Learning Skills For Uni Studies U1

WUC 131/03
Learning Skills for

University Studies
Unit 1
WOU’s
Website and
Basic Search
Contents
Course overview 1
Unit overview 2
Unit objectives 3
1.1 The WOU’s website 4
Objectives 4
Introduction 4
How to access the WOU website 6
Main features of WOU’s website 9
Suggested answers to activity 12
1.2 Learning management system 13
Objectives 13
Introduction 13
Open distance learning and the LMS 14
The functions of the WOU LMS — WawasanLearn 15
Suggested answers to activities 22
1.3 Online assignment system 23
Objectives 23
Introduction 23
Advantages of using the OAS 23
Assignment submission deadlines 24

1.4 The WOU digital library 34
Objectives 34
Introduction 34
The role of digital libraries in open distance learning 35
Strategies for using the WOU digital library — MyDigitalLibrary 37
Suggested answers to activity 44
1.5 Search strategies for information retrieval 45
Objectives 45
Introduction 45
What is a search strategy? 45
Library catalogue search strategies 46
Locating library materials 64
Digital library search strategies 68
Internet search strategies 69
Suggested answers to activities 79
Summary of Unit 1 81
Suggested answers to self-tests 82
Appendix 85
Course Overview
The main aim of this course is to develop and enhance a set of attitudes
that will lead to successful and independent lifelong learning in an
open learning environment. The course contents include how to learn
effectively, manage stress and time, prepare for tutorial sessions, write
assignments, make short oral presentations, prepare for various types
of assessments, manage WawasanLearn in WOU, use the electronic
library, search for information via various sources, resources and use
evaluation criteria to select the most accurate, relevant and credible
data.
By the end of the course, you should be able to:
1. Develop strategies for utilising WOU’s website, learning

management system and the digital library.
2. Explain the various modes of open distance learning.
3. Apply effective learning and stress management styles to

manage their studies and personal lives.
4. Demonstrate skills and strategies they can use to handle

various types of exam questions and test anxiety.
5. Use appropriate academic writing and oral presentation

techniques.
1 WUC 131/03 Learning Skills for University Studies

Unit Overview
Welcome to Unit 1 of WUC 131/03 WOU’s Website and Basic Search.
When you needed additional information or reference material during
your schooldays, the place to go was either your school library or the
public library. Here at WOU, you can still continue doing that. But we
also have an additional place for you to go to now — the WOU website.
This is a resource centre that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
and it never closes. This unit will introduce you to the WOU website and
show you new ways of searching for resources here.
You will realise as you journey along with us that you will have to make
changes to certain aspects of your life. You may notice changes in your
routine or schedule, your mind set, your attitudes and more importantly,
your way of learning. In this unit we would like to introduce you to the
various ‘in-house’ learning resources that can help you handle some of
these changes and make better progress in your learning. We are going
to begin with the WOU website — a site that will provide you access to
various resources that you can use to help you become a more competent
and capable learner.
UNIT 1 WOU’s website and basic search 2

Unit Objectives
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
1. Describe the main features of WOU’s website and list

the resources available.
2. Describe the concepts and functions of the WOU Learning

Management System (LMS).
3. Explain the concept of digital libraries and elaborate on

their advantages.
4. Describe the WOU digital library and the strategies for

using the library.

1.1 The WOU’s Website
Objectives
By the end of this section, you should be able to:
1. Describe how to access the WOU website.
2. Identify the main features available on the WOU website.
Introduction
You can access the WOU website through the Internet. The Internet is
a network of networks, linking computers to computers. The Internet is,
in other words, the transport vehicle for the information stored in files
or documents on another computer. Among the services used by the
computers on the Internet is the World Wide Web (WWW) or Web for
short. The Web was created in 1989 by the European Particle Physics
Laboratory based in Geneva, Switzerland. It is basically an information
delivery system. One can use the Web to seek many different kinds of
information as well as access many different types of services posted in
the web. To access a website, you need to use a client program, which
is also known as a Browser. Some of the commonly used browsers are
Mozilla, Internet Explorer and Netscape, among others. The main purpose
of the Web is to organise and make available widely scattered resources
within easy reach of the computer user.
Information on the Web is organised into web pages. Web pages may contain
different kinds of information. Some of the web pages may contain only
text (characters), while others may contain graphics (text and pictures
or illustrations). The more sophisticated web pages may be multimedia

based and have animation, sounds and video images. The website, on
the other hand, is a collection of related web pages, just like a book
that has many pages. Many organisations and individuals have their
own websites. For example, the Wawasan Open University has its own
website as do all the universities in Malaysia. The various government
ministries and departments also have their own websites.
The most outstanding element of the Web is that they have links to
other resources. When you access the pages of a website you may
find links to other websites and these links are called hyperlinks. These
hyperlinks are usually highlighted or marked differently in a document.
Thus when a reader of a webpage clicks a hyperlinked word or phrase,
the browser will almost instantaneously jump from one web page to
another web page or document in a completely different website. In
short, you can think of the Web as a library and the millions of websites
are like the books in a library. Sometimes, a site may contain only a page
while others may have hundreds of pages, and they may be linked to
other websites. However, you can only visit one website at a time.
Today, websites disseminate information on just about anything

depending on the purpose of their creation. They are used for various
different purposes and have in effect started a revolution in making
information freely available to anyone and everyone. They can contain
information on education, art, music, history or culture. For example, a
governmental website may contain information on policies, laws, etc.
while a website on a popular singer or actor may give you information on
his background, his songs or movies, etc. Believe it or not, there are even
websites like http://theoatmeal.com/djtaf or www.ahajokes.com that
tell jokes just to give you something to laugh about. In short, a website
is anything its designers and writers want it to be. Now that you know
more about the Internet and Web, let’s take a look at the WOU website.

