HOW TO
STUDY ONLINE
| Here
we answer some of your questions.
|
| . |
General
Student Information About NMIT
 What
is on-line learning with Northern Melbourne Institute
of TAFE all about ?
Are
the courses accredited?
What
do I need to know to study Online?
What
if I don't have a computer?
What
hardware and software do I need to study Online?
What
if I can't download and install software?
Is
the cost different to face to face courses?
How
long are the courses?
What
does an Online trainer do?
What
about study plans and being a success, what about studying
safely?
How
do I say I'm interested?
How
can I ask a question?
What
are the benefits?
| What
is On-line learning with Northern Melbourne
Institute of TAFE all about? |
| . |
Online
learning is a flexible way of studying. You
can enrol in a short course, a full course, a module
of work or a subject. We suppy you with all you need
to do the course and even help you with the purchasing/ordering
of any books. We give you up to one month's induction
into online learning so they you feel very comfortable
with the environments, plus know how to study online.
Full
Course
Some of our courses are designed for students who
enrol in a full time or part time course at Northern
Melbourne Institute of TAFE. Students can then
opt to study a module or more of their course in an
Online mode. This usually means attending some
face to face classes as well as studying over the
internet, using computer based training programs and
internet communication software. Potential students
are charged the standard course fees whether face
to face or Online.
Non Australians
and those who wish to can pay full fees for an online
course. Full fee paying courses are delivered by a
very dedicated group of highly trained teachers who
support you very well and try to meet your special
needs eg special time needs.
A
module
In some cases the student can enrol in one module
and study it over the internet and using computer
based training programs and internet communication
software. A specially calculated fee may apply in
some cases.
A
Short Course
Our short courses are complete courses. The
courses are normally from 8 hours to 200 hours duration.
A fee is charged based on the hours, course coordination,
tutoring and marking. Some short courses include
face to face sessions such as induction days or specialist
workshops.
How
it works
You will learn through a combination of FirstClass
and e-mail discussion, web site exploration, traditional
text reading, writing assignments and sometimes using
the TAFEVC. Information about FirstClass and
TAFEVC are found by clicking the buttons on the top
of this screen.
Read the
Online courses information to find out about a specific
course. You will normally use the course web
site for a variety of activities including attending
on-line "lectures", roleplay, conducting research
and collecting the latest information regarding the
course.
Group discussion is accomplished by using FirstClass
communication software. Assignments and exercises
can be posted via FirstClass or TAFEVC and can be
discussed with the teachers and other students before
submitting.
|
Are the courses
accredited? |
| . |
In most
cases the courses are fully accredited national courses
and some are internally accredited TAFE courses. A
certificate of completion is issued for short courses.
Most other courses are marked Competent/Not Competent
or graded.
|
Is the cost different
to face to face courses? |
| . |
Costs are
normally displayed on the course information pages.
The is no difference in most cases between an online
course and a face to face course unless it is full fee
paying. We charge a once a year online services fee
which means you have a full month's online induction
with a professional inductor, helpdesk support 8-4pm
Eastern Standard Time weekdays, plus online kits.
| How
long are the courses? |
| . |
Our Online
courses and modules range from 8 hours to 18 months.
In some cases you can have an extension if you have
a medical certificate, or other appropriate reason
why you cannot complete on time.
|
What
do I need to know to study Online? |
| . |
You must
know how to use a computer. You must know how
to use the filing system on your computer so you can
use files we send you. You must know the basics
of using a web browser such as Internet Explorer.
It is highly desirable that you know how to use e-mail
and can attach files to e-mail, and save files sent
to you via e-mail. It is highly desirable that you can
download and install software from the internet.
Software
supplied for your course comes complete with training.
We give
you up to one month online induction with a professional
inductor who understand what you wil be going through!
Your inductor will take you through how to study online,
how to set up your work area, how to overcome the
technological barriers and how to use the software.
|
What
if I don't have a computer? |
| . |
Most
public libraries have computer access.
Computer
access is also available through the NMIT
Library Network.
You
can also access a computer through an Internet Cafe
- check the yellow pages for one in your area.
| What
hardware and software do I need to study Online? |
| . |
To study
on-line students need...
A minimum
of a Pentium 2 computer
Windows
98, Windows 2000 or XP or Mac OS System 7.1.2 or greater
64
MB RAM preferred or greater
Most of our
courses use FirstClass communication software.
You can download this software from our FirstClass
link or you can access your course over
the web.
When you
have enrolled in your course you will receive a user
ID and password which will give you access to your course
content. Some courses will require other software.
In most cases the software will be available to download
from our sites.
An alternative
link is provided in case the software in not accessible
from us for any reason.
| What
if I can't download and install software? |
| . |
An e-mail
link and or phone number will be available to help you
through this process. The e-mail link will be
on any web page designed for downloading the software.
Helpdesk is available on 03 9269 8329 between 8am and
4pm Eastern Standard Time Monday - Friday.
| What
does an Online trainer do? |
| . |
The trainer
will contact you as soon as you have enrolled.
They will supply you with all necessary induction information
or information about face to face sessions which may
be available. They will send you software or help
you download it. The trainer will organise any
printed course materials. The trainer may organise
set Online tutorials for your class using FirstClass
communication software or TAFEVC. The trainer
will maintain communication using e-mail, phone, fax
or/and FirstClass. The trainer will assess your
work.
|
What about study plans
and being a success, and studying safely? |
| . |
Studying
Online is different to studying face to face.
Here are our tips for success.
-
Do your
occupational Health and Safety exercises regularly
so you do not get sore eyes, a sore back or RSI
(repetitive strain injury).
-
Set
aside a time when you can work uninterrupted.
Be firm with family, friends or workmates who
may disturb you. Treat this time as a face
to face class. You may be home or at work,
but you are actually 'not around'.
-
Stick
to your chosen time.
-
Attend
Online tutorials if offered.
-
Plan
to contact your tutor every week.
-
Communicate
with class members often and study together if
using FirstClass
or TAFEVC.
Remember to learn how to use these by reading
through our information pack when it arrives or
online.
-
Break
the work into manageable chunks and tick off each
part as you complete it. Give yourself a
treat for completing a chunk.
|
How do I say I'm interested? |
| . |
First read
the course information. Click on the registration
link on the course page to register your interest.
A trainer will contact you.
| How
can I ask a question? |
| . |
Click
on this link to send an e-mail
message.
or
Ring 03 9269
8329 to speak to Rita Fischman
or
Look for
the online teacher's contact details in the course
information of your chosen course and contact them.
Convenience
It is possible to study entire courses all from the
convenience of your own home, r public libraries or
workplace. Course information, tutors and fellow students
can be accessed at any time using e-mail or FirstClass.
Assessment can be submitted at any time.
Up
to date Information
The Internet is very quick to update. So you can be
sure information in your Course Study Guides is the
latest, most relevant information.
Flexibility
The study sites have been designed to be easily navigated.
You are able to study in the order you choose.
Totally
self-paced
Some of our Online courses are designed to be entirely
self paced. The amount of information learnt,
when assessment is taken, how much you network with
other students, all these components can be arranged
for your individual needs, and around your current
commitments.
The self-paced
nature is very important for mature aged students,
who have many commitments that can change from week
to week. Easy, fast and cheap communication with your
teachers, class supervisors and fellow students via
e-mail, TAFEVC or FirstClass.
Convenient
communication
You don’t have to organise communication around the
availability of your teacher being on-site at the Institute.
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