Happy Halloween!

Mobile learning

The new "thing" in online learning is mobile learning--the idea that you could have class materials you could study anywhere, on the go, using your iPhone or similar portable device. As a student, what do you think of this idea? Obviously, you're not going to write a research paper on your cell phone (at least, I hope not!). But what kinds of materials from your classes WOULD you like available for your mobile device? If the materials were available this way, do you think you'd choose that format often? Or would you probably just wait until you were at your computer and settled down to work on your class? Or do you think you'd never use the mobile version of the materials? Why not?

We'd love to hear your opinions!

Transferring to George Mason University

Many NOVA students plan to transfer to George Mason University after they have completed their coursework at NOVA. Did you know that NOVA has a website specifically dedicated to giving you information about transferring to George Mason? It always pays to plan ahead. Check out the site and see what you need to know as you plan the next steps in your college education.

Library Resources Tip #4: Ask a Librarian

Could you use a librarian's help as you work on your class assignments? Just visit the Ask a Librarian page. You can contact a campus librarian by phone, submit your question by email, or use live chat to get help from a librarian 24/7 days a week.

Finding Events at NOVA

The NOVA News and Events Calendar is a great way to keep up with what's going on at NOVA, including events you might want to attend. Just click here, or go to the NOVA homepage and click "News and Events" on the right. On this page, you'll find press releases about NOVA, links to see places NOVA's been featured lately in the news, a list of upcoming events as well as a link to the full events calendar, a podcast discussing current events at NOVA, and even a poll where you can share your opinion. Take a look and bookmark it for future reference!

Library Resources Tip #3: Best of the Web

Looking for useful online resources that you can be confident are reliable? Try using "Best of the Web," a list of websites selected by NOVA librarians for the quality information they provide. The list is organized by subject area (e.g., administration of justice, ESL, maps and directions, jobs and careers, Virginia local information, math) to help you quickly find the site you need.

Some simple good advice

Amelia Earhart said, "The most effective way to do it, is to do it." There are lots of tips and tricks out there about getting things done, multitasking, and being more efficient, but when it comes down to it, if you need to get something done--like, say, your online classes--you've really just got to sit down and do it!

Library Resources Tip #2: Try our e-books

Did you know that NOVA's libraries offer e-books you can download to your computer or e-book reader? Check them out here. You will find lots of reference books that might help you with your classes (such as engineering handbooks, criminal justice encyclopedias, and medical reference books) as well as books on topics of academic and personal interest, such as business and technology. Just one more way NOVA's libraries try to get you the information you need as conveniently as possible!

ELI Tip #8: How to find your ELI exam pass

Reminder: You cannot take an ELI exam at a NOVA Testing Center without an Exam Pass. Students will be turned away if they fail to present this important form. So, save yourself the hassle and print out exam passes for your courses as soon as you have the opportunity. Keep them in a safe spot until you are ready to take your exam. At the Testing Center, present the completed form for the corresponding test you are there to take, along with a valid photo-ID.

You can find your exam pass in one of two places...

• Option 1: Log into your course via Blackboard and print it from the syllabus, or

• Option 2: Go to http://eli.nvcc.edu/, and click “Course Descriptions.” Find the appropriate subject, and then click on the Exam Passes link for your course.

Don’t have a printer? Printer access is available at any open computer lab on campus. Remember to allow extra time to get to the computer lab and start your test at least 90 minutes before the testing center closes. For more details about taking ELI exams, see this post.

Library Resources Tip #1: Inter-Campus Loan

Do you live near one NOVA campus, but that campus doesn't carry the library book you need to use? Dreading driving across Northern Virginia to the campus that does have it? Well, hold on--no need to spend all that time in traffic! Instead, you can use inter-campus loan. Just visit the library's website here. Put your mouse over the "Books and More" box and then click "Request Items from Other NOVA Libraries" for instructions. They'll mail the book you've requested to the campus most convenient to you in just 2-3 business days.

Planning a Fun Weekend

Do you live in the DC Metro area? If so, you might want to check out the Washington Post's Going Out Guide, which includes suggestions for restaurants, clubs, events, museums, and more to help you find something fun to do each weekend.

Registering to Vote

Elections are coming up... are you registered to vote? If you need more information about registering or voting, click here.

Getting Ready to Succeed

Amelia Earhart said, "Preparation, I have often said, is rightly two-thirds of any venture."

Being prepared in advance can make a big difference to your success in your online courses because it means you avoid getting stuck with problems at the last minute that you could have avoided with a little more time to resolve them. For example, registering early, visiting the ELI Course Information Page to learn about your class and order your books before the class begins, submitting your financial aid paperwork far in advance of the deadline, and meeting regularly with a counselor to ensure that your academic plans are on track can all help ensure that you have a smooth path through your studies! What other advance preparations have helped you avoid problems in college?

