Student Hand Book | Virtual University

 

 

Profile of a Successful Virtual University Student

Successful Virtual University students:

• take responsibility for their own learning
• are self motivated and self-disciplined
• understand that “online” is a far more convenient way to learn
• are comfortable and confident with written communications
• are willing to be members of an online community
• are open minded about sharing life, work, and educational experiences as part of the learning process
• are always willing and open to acquiring new skills
• are willing to "speak up" if problems arise
• think ideas through thoroughly, before sharing them with others
• actively and appropriately participate in class discussions
• complete and turn in assignments on time
• use time and resources efficiently and stay focused on the task at hand
• approach each day with a positive attitude
• treat others with respect and courtesy, even online
• accept others and their points of view
• maintain healthy professional relationships among their peers
• cooperate and work well with others, especially in cyber-space
• believe in collaboration and healthy competition
• demonstrate good character in helping and encouraging others
• use polite and acceptable language when communicating
• are expected to demonstrate the highest levels of honesty and integrity
• build mutually supportive relationships that assist them in pursuing their goals and dreams
• become life-long learners
• find valuable lessons from everything they experience
• are willing to commit the required amount of time to their studies
• are critical thinkers and reflective practitioners
• believe that high-quality learning can happen anywhere, anytime
• are active, creative and engaged in the learning process.
  
  
  Important Note
  In the Internet age, it is critically important to understand that any information that you send electronically or place on a remote web-site (or even on a computer at a public place) may be accessed by other individuals regardless of whether you allow them to do so or not. In this context, please keep the following guidelines in mind all the time:
  
• You should never share your password with anyone. Doing so may divulge your personal information that you may not have wanted to share
• Your login ID and password are also the custodians of your academic efforts. Allowing access to your work may enable an unscrupulous individual to copy your work and claim it as his/her own. The University has a zero-tolerance policy on copying and plagiarism and all participants in such activity will get a zero grade as a minimum
• You will be personally held responsible for all actions performed through your e-mail or LMS accounts, since both of these are password protected and only you are supposed to know your password.

  How to Study at VU 

Getting Started

The Study Methodology

As in any conventional university, you will attend lectures, interact with your tutors and peers and take semester examinations – the big difference being the method used for these activities. Virtual University lectures are delivered through the use of broadcast television, DVDs and even the Internet. All student-teacher interaction takes place over the Internet using a comprehensive Learning Management System (VU-LMS) deployed for this purpose on VU's servers. Examinations are conducted in a formal proctored environment at designated centers across the country using software designed specially for this purpose by the Virtual University of Pakistan.

VU-LMS

The Virtual University Learning Management System is a comprehensive software platform that allows students to manage their educational experience while studying at the University. The VU-LMS allows you to:

• Maintain and update your personal information
• Receive important announcements from the University
• Maintain a personal diary and notes
• View your lecture schedule
• Read lecture notes
• Download assignments and submit your solutions for grading
• Ask questions from your tutors and receive replies to the same
• Participate in quizzes and class discussions
• View your results and monitor your academic progress through your grade book
• View your fee status and download your fee vouchers for payment at the bank
• Access a host of student services such as requesting for lost Id Cards etc.

You may want to refer to the Orientation CD that you received with your Admission Package for further information about the above features.

Getting Used to VU-LMS

• Watch the Orientation Video sent to you in the Admission Package. This video will give you an overview of the University, VU-LMS and the VU Exam system.
• Now you should login using the login name and password provided to you by the University. Navigate through the various features of VU-LMS and familiarize yourself with them.

You should never share your password with anyone. Doing so may divulge your personal information that you may not have wanted to share. Remember: you will be held personally responsible for all actions performed through your LMS account.

Get the Recommended Books

• In your LMS account you will see the courses you are registered for during the current semester.
• When you enter each course's website, you will see a list of recommended books under the “Books” tab. You are urged to obtain the recommended books since they will help you achieve a deeper understanding of the subject material.

Access VU Lecture Videos

• Course lectures are broadcast on the Virtual University's TV channels, VTV1, 2, 3 & 4. You can see your timetable from the “Lecture Schedule” tab in your LMS. Please contact your local Cable Operator if you can not access these channels. The list of Cable Operators can be accessed from the VU homepage under Student Services.
• Virtual University has also established a full channel on the very popular youtube web site. To view lectures at any time of your convenience, you can visit http://www.youtube.com/vu. The same link is available on the main VU website under VU Lecture Videos.
• Finally, you can obtain all VU courses on DVDs from the Virtual University bookshop at nominal cost. Each DVD carries one complete course and frees you from the time constraints of the broadcast schedule and the bandwidth requirements of the online lectures.