How to access the WOU website
There are two ways how you can access the WOU website. The first
is through Mozilla Firefox. Look for the Mozilla Firefox icon on your
computer and click on it. This icon is located on the desktop or the
taskbar of your computer.
Mozilla Firefox icon

If it is not there, click on the start icon.
start
Then locate the All Programs. Search for the Mozilla Firefox icon. Click
on the icon. A webpage will appear like the one shown below. On the
address bar, type http://www.wou.edu.my. This will take you to the WOU
Web Portal.

Mozilla Firefox
All Programs
address bar

Another way to access the WOU Web Portal is by using the Internet
Explorer icon in your computer. This icon is also located on the
desktop or the taskbar of your computer. If it is not there, click on the
start icon. Then locate the All Programs. Search for the Internet Explorer
icon. Click on the icon. In the web page address bar, type http://www.
wou.edu.my.
Main features of WOU’s website

Look at the main page of the WOU’s website (shown below). This is the
page you will see every time you log into http://www.wou.edu.my. Look
at all the icons, links and the texts displayed here. If you have activated
your student online account with a self-defined password, you are ready
to access the Portal. Click on the My WOU Portal. This is the WOU
Student Portal which was created for you — the WOU learner.

What is a portal? The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 3rd
Edition (2001) defines a portal as “a tall and impressive gate or entrance
to a building.” This portal is more than just an ordinary entrance. It opens
the door to a website that will provide you with a variety of services in
the form of an online library, web search facilities, email, chat rooms,
news updates, and links to other websites. It is actually the door to a
new world of lifelong learning.
Activity 1.1
1. When you refer to www.wou.edu.my, you can see a short

description of WOU. What can you gather about the role of
WOU from this description?
______________________________________________________
2. Which of the features in the WOU website tells you about:
a. the benefits of being an open distance learner:
_________________________________________________
b. the grading system used by WOU for your tests and

examinations:
_________________________________________________
c. semester structure used by WOU:
_________________________________________________

d. what the WOU logo means:
_________________________________________________
e. accreditation of the WOU courses:
_________________________________________________
Web Reference
To read more about the topic, go to:
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/
InvisibleWeb.html (Accessed 5 April 2016)
Summary
In this section, you learnt how to access the WOU website.

Websites provide access to various services and resources and
they are available round-the-clock. Similarly, the WOU website,
as described in this section, is equipped with various resources
and services to enable you to become a more efficient and
successful learner.

Suggested answers to activity
Feedback
Activity 1.1
1. It says that WOU offers working people a chance to

study further. WOU is not a profit making organisation. It
emphasises quality education and is also actively involved
in open distance education at the international level.
2. a. ODL — What’s That?
b. FAQ — Examination
c. Study With Us — All you need to know
d. News Room — Logo rationale
e. FAQ — Degree programmes

1.2 Learning Management
System
Objectives
1. Identify the role of the Learning Management System

(LMS) in ODL.
2. Use the main functions in the WOU LMS.
Introduction
This section will introduce you to WOU’s online learning environment.
We assume that you own a personal computer and know the basics of
using it as well as the strategies for surfing the Internet. If you don’t, ask
your friends to teach you or sign up for a course. It is important that you
take the initiative because as an open distance learner, you need the
support of various resources to help you progress in your learning. One
such resource is the Learning Management System or LMS.

Open distance learning and the LMS
Open distance learning (ODL) is defined as a learning process or system
in which the teacher is separated geographically or in time from his
or her students. Learning is achieved through the implementation of
computer and electronics technology to connect teacher and learner,
as and when required, in either real (synchronous) or delayed time
(asynchronous). ODL also accommodates different and/or multiple
learning styles. But how can all these be accomplished? This is where
the Learning Management System or LMS comes in.
The LMS is a software package that allows the management and delivery
of content and resources to students. The LMS technology has now
become an integral part of teaching and learning in ODL because it is
extremely flexible in its customisation and its ability to support multiple
learning environments. Most LMS systems are web-based and enable
learners to access the learning content and administration “anytime”
and “anywhere”. They also allow learners self-service such as facilitating
registration for courses and providing access to course materials. In
most LMSs, you may even find virtual live classes and resources such
as books and instructors. Thus, through the LMS, learners are able to
read course materials, complete assessments, quizzes and tests from
the convenience of their personal computers, while contributing to live
discussion forums and chat sessions. In ODL, the LMS provides a place:
• For learner’s expression.
• To connect with other learners.
• To dialogue with the tutor and Course Coordinator.
• To seek mentoring and live help.
• For content interaction among learners and/or tutor and Course

Coordinator.

