Studying Online;Succeeding through Distance Learning at University

178 Studying online 
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as they see them as something of a waste of time and efort. Yet 
they are really going to help you improve, so it is worthwhile set-
ting aside time to do them. 
QUICK TIP: Even if an online test is not compulsory, it is worth-
while doing it because it will help consolidate your learning, 
thereby improving your knowledge and understanding. 
HANDLING ONLINE SUMMATIVE 
ASSIGNMENTS 
A summative assignment is where you are assessed on the sum 
total of your learning on the module. Each module at university 
has “learning outcomes”. Tese are the things you are expected to 
be able to have achieved by the end of the course. Te summative 
assessment is designed to check whether you have achieved those 
learning outcomes. Online, you may be asked to provide essays, 
reports, presentations, and various written, video, or audio mate-
rials. Because these assignments count towards your degree, it is 
essential you check the precise digital requirements. Submitting 
the wrong kind of fle is going to stop you from getting the marks 
you deserve. 
QUICK TIP: Check the precise requirements for the kinds of 
fles you need to upload for summative assignments. If you up-
load an incorrect type of fle, you could lose marks or miss out 
on marks entirely. 
Tere is an advantage for online students with assessments that 
take place over the web. Feedback provided by lecturers tends to 
be more extensive. Furthermore, it is easier for students to access. 
It is typed and linked to specifc elements of the assignment sub-
mitted. However, for paper-based assignments on campus, there 
may be some scribbled comments at the end. Quite apart from the 
difculty of reading the lecturer’s handwriting, the comments are 
not always easily connected to specifc elements of the assignment. 

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