Student Survival Guide for Online

• Conducting Successful Library and Internet Searches


o Conducting Academic Web searches start with a search engine such as Google.com. Type in topic or some key words. There will be a list of sites Go through them and evaluate them each to ensure credibility and usefulness ask questions to see if the site will meet the needs of the paper. Friends and family who have used a particular site for resources are helpful as well. Navigation of the university library is a necessary skill; the library is set up with your library resources and library services. By choosing which search function you want to use you can find any specific database, you can also search by author, book, or article title. There are also the services provided by the library if you should still have any difficulty in finding what you need.
o Utilizing the resource appendix F document I will be able to effectively evaluate the usefulness of the web source I find.

• Upholding Academic Honesty


o It is my understanding that Axia’s policy on Academic Honesty is one of no tolerance. All ideas used from another source must be properly cited to avoid plagiarism.
o Plagiarism is a serious problem and more than often occurs accidentally. If you follow the rules stated in the above paragraph, you should be able to safeguard yourself from plagiarism.  There are many resources and much information to be utilized out there. If you follow the guidelines and correctly cite your references you can have a paper you will be proud to call your own.
o We can make use of this wealth of information and still guard against plagiarism by making sure we cite our references in the correct way. Whether it is by summarizing: which is summing up what the author is trying to convey words, or paraphrasing: This is re wording a sentence or phrase using your own words, or attributing: which is quoting an article, source, or author word for word using quotation marks. Of course the most effective way of avoiding accidental plagiarism is the use of common knowledge. Information that is commonly known; for example, it is common knowledge that John F Kennedy was assassinated while riding in a motorcade with is wife. This information is well known and does not require you to cite an author or source.
o Poor time management and inadequate planning can lead to plagiarism because it can affect the way you cite your references. If you do not manage your time properly then you will be rushing and may miss something important. Inadequate planning leads to incorrect reference citing of authors or sources. If you do not plan your time effectively it can lead to misspelling or misquoting an author or source correctly within your paper. You may also find missed steps and overlooked spelling errors because you didn’t have time reread and edit your paper properly. Also you may come to the mistaken conclusion that since you did not manage your time effective you find paper do and no references formatted correctly so you attempt to copy verbatim from your source believing that no one will be the wiser.  However plagiarism never goes unnoticed and the consequences are extreme.






• Developing Effective Study Skills

o Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review; this is the method SQ3R used for remembering what was covered in the reading material. Examples of the process are: Survey- Survey by reading the chapter headings and subheadings. Then read all the sub headings and bullets on what questions would be answered by the time the selection was read, also survey the diagrams and figures. Question- The questions asked where; why is it important to become a life long learner? How does one become a life long learner? How does one develop and maintain flexibility? How does one learn to view Organizations as Learning Centers? How does one become a better strategic learner? How does one develop strategic skills and attitudes? What obstacles do one face on the way to Strategic Learning? How can one get ready to study? How does one get motivated? How does one make a commitment? How can one be responsible? How does one build self esteem? How does one think positively? How does one take action? How does one build his team working skills? How does one embrace Change? Read - Read through the chapter keeping in mind all the questions written out jotting down some key words that would lead to answering the questions written down. Recite-Recite all questions and the answers to them familiarizing oneself with the text of the chapter. Read out loud the answers and what questions they were in response to. Review – Review answers to the questions and complete some of the exercises at the end of the chapter. Go back and scan the chapter for specific answers to the questions that needed to be answered at the end of the chapter.
o Utilizing ones strengths; organization being a key strength and the key to the In learning to organize everything down ones thoughts, take the time to set up a plan figure how to approach a project or subject. Then organize materials and put everything in place that is needed. Do all work in word or on scrap paper, then put it together on another word document organizing it into the acceptable format for posting or handing in. In utilizing strengths in the areas of Musical Rhythmic Intelligence; find a rhythm in everything. When a project is repetitive develop a rhythm, this allows the time to flow fast while moving to a beat and generally makes the project go fast. Going through the learning process to a beat helps one memorize and retain knowledge. If one has everything mapped out then he can focus attention on the material. The Thinker is constantly thinking brainstorming is an asset when it comes to learning. Thinking up the solutions and coming up with the creative ways to do things. Giver; comes in handy in team work because one really wants their team mates to do as well if not better than himself. All these things make one an excellent student for Distance Learning. Since one is organized and able to prioritize tasks one does not fall victim to procrastination. Ones comprehension level is so that he needs little to no instructor input and rarely needs to seek assistance or clarification from his instructors.
o When learning online while maintaining a full time job time is very limited and organization is a necessity to make it through classes week by week, assignments are due in a few days instead of a couple of weeks. In distance learning one will need to set his own pace and determine his own timeline to accomplish assignments. The skills needed are organization, and the ability to effectively use ones time, as well as being able to multi task and prioritize his tasks. One will need to become adept at balancing class work with the responsibilities of a full time job and possibly a family as well. He will need to structure his day to include study time and time to work on assignments. If he commutes to work by bus or train he may want to use this time to do reading or organize his ideas for how to go about his day and accomplish everything he will need to do day by day. Most importantly he will have to fully commit himself to change and become a person who is willing and able to adapt to any situation.



• Managing Time Wisely


o Have a calendar, and an agenda planner as well as organizing assignments by week.  It all helps deciding which items on a schedule to prioritize on a daily and weekly basis by first setting up assignments for the week. Working, school, family. Are on most lists of things to do. Each week on Sunday go over ones class syllabuses to see what the weekly assignments are, Copy and paste the assignments for that week into a word document. Then read over them and download all class materials, i.e. reading materials and resources for that week and save them as a word file or PDF file. Then look over the course calendar and pencil in an agenda planner and desktop calendar the due dates for each assignment. Then go back over the list and see what if anything can be started on. If one sees something that will take no time at all do it right then. Then either save it or go ahead and post it. Anything that will take a while to formulate an idea for will wait until later in the week but never more than a day before it is due. Family time and working is done everyday.
o Doctor’s appointments and such are scheduled usually months or days ahead of time and put in an agenda planner and in an online calendar so that one can get an automatic e-mail when that date is coming up. Even e-mail reminders about birthdays can be helpful Any free time can be spent with the family or personal down time


• Setting and Achieving Goals


o Some examples of Long and short term goals are: Educational; a lifetime goal is to continue educating oneself. Another long term educational goal would be getting a Masters in Early Childhood Education and a Doctorate in Early Education Psychology within ten years. In accomplishing this goal some short term goals. Going back to college and going for an Associates degree in business within the next two to three years. Completed all the required course work my next short term goal is a Bachelors Degree in Business within the next five to six years.  A long term career goal could be to start a non profit organization with in ten years. In obtaining this long term goal, a first short term goal could be to build a website and recruiting members. The next short term goal is to research Non Profits and the IRS website for resources and startup costs for nonprofits. Setting a time frame is a helpful way of completing goal by having a specific point to look to, goals become more attainable
o Despite obstacles goals can be accomplished if you learn to prioritize and be willing to give up certain things that may hinder progress in achieving goals. Manage time effectively and stay on task
o An Axia degree sets everything in motion, It is the first step in accomplishing goals set and is the basis for starting a career in life long learning