The functions of the WOU LMS - WawasanLearn
The LMS in WOU is known as WawasanLearn. It stores your course
website where all the information concerning your course is located. It
guides your learning and complements your tutorial sessions by making
available varied and additional learning opportunities. WawasanLearn
also provides you with a platform to connect to the teaching (tutors and
course coordinators) and learning community (learners from all over the
country) at WOU. Shown below is the WawasanLearn main page.
Now let us look at the features in WawasanLearn that will help enrich
and accelerate your learning experience at WOU. We mentioned above
that as an open distance learner you need to constantly interact with
tutors, Course Coordinators and course mates. To enable you to do this
efficiently and effectively, the WawasanLearn has made available the
forum. This is one of the most important and useful learning tools for
an open distance learner. This is where you get to ‘meet’ your tutors,
Course Coordinators and your course mates (not only from your centre

but from other centres as well). This is where you will have the opportunity
to discuss, collaborate and brainstorm with all of them. In addition, it
also provides you with information and resources to help you complete
and/or submit assignments and quizzes. Shown below is the website
for Learning Skills for University Studies. Go through each part of it so
that you will have an idea of how it works.
There is also a section where you can go and get information about your
tutor and his/her telephone tutoring hours.

Forum guide
Now that you are familiar with the course website and your tutor details,
we shall look at how the forum can help you in your learning process.
Basically, there are two main types of forum that you can participate in
through the WOU portal: Learning Forum and General Forum.
1. Announcement from Course Coordinator — This forum on

the latest course announcements, course materials and
course related information and it will be updated by the
Course Coordinator. Check this forum regularly as the
updates posted by your CC will be very essential to your
learning.
2. Announcement from Tutor — This forum on the latest tutorial

announcements will be updated by the tutor. Course related
information for the tutorial class will also be announced here.

3. Tutor Contact Details — This forum will be updated by each
tutor assigned to the course. Each tutor must post his/her
contact number and available time for tutoring here.
4. Public Forum — This forum can be posted by anyone

enrolled in the course for discussion on general issues.
Please do not use this forum to ask specific details about
your TMA or course content. That needs to be posted on
your class tutorial forum.
5. Tutorial Forum — This is a dedicated forum that students

and tutor(s) can use to post/communicate with each other
to discuss tutorial specific issues within the same tutorial
class such as queries on TMA. It also provides an avenue for
seeking answers or clarification to issues, doubts or any
questions that you might have related to the course content
as well.
Activity 1.2
As a new learner, you may have questions or doubts that you

would like to share with your tutorial mates. Write down questions
or doubts on the areas which you would like feedback on in the
learning forum.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

Activity 1.3
There may be questions or issues that you may want to get more
information on or discuss with your course mates from the other
Regional Office. Write down one question or topic that you would
like feedback on.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Assignments and quizzes
WawasanLearn also hosts the course websites. This is where you will find
all the information and announcements related to the various courses
you take. As you would probably know, you are required to complete two
tutor-marked assignments (TMAs). WawasanLearn is one avenue for you
to submit these assignments. You must submit the assignments online.
Feedback on your performance (grades or comments) will be given at
a later date. If you have any questions or comments on the TMAs, you
can always post them on the class tutorial forum. There is always the
inevitable deadline for submitting your TMAs. This will be stated in the
course website.
Apart from that, you may also have quizzes to answer. They may be
multiple-choice, short-answer, filling-in-the-blanks or true-false type of
questions. Although these quizzes do not contribute any marks towards
your assessments, they have been included to help you assess your
own progress, just like the self-tests in your course materials. You can
answer the online quizzes directly on the course website. You can attempt
the quizzes either once or more than once. If you are allowed to take a

quiz more than once, the number of attempts will be shown on the top
left-hand corner. So one of your main responsibilities is to read all the
instructions carefully before you begin an online quiz.
Resources
WawasanLearn also provides you support in terms of the resources you

need to easily view the course materials. For example, you may need
Acrobat Reader to read a handout given by your Course Coordinator in
PDF format. Another resource that WawasanLearn has made available
for you are the links to external web references.
Summary
In this section, you learnt about the functions of the Learning

Management System or LMS. At WOU, the LMS which is known
as WawasanLearn, makes available various resources that allow
you to further supplement and improve your ODL experience.
It also hosts your course websites through which you can get
information on everything related to your courses.

Self-test 1.1
1. In your own words, explain what a learning management

system or LMS is.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
2. Describe three ways the LMS can help you as an open

distance learner.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
3. Name one difference between the discussion board and the

public forum.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
4. You have a doubt concerning one of the Self-test questions

in a Learning Skills unit. Describe how you can use the LMS
to help you to clear this doubt?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

Suggested answers to activities
Feedback
Activity 1.2
Sample question: Some of you may even work on Saturdays and

Sundays, so how are you going to find time to study?
Activity 1.3
Sample question: Do you think 21 weeks is enough to cover all

the materials?

1.3 Online Assignment System
Objectives
1. Explain the role and functions of the OAS.
2. Demonstrate how to use the OAS effectively.
Introduction
Online assignment submission (OAS) is a system that caters for all the
University’s needs in terms of receiving assignments from students,
making them available to tutors to mark, returning grades, comments
and marked work to students and keeping the Registry and course
administrators informed at all stages of the process. It enables you to
deposit your assignments with immediate acknowledgment, and this is
available for all courses via https://assignment.wou.edu.my. Through
this system, you need only to log in and click on the relevant course to
submit an assignment.
Advantages of using the OAS

