James A. Rhodes State College

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Student Resources

Library

Online library resources can be found on the Internet through the following link:

http://www.lima.ohio-state.edu/library/library.html

The site has links to OSCAR, OhioLink, as well as reference materials and periodicals.  More information can be found by following this link on the library website:  Other sources of information may be provided to you by your instructor.

Search engines?

http://www.google.com

http://www.aksjeeves.com

The Learning Center

Free tutoring in available to enrolled Rhodes State College students on a walk-in basis in a variety of topics including: accounting, chemistry, computers, math, social sciences, writing (for any course with  writing assignments), and others as needed.  Information regarding their services can be found at:

Learning Center Home Page

Both the Learning Center (located in the Technical Education Building, Room 147) and the Math Skills Center (located in the Science Building, Room 240) are staffed with student learning assistants who are available one on one to help students become successful in their course work.  Contact the Learning Assistance Program, 419-995-8039, for a schedule of available times.

Besides working with students on course-specific topics, the learning assistants are available to guide students in strategies and techniques for being a successful college student.  Learning assistants can help in many ways, such as learning new ways to prepare for and take tests, finding out how to get the most out of classroom lectures, or discovering effective ways to manage time.

Center for Distance Education

What equipment is available in the Center for Distance Education to support telecourse, online, and self-directed students?

• Pentium computers with Internet connections
• Video tapes, CD-Roms, and DVDs for Rhodes State's Videotape Take-Home Program
• TVs, VCRs, and audio cassette players
• Software for word processing, spreadsheet applications, and databases
• CD-ROMs for computer based training in MS Office applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, FrontPage, and Access 2000; videotape training on HTML, Java, Cisco, and Novell networking, reference materials such as Encarta and Compton's Encyclopedias, Microsoft Bookshelf containing a dictionary, thesaurus, etc., Medical Terminology, Bodyworks, and much more
• An alternative site for testing

In addition, the Center for Distance Education is staffed with friendly, helpful people who are here to assist you.  Workstudy students are also on duty at various times to offer assistance as well.  If you have any suggestions on how we might better serve you, feel free to share them with any of the instructors.

What personal characteristics are necessary to successfully complete a distance learning course?

As a distance education student you are not restricted to set classroom hours, can learn in the comfort of your home, and can review material that is unclear any number of times.  However, you will be required to work on a far more independent basis while taking a course in an alternative format. 

1. You are committed to completing your course.
2. You have good reading and comprehension skills.
3. You are able to avoid and overcome distractions.
4. You are able to devote the necessary time to your studies.
5. You have access to a quiet place to study.
6. You have confidence in yourself as an independent learner.
7. You are self-motivated.
8. You have self-discipline and are able to set and maintain a schedule.
9. You can meet deadlines.
10. You possess good organizational skills.
11. You practice good study skills.
12. You do not need daily contact with your instructor but will contact the instructor when questions arise about the course.
13. You realize that there are times you may be required to come to campus.
14. You have reliable child care to support campus visits.

If you feel you do not possess the above skills, please consult your advisor or your course instructor.  You may want to consider taking your course in a traditional class format, and your advisor or distance education instructor will help you make that decision.  Again, we are pleased that you are taking an distance education course.  Please telephone, stop by, or email your instructor prior to getting started in your course, or drop by the Center for Distance Education in TEL-138 if you have any questions as you begin this quarter.