DSL Broadband Internet Connectivity

• If you are registered at a VU campus, you will be provided computer access and Internet connectivity free of cost.
• However, if you are studying from home you will need to have your own computer and an Internet connection.
• DSL Broadband Internet Connectivity is available to VU students at subsidized costs.
• The same DSL Broadband facility can also be availed by campus students who have their own computers.

Access the Handouts

• Course Handouts are available on each course's website from the Lessons tab as well as the Download tab.
• They are also available for free download in the VU Content Library.
• In case you wish to acquire a paper copy of the handouts, you can buy them from the University’s Bookshop.

Manage Your Time

• Try to list down your daily activities along with approximate time required for each activity. This will help you in effectively managing your time.

How to Take Lectures at VU

• From within the LMS, click the Lecture Schedule button to view your weekly schedule
• Check the ‘Course Calendar’ to see the relevant page/section of the handout/ recommended books and the Internet links for your current lecture
• Read the handouts prior to taking the video lecture
• Watch the video lecture and prepare your own notes
• Read the relevant page/section of the handout/ recommended books as mentioned in the course calendar and visit the Internet links by clicking on the Internet links tab on the course website
• Ask any lectures related questions through the moderated discussion board (MDB).

 

How to Do Assignments at VU

• Manage your study time well by using a planner or diary to pace your activities appropriately. Start your course assignments early. Do not wait until the last moment. You will need time to gather relevant information, discuss and interact with your course mates and look for additional resources to complete the assignments.
• Read through the assignment carefully and find out exactly what is required. Underline key words such as discuss, compare, consider, how would… Those words will tell you what to do for your assignment.
• In particular, pay special attention to any format requirements mentioned in the assignment. Many times, the solution is required as a spreadsheet or a word-processed document and tutors may refuse to award marks if the formatting requirements are not followed.
• The first thing before doing the assignment is to understand the assignment completely. If anything in the assignment is unclear, you may ask your peers and tutors.
• Brainstorm and jot down your original ideas on paper or in your computer.
• Look back at the question again to check that you are answering it correctly.
• Be to the point. For example, in a descriptive question, there is no need for long introductions or a verbose answer. Don’t just write about the subject, relate your answers to the given points in the assignments and give your own insight/thoughts on it. Make simple sentences, this will reduce language and grammar mistakes.
• Make sure that you address all requirements of the assignment. Overlooking small points can lead to loss of marks. Remember, while answering any assignment, you have to show your own understanding about the subject matter.
• Think and answer logically. Organize your ideas. Your assignments should be clear, well sequenced and very well constructed.
• To prepare your assignment you are encouraged to consult books, journals and the Internet but remember to provide proper references and citations so that you are not penalized.
• It influences the grader how well things are organized at first view. Thus make paragraphs and use headings. This will also help you to check that you have answered all the questions.
• Do not copy word for word from any source. You should use your own words as far as possible.
• If you use an idea from a book or from the internet, written in your own words you should provide the name of the author and the year. At the end of your assignment you must give full details.
• If you use the words out of a book, you need to give the author, year and page. The citation and referencing should be done properly so that you are not penalized.
• In case you are not familiar with citations and references, you are encouraged to check the APA Citation Style.
• Working with others and sharing ideas is always a valuable activity and is recommended for assignments. However, all material you submit MUST be your own unique and original work.
• Copying from others or allowing them to copy from you are both classified as cheating and will be awarded zero marks. The University may award further penalties in certain cases.
• Deadlines for submission must be strictly adhered to. Late assignments are not accepted since the University already makes an allowance for infrastructure problems such as power loss etc.

 

The Use of email/ Email Etiquette

General Points when Communicating with VU

Use email when it is really required.
Send your email to the relevant address only. Do not send copies to irrelevant or extraneous addresses; this may, in fact, delay any response/action that you may be requesting. The email addresses of all concerned offices are given in the ‘Contact Us’ list on the University’s website.
To get a reply of your email, wait for at least two days. You can send a polite reminder if you do not get a reply after two days.

Use a Meaningful Subject

The email subject should be detailed enough to give the recipient an idea about the email content without having to open it. Single words like "Hi" or "Hello" or "Help" are a strict no-no. Think of meaningful but short titles.