The main advantage of the OAS system is the convenience it offers —
you need not travel to your Regional Centre to deliver your assignments,
nor do you need to go to the nearest post office to mail you assignments.
This also eliminates the need to allow time for posting and ensures that
all students have the same deadlines. It removes the hassle of travel by

both tutors and students whilst eliminating the need for printing. You will
also be able to receive your evaluated TMAs with comments and view
your TMA grades online.
The system also allows administrators to have a centralised and accurate

record of submissions. As the assignments are automatically deposited
into the system, they are instantly recorded. An electronic system
reduces the amount of paper handling required. The Registry staff do
not need to photocopy assignments nor spend time and money putting
them into envelopes and posting them out to tutors. Archiving electronic
versions of documents reduces the physical storage space required for
paper versions. Tutors too, can retrieve the students’ assignments from
any place with Internet access, and proceed to provide the necessary
attention and feedback.
Our OAS includes email notifications to relevant personnel of key events:

submissions, extension requests, uploading of grades and marked work.
Everyone involved in the process can access the system at any time
to check whether assignments have been received or marked and the
status of extension requests. Communication between all those involved
is easy, lessening delays in the whole process. The logging of every
action is integrated into the system so it is easy to track who submitted
what and when, and all documents uploaded to the system are stored
for easy reference and retrieval.
Assignment submission deadlines

Each assignment has a “deadline” which is the final date of receipt by
the University for marking. For a TMA, the “deadline” is the last date for
the assignment to be submitted online. Submission of assignments by
fax and email will not be accepted, unless otherwise instructed. Please
refer to the Online Assignment Submission deadlines published in the
Academic Calendar on the Student Portal and on the WawasanLearn
for this semester.

You must submit assignments for a course in accordance with the
dates set by the University. However, a TMA may be submitted after
the final submission date for the assignment and be accepted for
marking if there are good reasons and provided that permission has
been obtained in advance for the extension of the final submission
date, as given below.
The approving authorities for assignment submission extension are as

follows:
1. if the assignment is to be submitted up to seven (7) days

after the final submission date for that assignment: the tutor
who is responsible for marking that assignment shall have
the discretion as to whether or not to accept it;
2. if the assignment is to be submitted later than seven (7) days,

but within 14 days after the final submission date for that
assignment: approval from the course coordinator of the
course is required;
3. under exceptional circumstances, if the assignment is to be

submitted later than 14 days but not more than 21 days after
the final submission date for that assignment: approval must
be obtained from the Dean and provided also that a member
of staff is available to mark the assignment.
In all cases of late submission of TMAs without prior approvals, there is

a 30% penalty imposed in the marks awarded for the said TMAs (new
students are given a one semester grace period and shall be exempted
from the 30% penalty ruling). However, the Course Coordinator will
still have the right to reject the assignment, in which case a zero score
shall be given for that assignment. You are therefore reminded to seek
prior approvals should you need an extension of the TMA submission
deadline.

Online application for extension of TMA submission must be submitted
through the Online Assignment Submission (OAS) System using the
Application for TMA Submission — Extension Request form (T-EX).
Note: No extension will be granted for the submission of the last TMA
due to the insufficient amount of time between feedback from tutors and
commencement of the examination period.
Now we will show you the procedure to submit your TMAs online. There
are nine steps that you need to follow to perform various actions on the
OAS.
Step 1: Accessing the website
• Key in this URL: http://assignment.wou.edu.my/ on your browser
• Key in your username and password

Step 2: Selecting the course and class
• Select the course and class for which you wish to submit your
assignment
Step 3: Selecting the appropriate TMA
• Select the appropriate TMA that you wish to submit

Step 4: Uploading and submitting the TMA file
• Locate and select the file that you wish to submit on your
computer and click the “Open” button
• Confirm the file that you are about to submit and click the
“Submit” button
Step 5: Confirming the submission of the TMA file
• Read the message box to confirm the file that you are about to
submit is correct and click the “OK” button

• A date and time indicating that your submission is successful
will appear

Step 6: Viewing the TMA result
• Click on the “Assignment Status” tab
• Click on the “Grade details” to view your grade

Step 7: Downloading the marked TMA
Step 8: Extension Request

Feedback details in the Extension Request form
Step 9: Re-submission Request

Feedback details in the Re-submission Request form
Summary
In this section, you were introduced to the online submission

system used by WOU. You were also taken on a journey through
the OAS, introduced to the various features and shown how to
use it to submit your assignments and request for extensions and
resubmissions. Finally you learnt how to retrieve your grades.

1.4 The WOU Digital Library
Objectives
1. Discuss the importance of digital libraries in open distance

learning.
2. Apply various strategies for using the WOU Digital Library.
Introduction
Traditional libraries comprise buildings constructed to house collections
of books, journals and other printed resource materials. You need to
physically move from shelf to shelf in search of the books you need. The
pictures below show what a traditional library normally looks like from
the outside and inside.

But the libraries you will be spending most of your time with in future
can be accessed from your computer. Thus, the ODL learning approach
requires that you learn to apply new skills to search for resources you
need by using not only the traditional libraries but also the libraries ‘in’
the computer. They are called digital libraries.
A digital library is defined as a collection of texts, images, etc.,

encoded to enable it to be stored, retrieved and read by you through
your computer. Within WOU’s portal, you will gain access to several
digital libraries that are open round-the-clock. Although the libraries
are not visible, they stock an enormous collection of digital reading
materials, such as books, journals and articles. Once you learn how
to use it, you can access a variety of information that will come in
useful when completing your TMAs or doing revision for your tests and
examinations.
The role of digital libraries in open distance

learning
Just like the LMS, digital libraries also play an important role in open
distance learning. Most of you are working people who may not have
time to visit traditional libraries. But you may need to use the library to
do reference for your assignments. This is where digital libraries come in.
• You can access it wherever you are: You need not go to the
library physically. You can visit the library at home, at the
Regional Office or at work, as long as you have an Internet
connection.
• Everyone has access to the digital libraries: The digital books

are available to everyone. However, most libraries require paid
subscriptions. But if you are a registered student in an institution
of higher learning (college or university), you will have automatic
access to the libraries that the institution subscribes to.

