How To Succeed @ Distance Education
Before You Begin
With distance education classes you, the student, are more in control of your education than in a traditional classroom setting. To facilitate your success there are a few things you need to do before starting your course. Before you begin, please ensure that your computer is capable of accessing the course material, that it meets the technical requirements listed below, and that you know how to use WebCampus. While some of these extra steps are unique to distance education, fortunately there are numerous resources to assist you along the way.
Please take a few moments now to prepare yourself and your computer for a UNLV distance education course by following these steps:
- Internet Browser: WebCampus supports various browsers including Safari, FireFox, Mozilla and others. However, you must use a version included in the list of supported Internet browsers for your course work in WebCampus.
Hint: Click on the Check Browser button in WebCampus to test your browser if you are having problems with WebCampus.
- Browser Plug ins: Listed below are plug ins you may need for your browser. Not all versions of software work correctly or are supported by UNLV. Therefore it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you visit the list of supported software on the OIT Software & Applications page. For Distance Education course work you will likely need some of the following:
- RealPlayer is used for all courses that have videos
- Adobe Flash Player (formerly Macromedia Flash) is used by many instructors
- You may need to use additional viewers for various documents such as Adobe Acrobat files, PowerPoint presentation, MS Word documents, and others. If you need something that is not listed on the OIT Software & Applications page contact your instructor or the Student Computing Support Center as described below.
- Training Videos: Watch the WebCampus Student Training Videos to learn about the WebCampus tools, such as Mail, Discussions, Assessments, Assignments, etc.
- WebCampus: Open WebCampus and pay particular attention to the two important links on the upper right of the page: Check Browser and Help. Click on and follow the Check Browser steps the first time you login to WebCampus, or any time you are experiencing problems. Click the Help link for information on your current page's features.
- Explore your course: Read the course syllabus, familiarize yourself with the course objectives, and explore the layout of the class. Practice navigating around WebCampus and have fun discovering what the Course Tools do. Pay particular attention to announcements from the instructor, due dates, material required, and make sure you know how to contact your instructor.
Note: When navigating around WebCampus use Course Tools, bread crumbs, hyperlinks, or the table of contents within the learning modules. DO NOT use the web browser forward and back buttons for navigation.
Assistance (Help!!):
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Familiarize yourself with the services and assistance available to you at the UNLV WebCampus Support Portal. Other resources include:
Here is a quick list of services provided by the Support portal and the student help desk:
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For questions regarding registration use our contact form, or call the Distance Education Office at (702) 895-0334 or send email to distanceed@unlv.edu. |
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Successful online learning requires self-motivation and a sense of adventure. It can be one of your most rewarding educational experiences. How well you do is up to you!
Useful Links
Below are some useful links and tips for you to learn about WebCampus, UNLV online resources and other useful web sites. You will probably refer to these resources throughout the semester.
| You need to find out about: | You will find your answer here: |
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Getting around WebCampus or finding about the Course Tools |
For help with features on your current WebCampus page, check out the UNLV WebCampus Support Portal. You can also watch these WebCampus Student Tutorial Videos to learn how to use WebCampus |
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Available online courses |
The Distance Education class schedule page |
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Student support organizations |
The UNLV Teaching and Learning Center Student Academic Success page is a one stop place to find out about student support organizations on campus |
| Proctors for examinations | Step by step instructions for students and faculty for proctored exams. |
Copyright restrictions |
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Writing and referencing the work of other people (and avoiding plagiarism) |
APA Citation Style for electronic and on line references Using MLA Citation Style to cite and document sources |
Conducting research on the Internet and Internet research tools |
The Internet Detective is a free online tutorial that will help you develop Internet research skills Academic Index a virtual reference desk SearchEdu has various tools, converters and calculators |
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The Lied Library Services for distance education students Using the library remotely (off campus) Asking the library questions |
The UNLV Lied Library home page Services for Distance Education Students Remote access library registration |
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Buying books |
UNLV Bookstore |
Internet etiquette and the suggested rules of conduct on line |
Excerpts of a book of netiquette by Virginia Shea |
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English as a second language |
Support web sites for students where English is a Second Language |