Test-Taking Strategy Tips

Check out these excellent test-taking strategy tips from Michelle Klein, adjunct professor of Biology at ELI. Use these for studying and test taking and see if your grades don’t improve.

1. All multiple choice tests are not the same. Previously, in your academic life, you may have received multiple choice questions that were based on recall. To do well on these, you simply needed to recognize the correct answer. In contrast, other exams are based on information discrimination. This means that you are being tested on your ability to process information, and apply different concepts to one question. Furthermore, you are being tested on your ability to differentiate an ‘almost right’ answer from a ‘completely right’ answer. Whenever possible, you need to distinguish this before taking the exam, and prepare yourself for the appropriate assessment experience. In brief: a recall question will ask “what color is the sky”; however, discrimination questions will ask “If the sky turned black, why would this happen?” This is a very different paradigm; so be prepared with practice and strategies.

2. It’s all in the words. Sometimes there will be two answer options that both seem to fit. However, take a closer look. There are often one or two words that make the difference. Read each question carefully. Before looking at the answer options ask yourself: 1) What is this question really asking? 2) Do I know the answer? In fact, see if you can come up with the answer without looking at the options. If you are allowed to use scratch paper, write down the correct answer first. Then go through the answer options. Remind yourself that every word counts and is equally important. Also, always read through every answer options. Some possible answers are worded in such a way that they sound correct; but they are not. This isn’t a trick; this is testing your ability to find correct information in the face of incorrect information. In your future career, whatever it may be, your boss will ask you to solve problems, and this type of critical thinking is what your professor may be looking for.

3. Those ‘except’ questions. In keeping with the above information, you will often encounter ‘except’ questions. These are phrased as “All of the following are correct except” or you’ll see the words false, incorrect, incorrect pairing… etc. These questions require a thought process that is the exact opposite of what you may be used to. Instead of looking for the right choice, you are looking for the wrong choice. These questions often get students confused and frustrated. Recognize them for what they are, skip them on your first round through the exam, then take them as a group. Remind yourself that you are looking for the “wrong” answer.

4. The brain needs food. Did you know that your brain can use up to 70% of the glucose in your bloodstream when you are focused on a task? This is why you get so tired and hungry when studying. Therefore, make sure you are well fed before entering the Testing Center. By the way, ‘well fed’ does not mean a candy bar from the vending machine or a fast food meal. The term ‘well fed’ means quality food: protein, complex carbohydrate, a vegetable or two (or three).

5. The brain needs sleep. A well rested brain can process information efficiently. A tired and stressed brain is easily confused and doesn’t understand half of what it reads. Be kind to your brain, and take the exam when you are as rested as possible! Never, ever try to cram the night before.

6. It takes time. Allow yourself plenty of time. Remember, if you are going to be reading each question carefully, you’ll need lots of time.

7. Trust your first instincts. Quite often, students become a little confused and/or frustrated during the exam. When combined with a tired and hungry brain, students then begin to second guess their answers. While you can backtrack and change answers, please promise yourself that you will trust your first instincts, and do not change an answer unless you are absolutely convinced that your first answer is wrong.

8. It takes practice. The more prepared you are, the better you will fare. So, use course study guides and Google to locate lots and lots of practice questions. This will reinforce information, review content and give you practice with higher order multiple choice questions.

Online Student Newspaper at NOVA

Did you know that NOVA's student newspaper is now available online? That means you can easily keep up with NOVA news and events even if you aren't on campus regularly. And, you can add comments, take polls, search the archives, and more. Take a look and see what you think!

Welcome new ELI students!

Today we begin our third enrollment session for the fall semester. Welcome to all new ELI students (and to any of you starting one of your ELI classes today!). Don't forget that ELI staff are here to help. Visit our website to see how to contact us by email, chat, or phone, and don't hesitate to get in touch when there's something you need help with! While you're at our website, also check out the info on our free online tutoring service, Smarthinking.

We want you to do your best. Good luck with your courses!

Great Source for Learning More about Financial Aid

If you want a quick and authoritative source for information about financial aid, including changes in laws and polices, new opportunities to receive aid, and tips and suggestions, check out the blog Paying for College. The blog is produced by SCHEV, the State Council for Higher Education of Virginia, so you can be sure you'll get accurate information. They don't update the blog all that often, but you can read through the archives to be sure you get all the information you've missed up until this point! You can also post questions and receive a response from SCHEV. We hope you'll find this site useful!