• The resources are available at all times: The digital books are
always available every single minute and second of the day. You
can access them anytime you wish.
• Resources are available synchronously or asynchronously:

The information is always available to you and your course
mates all over the country synchronously or asynchronously.
This means that all of you can view the book at the same time,
or view it at different times. So you can view and discuss a
particular chapter of a digital book with another course mate in
a different state!
• It provides a structured approach to locating information:

You can gain quicker access to much richer content in a more
structured manner. If you have located the book you want from
the catalogue, you can move instantly to the book. From there,
you can go straight to the chapter or subheading.
• It enables easy retrieval of information: What do you do if you

need specific information on a certain topic and do not know
which books to look for? Type a word, phrase or a sentence
and a list of results from the entire collection of the library will
be displayed for you to choose from. Digital libraries can provide
very user-friendly interfaces, giving you instant access to its
resources at a click of your mouse.
• The books are always well-preserved: Regardless of how many

times you or other users view the book; they will always be
in good condition — not torn, dirty or missing. Digital books
cannot be defaced or damaged.

• You can create your own virtual bookshelf: You can create a
virtual bookshelf for yourself. Then you can put a book you
want to refer to in future on the bookshelf, or stack it up with
hundreds of books. You can create your very own digital library
and you need not buy shelves or put up with restricted storage
space. When your room or house has no space for extension,
you can solve it by digitisation.
• You can network. What do you do if you cannot find a particular

book from one library? Digital libraries can provide a link to the
resources of other digital libraries very easily.
Now that you have seen what digital libraries can do for you, let us
introduce you to the WOU Digital Library and the strategies for using it.
Strategies for using the WOU digital library —

MyDigitalLibrary
The following is the WOU library web page. Look at the column on finding
information. Do you see the MyDigitalLibrary listed there? Click on it to
check the resources available.

The WOU digital library, commonly referred to as MyDigitalLibrary,
complements the traditional collection (course materials) and services of
the University. It contains various electronic resources such as electronic
databases, electronic journals and electronic books subscribed by the
library as well as electronic resources available in the Internet. Most
importantly, as a learner you can make use of all this information to
make significant progress in your studies here with us. MyDigitalLibrary
provides links to:
1. Electronic resources subscribed by the Library. These

include electronic journals, electronic books, electronic theses
and dissertations and other reference materials. Only registered
students and staff of WOU can access these resources.

2. Virtual reference resources that help you access freely
available Internet information sources.
3. Digital content created by WOU staff such as seminar and

conference papers, course materials, course reserves,
handbooks, prospectus, etc.
4. Library research guides on how to find library materials,

search the collections, cite sources, and more.
5. Subject guides on various topics such as Academic Writing,

Accounting, Business & Administration, Computer Science
and Engineering, Construction Management, English Language
Learning, Human Resources, Learning Skills, Legal Resources,
Malaysian Statistical sources, Malaysian Studies, Mathematics,
Psychology, World Religions etc.
6. Plagiarism and using Turnitin.com, an Internet-based

plagiarism checker.
7. Citation guides to using a number of citation styles when

referencing resources or citing in your assignments such as
Chicago Manual of Style, American Psychological Association
(APA) Citation Style and Modern Languages Association
(MLA) Citation Style.
8. Patron record section of the Library catalogue that will

enable registered WOU students and staff to check their
borrowing and fines records.
What do we mean by electronic resources? Electronic resources or

e-resources are Internet-based or online versions of print journals,
newspapers, books and other materials. In fact, more and more well
known journals are now being published in electronic format. As
mentioned above, these resources have a lot of advantages: they can

be read anywhere and there won’t be any missing or torn pages. But
are there any disadvantages? Yes! One major drawback of electronic
resources is comprehensiveness — electronic resources do not generally
date as far back as the printed materials. However, this scenario is now
changing as more and more materials are being converted to digital
format. Another drawback is that the digital format can be difficult
to read on computer screens, especially if there are multiple pages
involved.
In order to make the e-resources work for you, you need to know the
best way to use them. But of course, don’t just rely solely on electronic
resources if you want to produce a really good piece of work. You should
explore other Internet resources and the traditional collections at the
WOU Library to supplement your search.
Access to MyDigitalLibrary can generally be made from any computer

with Internet access either on or off campus. It is accessible to WOU
registered students and staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week regardless
of your location.
Among the resources currently subscribed and made accessible in

MyDigitalLibrary are:
E-book database
Databases Subject coverage
1. Books24X7 Business, finance, technology

2. eBrary Wide range of academic disciplines (business,
technology, social sciences, language, history,
education, law)
3. Cambridge Book Wide range of academic disciplines (business,
Online technology, social sciences, language, history,
education)

E-book database
4. Ebscohost eBook Wide range of academic disciplines (business,

Collection technology, social sciences, language, history,
education, law)
5. Oxford Reference Language and subject reference works
Online
E-journal database
1. EBSCOhost Business journals

