Studying at a Distance
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
1
Course Structure
 Selected topics from TWO textbooks will be covered in
6 sessions
 Studying at a Distance (Session 1)
 Computing Essentials 2012 (Sessions 2- 6)
 There will be Lab sessions to practice some general
skills
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
2
Course Assessment
 Continuous assessment (50%)
 One TMA (Tutor Marked Assignment) == 20%
 One MTA (Mid-Term Assessments) == 30%
 Final Exam (50%)
 To pass the course, YOU NEED to get at least:
 15 % in continuous assessment
 20% in Final Exam
 50 % of the total mark.
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
3
Course Objectives
 To develop basic skills of “Learning”
 To know e-Learning: meaning, accessibility, skills, and




resources
To familiarize with the basic concepts of Information
Technology: Internet, Web, and Systems
To familiarize with basic computer system
applications: software and hardware
To learn some practical skills for using computers
To introduce the concepts of: Security and Ethics
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
4
Session 1: Outline
 What is Learning?
 What do we mean by e-Learning?
 Reading and note-making
 LMS at AOU
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
5
What is Learning?
 Acquisition of new skills, knowledge and attitudes
 Recognition of how they relate to the skills, knowledge and
attitudes you already possess
 Process of understanding what has been acquired, and
applying it to both familiar and new situations
 It is NOT just about collecting information  It is
engaging with and making use of that information in a
creative way! (Active learning)
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
6
Different Learning Concepts
 Different Learning Concepts
 Traditional learning
 Distance learning: student is geographically remote
from the educational institution (same skills + computer
skills)
 ‘Hybrid', ‘Blended' or ‘Mixed-mode‘ learning: includes a
combination of both face-to-face and distance study
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
7
Sources of Learning
 Reading books and articles found by searching library




resources
Accessing information on a CD-ROM or via the
Internet
Accessing information from professional associations
Discussing subjects with tutors and other students,
either face-to-face or via the Internet
Attempting problem-solving
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
8
What Do We Mean by e-Learning
 Using computers and






mobile phones
CD-ROM or DVD
Internet
E-mailing
One-to-one chat
Virtual Learning
Environment (VLE)
Conferencing boards
 Discussion rooms
 Streaming video
 Video conferencing
 Podcasting
 Blogs
 Wikis
 RSS(Really simple
syndication)
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
10
• Virtual Learning Environment(VLE): Computer
environment which provide access to a variety of electronic learning
resources. Eg: Moodle, Blackboard
• Conferencing boards(Discussion rooms): Places where
discussions can held. People can respond to questions or comments
posted by others
• Podcasting: Delivery of multimedia files via the internet to a PC or
mobile phone
• Blogs: A personal website which can be open or password protected
• Wiki: A website where several people can participate to write the
content for a subject
• RSS(Really simple syndication): An automated system of
receiving notifications when webpages are updated (downloaded
software)
• Video conferencing: Communication between different
locations by transferring audio & video
• Video streaming : No need to download a file to play it. We can
view video in real time
Online learning:
VLE have the following information:
 Program and module information
 Assessment details
 The facility to submit assignments
 Schedule of learning
 Interactive e-learning materials
 Opportunities for self-assessment questions (SAQs)
and feedback ((self- assessment-> for you to know
your level not to judge your-self)
 University staff information and contact details
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
12
Reading and Note-making
 Read with a purpose
 Read selectively
 Read critically and analytically
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
13
Reading and Note-making: Relevance
 Find what relevant items of literature and electronic
sources with the help of
 catalogues,
 indexes,
 abstracts
(Is it worth to spend more minutes on this martial?)
 Put yourself into a questioning frame of mind
 Why am I interested in this item?
 How will it contribute to my essay, assignment, or group work
preparation?
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
14
Reading Strategies [1]
 Read the dust jacket or back cover of a book
 Cover can provide a useful indication of its overall
relevance to your need
 Author
 Their standing in the academic community
 Their qualifications for writing the book
 Their contribution to a particular field
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
15
dust jacket
Dust jacket
dust jacket
16
Arab Open
University
Spring 2013
Reading Strategies [2]
 Read the Abstract
 It is likely to be more informative than a book
cover.
 provide an accurate, brief account of what is in
the article
What methodology was used
 The main conclusions.

Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
17
Reading Strategies [3]

Read the Content page
 Select only the relevant chapters, sections, or even
few pages
 Scan the index of a book for appropriate or relevant
vocabulary (pointer-locator)
 Provide an overview of the key concepts
 Scan the bibliography to recognize some of the
references
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
18
Reading Strategies [4]
 Read the Introduction
 Gives an idea of the author's point of view or
perspective on the subject of the book
 Read the Conclusion
 This can sometimes the final chapter of a book
 It is like a summary and may contain final thoughts,
future improvements and author’s opinion.
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
19
Reading Strategies [5]
 Read the first and last paragraphs of a chapter and read
the first and last sentences of a few other paragraphs
 Scanning is used when you look quickly down a page or
website for specific words or phrases which you want to find
 Skimming is used when you are not looking for anything in
particular, but want to get a general impression of the
writing, and to discover what keywords, phrase or
arguments have been used by the writer
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
20
Reading Strategies [6]
 Start a mind map or spider diagram before
progressing to the more in-depth stages of reading
 This involves noting down the keywords for the
knowledge gained from reading up to this point
 Can make your reading from now on faster and more
effective (visually outline information)
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
21
Reading Strategies [7]
 Mind map example: Essay title: ‘Identify and
explain the major classifications of company
information required by users. Outline the reports
typically required by various types of users,
justifying your linkages.’
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
22
Reading Strategies [8]
 Mind map example
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
23
Reading Strategies [8]
Arab Open University Session 1 - Fall 2011
24
Critical and Analytical Reading [1]
 Stop and think from time to time about what have been
read
 Consider whether or not agree with it or believe it to be
based on sound evidence
 Employ the tactic of Double reading
 First do a quick read of the page, or several pages, to get the
gist of what is being said
 Second, go over the content much more carefully and make
notes on the key points as you go
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
25
Critical and Analytical Reading [2]
 Compare different points of view that are presented in
different books and articles to make judgments about what
being said
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
26
Critical and Analytical Reading [3]
 Academic criticism
 Criticism in general terms is regarded as something
negative
 In academic context, criticism does not have to imply
negatively, it is an opportunity to state what is good
about something too
 Should not be interpreted as a rude, personal insult on
the author
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
27
Note-making [1]
 Highlight
 Write in margins or underlining
 Make sure not to break the copyright of the copied
or printed materials
 Read through a section at a time
 Think about it
 Write a brief summary in your own words
 Check you have listed points in logical order
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
28
Note-making [2]
 Re-read the original work to check not missing out
anything important
 Create your summary using a mind map rather than by
writing a paragraph of text
 Try to discard irrelevant material
 Record the full bibliographical details of the item you read
 Write the author, date
 Title of the item
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
29
Plagiarism [1]
 Plagiarism: is taking and using another person’s published
thoughts or writings as your own
 Use quotation
 Sometimes plagiarism can be unintentional, in the sense
that you forget to cite the source
 In many institutions “I forgot to quote” does not constitute
an acceptable defense and you would still suffer the
consequences!
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
30
Plagiarism [2]
 Even when not quoting an author verbatim, you
should acknowledge the source of ideas, evidences
or theories to which refer in the text of your essays
NOTE 
 Don’t let your essay or other written work become
just a series of quotes
 You have to explain in your own words why the
quote is relevant to the essay and how it supports
your own reasoning
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
31
LMS at AOU [1]
 The LMS stands for Learning Management System
 It is the system that you need to manage your studying
process with the Arab Open University
 To access the LMS, use your web browser to go to the
following address:
http://lms.arabou.edu.sa
 Note: the URL may change according to your branch
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
32
LMS at AOU [2]
 The TU170 page has the following sections:
 Tutor’s Office Hours: to see the time and date where
you can meet the tutor
 TMA’s : here you can download and upload the TMA
and check the TMA result
 Course Content: to download any electronic material,
summaries, notes, and power point slides for the
course
 External resources: any external resources such as
webpage, PDF files or links to online tutorial which
can help during the study
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
33
• Enter your student’s ID and Password  Login
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
34
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
35
• Click on “Profile”
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
37
• Click on “Edit profile”  Edit profile  Save updates
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
38
• Click on “Change password”
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
39
• How to send a message to your tutor
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
40
• Click on “Send message” button
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
41
• Type your message and send it
Arab Open University
Session 1 - Fall 2011
42