Be Concise and To The Point

Keep you email message short and to the point. Sentences like "I hope this email finds you alive and well" look good only in letter correspondence.

Read the email Before You Send It

Do not hit the “Send” button without doing a spell check (use the Check Spelling option). An email with spelling mistakes or grammatical errors indicates that you have written the message in a non-serious mood and may convey a bad impression. There’s no taking back a comment that has already been sent, so it is important to double-check all writing to make sure that it clearly conveys the exact intended message. Apart from this, reading your email through the eyes of the recipient will help you send a more effective message and avoid misunderstandings and inappropriate comments.

Do Not Write in CAPITALS

IF YOU WRITE IN CAPITALS IT SEEMS AS IF YOU ARE SHOUTING. This can be highly annoying and might trigger an unwanted response. Therefore, try not to send any email text in capitals. Follow the rules of grammar and punctuation as you would in a formal letter. That means not writing in all caps or all lower-case letters.

Use Proper Structure & Layout

Since reading from a screen is more difficult than reading from paper, the structure and layout is very important for e-mail messages. Use short paragraphs and blank lines between each paragraph. When making points, number them or mark each point as separate to keep the overview. Do not use ‘Roman English’ i.e. writing Urdu in English because it is very difficult to read.

Be Aware of Your Tone

The "tone" is a very important part of electronic communication. You might find it helpful to read your email out loud before you submit it. When you read your message out loud does it sound the way you would speak to another student or the course facilitator in the classroom? Additionally, avoid writing a professor if you're feeling angry about a grade or some other aspect of the class. Write it after you have cooled off. A good way for you to determine if your question merits an email is to ask yourself, "Is this question important enough to make a trip to my professor's office?" If you decide it isn't worth the effort, you probably shouldn't bother sending it in an email.

Avoid Language that May Come Across as Strong or Offensive

Language can be easily misinterpreted in written communication. If a point must be stressed, review the statement to make sure that an outsider reading it would not be offended, and then post the statement. Humor and sarcasm may easily be misinterpreted as well, so try to be as matter-of-fact and professional as possible.

Consider the Privacy of Others

Ask permission prior to giving out a classmate's email address or other information.

Elements of a Good Online Writing Style

Key element	Purpose	Strategies
Clarity	To communicate clearly	Create single-subject messages whenever possible. Open the email message with a sentence that either: Connects it to previous correspondence, or identifies its purpose. Focus on the subject and purpose. Arrange ideas in a logical sequence.
Readability	To make information accessible	Use about 15 to 20 words per sentence. Limit each sentence to one idea. Use complex sentences of 25 to 35 words sparingly as they require a high level of reading skill. Vary the length of sentences to add rhythm and interest to your writing. Use the active voice. Avoid slang. Remove ambiguous and unnecessary words.
Positive language	To create a positive first impression	Use direct and courteous language. Choose positive rather than negative words.
Punctuation	To keep the meaning clear	Start a sentence with a capital and end with a full stop. Check that the sentence is not too long. Separate ideas by using paragraphs. In general, use more full stops than commas.
Tone	To establish the communication climate	Avoid emotional responses (called ‘flaming’). Use a courteous and tactful tone. Use an appropriate level of formality.

Plagiarism Sensitisation Document

Academic integrity is extremely important and an integral part of coursework at the Virtual University of Pakistan. Plagiarism is a serious offence to academic integrity; it is academic theft and dishonesty. It is essential that academic integrity procedures and policies are respected and practised at all times.

As a student of Virtual University

• Do share ideas with one another
• Do consult books, journals, magazines, internet sources as much as possible
• Do take care in downloading sources and taking notes
• Do use sources wisely and fairly
• Do take great care to distinguish your own ideas and knowledge from information derived from sources
• Do place quotations properly within quotation marks and cite them fully
• Do acknowledge paraphrased material completely
• Do expect to make mistakes managing and citing sources. Do expect to correct them
• Do learn the myriad rhetorical purposes that including and citing sources can serve
• Do have fun with sources, think of using them as weaving, building, playing with blocks, or any other metaphor that you associate with "taking what's at hand and making something of it”
• Do discover an argument so you have a distinctive voice in your own assignment/paper, and are not overwhelmed and intimidated by sources
• Do develop and assert your own ideas and beliefs – to think for yourself. But at the same time do engage the thinking of others, to place your own writing within the context of academic discourse by using and criticizing arguments from that discourse
• Do use the word processor to help you manage sources (for example, put sources you are quoting or paraphrasing in a different font and font color until the final draft so you don't accidentally forget they came from some other writer)
• Do observe the practice of careful record-keeping. Always write down the author, title and publication information (including the URL and other identifying information for web pages) so you can attach names and dates to specific ideas later while writing your assignment or paper
• Do learn to like your writing; even when it is bad, hand it in any way, and know we will always find something to like about it.
• Do learn how to write in your own style. Writing is a valuable exercise that tests your ability to explain a topic
• Do consult your instructor if you are in any doubt about the preparation of academic work before the work is prepared or submitted
• Do consult us (i.e. your instructors) whenever you have a question about the course, are feeling overwhelmed, or unhappy with an assignment or your work; we can discuss and find a way to make things work