Business Source
Complete
2. EBSCOhost Regional business publications covering all
Regional Business metropolitan and rural areas within the United
News States
3. Emerald Business, finance, knowledge management,
Management accounting, legal and library science
4. Computers & Computing and applied sciences disciplines.
Applied Sciences
Complete
5. JSTOR Art & Arts and sciences
Sciences
Collections
Other E-resources
1. ProQuest Theses Theses and dissertations on humanities and social

& Dissertations science subjects
2. CCH Malaysia Malaysian and Singapore tax and legislation
Master Tax

For more resources, go to: http://woulibrary.wou.edu.my/digital_lib/e-
resources.asp
MyDigitalLibrary also makes available e-journals. Journals are

periodicals presenting articles on a particular subject such as
Mathematics, business studies or information technology. You need
to go to the EBSCOhost Search Journals (Full Text) to find out the
list of journals subscribed by the Library. To gain access to these
journals, however, you will need WOU authentication. You need to
key-in your username and password. But do take note that some
resources can only be accessed from the Regional Offices due to
software restrictions. So, if you cannot access them from your home
or workplace, do consult the library staff at the Regional Office.
Some articles may also be available in ‘Portable Document Format’ or

PDF format. To read articles in this format, you need the Acrobat Reader
software which is available free of charge. But we do need to remind
you that the use of all online library resources is subject to copyright
restrictions which apply to both printing and downloading. If you fail to
observe the rules, you may be held liable. For example, if publishers
find out that you have printed or downloaded their materials without
permission, they have the right to take you to court.
Activity 1.4
Now that you are an open distance learner, describe how you plan
to use the digital library for:
1. doing your TMAs
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

2. preparing for your tutorials
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
3. doing your revision
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Summary
This section discussed the role of digital libraries in open distance

learning. As a learner pursuing a university degree via ODL, you
need various resources and these are made available via the
digital library. To help you further, this section also explained the
strategies for using the WOU Digital Library.

Suggested answers to activity
Feedback
Activity 1.4
1. Getting additional information from reference materials.

Checking information that I already have.
2. Reading up on the topic or getting additional reading materials

on the topic.
3. Trying exercises or self-tests that may be found in the reference

books in the library.

1.5 Search Strategies for
Information Retrieval
Objectives
1. Define what a search strategy is.
2. Describe the three main search strategies.
Introduction
If you want the current best-selling novel, you will know where to buy
it. Or if you want to watch the latest blockbuster movie, you will know
where to go. In case you can’t find the book you are looking for or
where the movie is being shown, you may ask family members, friends
or colleagues. When you ask others for information to find what you
need, you are actually employing a very simple form of search strategy.
However, you would need to equip yourself with more comprehensive,
effective and relevant search strategies to help you gather information
as a university student.
What is a search strategy?

Searching for information and books has changed significantly since
the days you used your school library. Although searching for books in
the traditional libraries have not changed much, you need to learn new
strategies for searching books online.

A strategy is a plan of action to be used to achieve a certain goal. An
important goal for you as a learner is to search for information. How do
you search for information in the quickest possible time? You make use
of search strategies, which are techniques or methods for getting the
information you want as fast as possible and with minimum hassle.
There are basically three main sources of information available online:
1. Library catalogue (OPAC)
2. Digital library
3. Internet
Searching for information from these three different sources therefore

requires three different search strategies:
1. Library catalogue (OPAC) search strategies.
2. Digital library search strategies.
3. Internet search strategies.
Library catalogue search strategies

First of all, what is a library catalogue? It is a search and discovery
tool that helps you locate the Library’s online and print collections in a
single search. It includes titles of printed books, audio-visual materials,
periodicals, and other materials owned by Wawasan Open University and
Disted College libraries. It also provides links to the full-text of books
and other e-resources purchased by the Library. The users can usually
access information about its collection at several computer terminals
within the library, or from elsewhere via the Internet. The catalogue can
also be used to check your borrowing record or to reserve books which

are out on loan. WOU Library catalogue is known as MyCatalogue. Where
is MyCatalogue located? It is slightly below MyDigitalLibrary search box.
Using MyCatalogue to locate library materials
To know the exact location of library materials, you will need to know
the following:
• how to use MyCatalogue effectively.
• how to manipulate the results.
• how to interpret the records.

Remember that finding the right materials will be easy once you know
how. Now, let us see how we can use the MyCatalogue to locate
library materials. Below is a sample of a WOU library book record after
a search:
You searched Library Catalogue — Anywhere: writing skills and

readings
Call Number PE1408 L243 2011
Author Langan, John
Title College writing skills with readings / John Langan
Publication New York : McGraw-Hill, 2011
Edition 8th ed.
Material Information xxi, 782 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 24 cm
Subject English language — Rhetoric
Subject English language — Grammar

Go through all the information on the sample library record. Note that all the
basic information is put into separate fields, i.e., the names of the author,
title, subject, call number, ISBN number, etc. are recorded separately.
MyCatalogue search strategies
The following are three examples of a search from MyCatalogue.
This search strategy by default is a keyword search where you search

library resource records for terms that might appear in the author, title and
subject. It is also be used in searching other academic library catalogues.
Step 1: Accessing the website
• Key in this URL: http://woulibrary.wou.edu.my/ on your browser
• Or access through WOU main page by selecting “TUN DR LIM

CHONG EU LIBRARY” under the “Facilities & Rental” tab

WOU Library main page
Search for e-resources
Step 2: Using the Search MyDigitalLibrary Service
• Begin by entering your search term
• Click the “Search” button

Step 3: Refine your search result
If there are too many records to review or if you use a specific set of
terms, the search may not reflect results to meet your need. In this case,
you can refine your search result using the Limiters.
• Limiters let you narrow the focus of your search so that the
information retrieved from the databases is limited according
to the values you have selected. You can use more than one
limiter if more than one limiter is available.

