analyze topic: Identify Keywords All academic institutions such as schools, colleges and universities have a social responsibility to practise, promote and teach academic honesty and integrity among its staff and students. Everyone, especially the country and the world as a whole, stands to gain from any successful implementation of good moral values. Discuss the above statement in no less than 500 words. Keywords Practise, Promote, Teach

29. Step: 2 – Identify the Sources Primary Sources Secondary Sources • Books • Interview • Journals • Questionnaires • Periodicals • Observation • Chat • Digital Collection • Internet • Newspapers

30. Understand & Analyse the topic Develop a list of search terms & words Identify difficult words Identify the main ideas Identify keywords for each concept Break into key concepts Step: 3 – Apply Search Strategies

31. Keyword Author-Title Subject Title Author Five Types of Search Strategies using Internet • A search strategy is the action plan for retrieving information • Used to • identify info required • find relevant info

32. For a more Comprehensive coverage on ‘Sources of Information’, please refer to the file ‘How to Tackle TMAs’ in the CD provided.

33. Authority Scope Objectivity Accuracy Currency Step: 4 – Select andEvaluate Information Criteria used to select and evaluate information

34. Step: 5 – Presenting Information • Use A4 Size paper • Use standard margin & spacing • Name, Student ID, Title on the first page • Standard font – Arial/Times New Roman size 12 • Number the pages

35. The Do’s and Don’ts of writing good answers: The Do’s • State main ideas clearly and concisely using short sentences • Check spelling, grammar and punctuation • Spell out abbreviations and acronyms first • State reference sources • Use suitable linking words • Be objective and consistent

36. The Do’s and Don’ts of writing good answers: The Don’ts • Long winded and repetition of sentences • Too generalized • Point form/note form • Make your own opinion or assumptions • Assume examiners know your abbreviation • Hanging sentences • Inconsistency • Leave it to your tutor to check • Plagiarize

37. Plagiarism Plagiarismoccurs when a writerdeliberately uses someone else’s work(language, ideas, or other original material)without acknowledging its source. WOU defines plagiarism as ‘presenting the work of othersas his or her own work, which includes submitting an assignment which has been written jointly with other persons or has been copied in its entirety or in part, without the acknowledgment from the work of other persons, whether published or otherwise.’

38. How To Avoid Plagiarism • Read, understand and interpret the materials • Make notes / rewrite points in your own words  paraphrase • Cite your sources of information / data and references • It is easy to ‘cut and paste’. If you must do so, give credit to the original authors with appropriate citations as it is NOT your own ideas or words!! • Do not copy the work from your fellow course mates even though both of you have discussed the work together! • Consult your tutor if in doubt.

39. Cite the Source Use own argument and reasoning Use quotation Use own words Summary: How To Avoid Plagiarism Give credits Acknowledge

40. Assignment Outline Essay Type Assignment • Introduction • Introduction/Background/Objectives • Body • Paragraphs 1 & 2 • Paragraphs 3 & 4 • Paragraphs 5 & 6 • Paragraphs 7 & 8 • Conclusion Use paragraphs effectively main point  explanation  details.

41. Presentation of TMAs • Outline a structure for your assignment write-up (for Business & Social Science Courses). • Cover • Table of Content • Introduction • Body • Conclusion • References • Review your writing.

42. The Final Draft Ask Yourself the Following Questions:- • Is the write-up focused? • Did I plan and prepare well? • Does the content show understanding of relevant issues? • Does the writing show evidence of wide reading and research? • Is there a logical development of issues from one paragraph to another? • Are the arguments convincing? • Is the analysis clear and logical? • Is the language used clear and precise? • Does the conclusion answer questions raised in the body of content?

43. For more Comprehensive notes on ‘Citing References’, please refer to the file ‘How to Tackle TMAs’ in the CD provided or http://www.wou.edu.my/Document/Citation%20Guide.pdf

44. Thank You