Plagiarism – definition and what constitutes plagiarism

Plagiarism includes lifting information (text or graphics) from an original source without quotation marks (in the case of text), reference, or acknowledgement, as well as paraphrasing without reference or acknowledgement to the original source.
Applying, analysing, criticising or quoting other people’s work is perfectly reasonable and acceptable provided you always:
Attempt to summarise or restate another person’s work, theories or ideas and give acknowledgement to that person. This is usually done by citing your sources and presenting a list of references.
Or
By always using quotation marks (or indenting lengthy quotations in your text) to distinguish between the actual words of the writer and your own words. Once again, you should cite all sources and present full details of these in your list of references
All of the following are considered plagiarism:

• Collusion without official approval between two or more students, with the result that identical, or near identical work, is presented by all those involved
• Copying another person’s work, including the work of another student (with or without their consent), and claiming or pretending it is your own
• Copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit
• Failing to put a quotation in quotation marks
• Giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation
• Changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit
• Copying so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up the majority of your work, whether you give credit or not
• Buying a paper, or turning in a paper written by someone else 
• Paraphrasing someone else without giving credit
• Copying and pasting text from a web site without quotation marks and appropriate citation

Why Should You Cite Sources

•  Whenever you are citing a source, you are actually strengthening your writing
• Citing a source, whether paraphrased or quoted, reveals that you have performed research work and synthesised the findings into your own argument
• Using sources shows that you are engaged in "the great conversation," the world of ideas, and that you are aware of other thinkers' positions on the topic. By quoting (and citing) writers who support your position, you add strength to the position
• By responding reasonably to those who oppose the position, you show that there are valid counter arguments
• Appropriate quoting and citing also evidences your respect for the creators of ideas and arguments--honoring thinkers and their intellectual property 
• Giving due credit and acknowledgement to others work adds to your credibility and demonstrates that you know what is going on in your field of study
• Letting your reader know exactly which authorities you rely on is an advantage. It shows that you have done your research and that you are well acquainted with the literature on your topic
• Giving proper citation and referencing is also a courtesy to your readers because it helps them consult the material you have found.  That is especially important for Internet sources
• In a nutshell, citing helps make the assignment stronger and sounder and will probably result in a better grade.

Who Is Really Being Cheated When Someone Plagiarises?

You are in University to get an education, to prepare for a better career, and subsequently a more productive life. All the assignments, reports and projects that take so much time, give you a chance to develop and strengthen critical thinking and evaluative skills that enable you to make decisions.
Copying, cheating or plagiarizing short circuits a number of learning experiences and opportunities for the development of skills: actually doing the work of the research paper or assignment rather than counterfeiting it gives you not only knowledge of the subject and insights into the world of information and controversy, but improves research skills, thinking and analyzing, organizing, writing, planning and time management, and even meticulousness (those picky citation styles actually help improve one's attention to detail).  All this is missed when the assignment is faked, and it is these missed skills which will be of high value in the working world.  A degree will help you get a first job, but performance - using the skills developed by doing the given rigorous assignments will be required for promotion. If you cheat, you rob yourself of a learning opportunity and make yourself less prepared when you get out in the real world. So, in the long run, plagiarism even hurts the cheater. 

Note:

• The responsibility for learning the proper forms of citation lies with the individual student. (Refer to the Academic Integrity Tutorial links)
• It is the responsibility of students to learn the craft of scholarly referencing and to accurately cite the work of others in their own assignments.
• Students are expected to be familiar with the plagiarism sensitization document.
• If you have any questions at any time about whether something that you are considering might involve an instance of plagiarism, please consult with your instructor before you act.