Step 4: To print/Save/E-mail the document
• Click on the article title. The link takes you to the citation
information and/or the full text.

Search for printed books, project reports, staff papers, news clips and
magazines
Step 1: Using Search MyCatalogue
• Begin by entering your search term
• Click the “Search” button

Step 2: Knowing information about the book
• The ‘Search Results’ screen will appear as shown below. Details

on the bibliographic records such as the author, title, publication
will looks as below.

Activity 1.5
Using the basic search method, locate titles for:
1. Study skills
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
2. Word Processing
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Using Boolean Logic or Connectors
Here you will learn how to conduct Keyword search using Boolean
logic or connectors. The connectors are commands that are used
to combine keywords to broaden or narrow the results of a search.
Combining terms using operators is sometimes called Boolean
searching. A Boolean logic broadens a search by incorporating
synonyms or alternate terms. For example, doctors or hospitals would
retrieve everything that mentions doctors in addition to everything that
mentions hospitals. They either let you broaden (increase) or narrow
(decrease) your searches.
Boolean logic are the words AND, OR, NOT, which are used to connect
search terms.
AND: narrows a search by requiring that both terms be present.

OR: broadens a search by incorporating synonyms or alternate
terms.
NOT: narrows a search by excluding terms.
The table below shows samples of Boolean searching with the three
search terms.
A search for marketing and promotion will

retrieve records in which BOTH of the search
marketing promotion
terms are present.
AND The shaded area represents all the records

that contain both the word marketing and
promotion.
A search for online learning or distance

online distance learning will retrieve records in which at least
learning learning one of the search terms is present.
OR The shaded circle with the word online

learning represents all the records that contain
the word online learning.
The shaded circle with the word distance

learning represents all the records that contain
the word distance learning.
The shaded overlap area represents all the

records that contain both online learning and
distance learning.
A search for consumers, not retailers, will
retrieve records in which only one of the
consumers retailers words is present.
NOT The shaded area with the word consumers

represents all the records that contain the
word consumers.
No records are retrieved in which the word

retailers is present, even if the word consumers
appears there too.

Now, let us see an example of keyword search using the operator ‘AND’.
The topic you wish to look up is ‘distance education AND quality’.
Step 1: Using the operator ‘AND’
• Type in “distance education” in the first search box.
• Type in “quality” in the second search box.
• Select Title from Search type:
• Select “AND” as the logical connector in the left column.
• Then click Search.

The next Keyword search using Boolean logic ‘OR’
Step 2: Using Boolean logic ‘OR’
• Type in “online learning” in the second search box.
• Select Title from Search type: for both search terms.
• Select “OR” as the logical connector in the left column.

The following are some of the results that you may find for “distance
education OR online learning”. There are 96 titles found in the library
collection.
The following is one sample of the titles you may find.
The next Keyword search using Boolean logic ‘NOT’
Step 3: Using Boolean logic ‘Not’
• Type in “Educational technology” in the second search box.
• Select Title from Search type: for both search terms.

• Select “NOT” as the logical connector in the left column.
The following are some of the results that you may obtain for ‘distance
education NOT educational technology’.
There are 77 titles found in the library collection.

The following is one sample of the titles you may find. To read the content,
click on View full-text here.
Using Truncation and Wildcards
Here are some additional tips to help you with your advanced keyword
search. Use the wildcard and truncation symbols to create searches where
there are unknown characters, multiple spellings or various endings. You
can use the first part of a word to find any word in a database that starts
with those letters.
Wildcards
The wildcard is represented by a question mark(?)
Use a question mark (?) to designate a single character. Use two question
marks to designate two characters, and so forth:
• Ho? will retrieve hop, hog, hot, etc.
• P?st will retrieve past, pest, post, etc.
• W??en will retrieve women, woven, widen, etc.

Truncation
Truncation is represented by an asterisk (*). To use truncation, type the

root of a search term and replace the ending with an *.
For example: comput? This will give you computer, computing,

computational, computers, etc.
This is a fast way to search for plurals or related words. The following
are some examples of how you can use question marks and asterisks
to help you in your search.
Asterisks: Use an asterisk (*) to designate one or more characters.
• If you type Mar with an asterisk like this Mar* you will retrieve
market, marketing, marketplace, margin, marathon, etc.
• if you type St*s will retrieve statistics, states, statements, etc.
Activity 1.6
1. Do a Boolean search on the following topics and write

down the results of your search in the space provided.
a. writing and skills
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

b. study skills or learning skills
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
c. research methods not statistics
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
2. Now, try doing a search for the following:
a. Co?t
_________________________________________________
b. Psy*
_________________________________________________
c. G?ion
_________________________________________________

Locating library materials
Apart from the digital library we discussed earlier, there are also two
traditional libraries that you can use as a learner at WOU. The first is
the main library located at the WOU headquarters and the second can
be found in your Regional Centres. In this section, you will learn how to
locate materials in these traditional libraries.
When viewing individual records in the library catalogue you will find a
BARCODE/CALL NUMBER/LOCATION/ITEM CLASS/STATUS box as
shown below:
Location Call number Barcode Status
HQ Library HD30.28 .D245 2003 0000004135 Available

RCIpoh KPG856 L477 2009 0000011464 Due 9/21/2014
RCJB KPG856 A135 2005 0000013656 Available
RCKL HD70 M4 B976 2012 0000021322 Available
RCKC HF5415.12 A8 L38 2007 0000006146 Due 4/28/2014
To locate the displayed item in the library:
1. Check whether the item status is available.
2. Copy the Call Number information.
3. Locate the book on the shelf. The call number is generally

taped to the bottom of the spine of each book or in the case
of “thin” book, at the bottom left hand corner of the book.

