Introduction to Online Learning

Welcome to the Australian Defence Force Academy's Online Learning Page for students. This is the page where you discover how to make the most of your online studies by using the resources, links and advice presented here.

Online learning at ADFA

OLIVE is the platform for online learning at UNSW@ADFA and offers many features and tools that support the online learner. Read the introductory information on the Online learning site.

OLIVE sites can utilise a range of teaching and learning features and tools. These allow students and lecturers to create or supplement the interaction and collaboration that takes place in the classroom or seminar group.

Here are some course design elements that may be used in an online learning course:

• Course announcements and reminders from instructor
• Course information documents
• Information about assignments and instructions for completing them
• Course instructional/content documents and materials (handouts, PowerPoint slides, Internet sites)
• Personal and contact information for instructor
• Links to Internet sites for completing assignments or independent study
• Communication with classmates and instructor via email, forums, blogs, wikis...

The exact design of each course site is decided by the lecturer with due consideration to the nature of the subject and the value they perceive for online components in supporting the objectives for the course.

More information can be found in the Help & Documentation links inside OLIVE.

Studying Effectively Online

Successful online study can be achieved by selecting and using the tools and features of the online environment effectively and by applying study skills such as planning for assessment, time management, note taking and summarizing and reviewing material, searching, retrieving and evaluating information, and in some cases storing your files.

The sites below offer tips and practical advice for the online student:

Study Skills

• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University - study skills self help information
• Regents Online Degree Programs - tips on how to study online
• Coping.Org's Tools for Coping Series - onsite manuals for coping with a variety of life's stressors.
• University of Western Sydney - Orientation to online learning

Netiquette

Netiquette (online etiquette) is about how to conduct and protect yourself during online chats or while using email, discussion forums and other communication tools. The virtual classroom exists without the nonverbal clues available in real classrooms and it is easy to be misunderstood or to offend others in this environment.

Here are some sites that explain the rules of netiquette:

The Netiquette Home page takes a serious look at behaving better online

Net Manners is a light hearted site with useful tips and insights into net behaviour

Business Netiquette International is a site with a business focus for users wishing to develop a professional online style.

 

back to top