Academic Integrity Tutorials

The following is a list of useful websites providing online interactive tutorials on academic integrity. You will visit all of them to get familiar with plagiarism, citation, referencing, proper quoting, paraphrasing and summarizing etc. In most of the following websites quizzes and tests are given to check your understanding. Do attempt them. However, note that the academic integrity policy and rules given in the following websites do not apply to you. You are subjected to Virtual University Academic Integrity Policy.
There are numerous styles of citation and referencing, however, you are required to use APA citation style in all your assignments and coursework at Virtual University. In the following websites, focus on the APA style.

Canadian Universities

• You Quote It, You Note It! Acadia University
• Understanding and Avoiding Plagiarism, Simon Fraser University
• Academic Integrity Tutorial, Brock University
• Test Yourself, University of Ontario Institute of Technology

American Universities

• Bruin Success With Less Stress, University of California, Los Angeles
• Plagiarism: What It Is And How to Avoid It, Montgomery College, Maryland
• Quiz on Academic Integrity, University of Southern California
• Virtual Academic Integrity Laboratory, University of Maryland University College
• How to Avoid Plagiarism, University of Maryland University College
• Understanding Plagiarism, Indiana University Bloomington
• A very helpful audio tutorial by UMUC on APA citation style
• University of Waterloo Academic Integrity Tutorial

Plagiarism Tutorials & Tests

• Plagiarism Tutorial, (UConn) brief introduction to basic citation practices
• How to Recognize Plagiarism, tests paraphrasing techniques

Tools Recommended for Students

• Citing Sources, introduction to basic information
• Citation Machine, interactive citation tool for MLA and APA styles
• KnightCite, interactive citation tool for MLA, APA, and Chicago styles

University Policy

Penalties exist to reassure honest students that their efforts are respected and valued, so much so that those who would escape the work by fakery will be punished substantially.
Virtual University of Pakistan has Zero Tolerance Policy as far as plagiarism is concerned. Strict action is taken in case plagiarism is detected including expulsion from the University.
 

Resources

All resources mentioned below may be accessed from the Virtual University homepage http://www.vu.edu.pk under “Quick Links”

VU Lecture Videos (YouTube)

You can view all VU lecture videos on YouTube directly or at http://www.youtube.com/vu .

HEC Digital Library

The HEC digital library has a host of journals, articles and publications that can assist you in learning.

VU Content Library

The VU Content Library provides access to lecture handouts of all VU courses.

MIT Open Courseware

The MIT Open Courseware is an extremely valuable repository of learning resources provided by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) USA.

Facilities

Campus Career Portal

VU has a Career Development Office for the placement of its graduates. This is done through the campus career portal which is powered by Rozee.pk under a National ICT R&D Fund, initiative of the Ministry of Information Technology. Access it by clicking on the Campus Career Portal link on VU homepage under “Quick Links”.

On-line Bookshop

You may place orders for lecture handouts & DVDs through the Bookshop link on the VU homepage.

Virtual Campuses

The university has established campuses across the length and breadth of Pakistan to facilitate its students. The complete list of campuses can be accessed from the VU homepage.

Broadcast Lecture Schedule

VU broadcasts video lectures through its four TV channels (VTV1, VTV2, VTV3, and VTV4). To help manage your time and streamline learning activities, the lecture schedule is provided to you through the “Lecture Schedule” button in the LMS.

DSL Broadband Internet Connectivity

DSL Broadband Internet Connectivity is available at subsidised rates to VU students.

VU Email

VU provides students with their own individual email accounts for which the required username and password are provided by the University in the admission letter. VU email (powered by Google) can be accessed at http://gmail.vu.edu.pk/

Campus-based/home-based Study Option

Students have the option to study at a campus or from home.

VU-CPL (Computer Proficiency License)

Basic Computer and Internet skills are the need of the day and are especially crucial for pursuing any course of study at VU effectively. The Virtual University has developed a complete set of interactive modules for this purpose, collectively known as VU-CPL. These audio/video modules, which are based on a self-learning paradigm, do not require a teacher for acquiring these skills. VU-CPL is available as a two DVD set from the VU Bookshop.

Scholarships

From time to time various scholarships are provided to VU students. Keep visiting/checking the Scholarships link on the VU homepage.

Cable Operators

A list of cable operators, who carry some or all of the VU TV channels, is available from the VU homepage.

By: Unknown On 07:55

Continue Reading