The Library uses the Library of Congress Classification Scheme to
assign call numbers to all books and other library materials, except
for WOU course materials and vertical file collection. This system
divides all knowledge into twenty-one basic classes, each identified by
a single letter of the alphabet. Most of these alphabetical classes are
further divided into more specific subclasses, identified by two-letter,
or occasionally three-letter, combinations. For example, class N, Art,
has subclasses NA, Architecture; NB, Sculpture, ND, Painting; as well
as several other subclasses.
What is a call number?
A call number is a sequence of letters and numbers used to identify the

subject matter of a particular item. It is used to determine the location
of an item on the shelves.
How to read call numbers?
When reading Call Numbers, take note of the following:
Book Title: Linear algebra: a modern introduction

Author: David Poole
Call Number: QA184.2 .P821 2006

QA The first line consists of letters that represent the general
subject of the item.
184.2 The second line is always a whole number from 1 – 9,999 and
these numbers represent the specific topic of the item. The
numbers 184.2 represent algebra, linear.
P821 The third line represents the cutter number assigned to the
author of the book.
2006 The fourth line may be a year of publication or volume number.

In this case 2006 represent the year the book was published.
Locating a library material on the shelf
• Books are shelved alphabetically according to the letter on the

first line.
• When books have more than one letter, the single lettered books
are first on the shelf (to the left), followed by those with double
letters. Example: in the H section, the order would be: H, HB,
HF, HV, etc.
• If the letters on the first line of the call number are the same, the
book with the smaller number on the second line is shelved to
the left of the book with the larger number. Example:
HB HB
Shelved before
30.28 171.5

• The books are then arranged according to the third line. Example:
HB HB
238 Shelved before 238
.M321 .M351
• Books with 4 lines call numbers are arranged as follows:
HB HB HB HB
30.28 30.28 238 238
F321 F321 .M321 .M35
Vol. 1 Vol. 2 2004 B67
Library of congress classification
As mentioned above, the Library of Congress (LC) classification system

organises books and other library materials by subject, to make it easier
for you to browse the shelves for materials on a specific topic. You are
encouraged to look at the shelf guide, placed on every row of the shelf
when locating a book.
An outline of the LC classification system is given in the Appendix. Use

it when searching for books.
For more information on the Library of Congress classification, go to:
1. http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/lcco/lcco.html (Accessed
6 April 2016)
2. http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/lcc.html (Accessed 6 April

2016)

Digital library search strategies
A digital library houses electronic books, journals, references, reports,
newspapers, etc. which are also known as online databases. As these
databases are in a digital format they are accessible online and you
can download and read them on your computer. You can save some of
the pages you need, and in some cases, you can download the whole
contents to be read later.
MyDigitalLibrary contain huge online databases and you can definitely

need search strategies in order to locate them. Once you have located
the contents you want, you can read them immediately.
How to find out which electronic resources contain the information you
need?
You must learn the correct way of searching the electronic resources to
improve the efficiency of your searches. This will definitely help you save
time and find what you are looking for more easily.
Now go to WawasanLearn and refer to our course home page. Under

resources for Tutorial 1, you will see a guide on finding electronic
resources. You can also find it at http://lib.colostate.edu/tutorials/
boolean.html (Accessed 6 April 2016)
Some points to bear in mind
Computer searches work best when you have very specific topics. If you
are looking for a broad topic, you must decide if you want everything in
that subject area or you want articles that give you a general overview.
This will determine the question you ask and the vocabulary you use in
your search.

Remember a successful computer search of databases depends on your
familiarity with the:
• search topic.
• contents and format of the database.
• search and display commands.
You also need to know that the computer only searches for words and
character strings, not “meanings”. Therefore you should be able to
break your question into parts that can be easily searched. For example,
you need to write a paper on ‘Reading Problems Faced by Part-time
Adult Learners’. You can break this topic into ‘Reading Problems’,
‘Part-time Adult Learners’ and/or ‘Adult Learners’.
A computer search does not find everything you need from your very
first entry — you will need to build on your searches. The references
you need may also not be available locally, so do the search through
Interlibrary Loans. Modify your search as you go along to retrieve more
information or to weed out unwanted citations.
Internet search strategies

The Internet does not resemble the library or a bookshop where the
books are neatly categorised and can be located through catalogues
and indexes. There are billions of files on the Web, and thousands of
new ones are being added every minute. Someone once compared
the Internet to a library with all the books pulled off the shelves and
thrown in a heap on the floor! Now try to find that book without any
system!

As you surf the Internet, you would probably realise by now that the
information here is not organised or indexed in any standard manner.
This makes searching for information a very difficult task. Without any
search strategies, looking for information would be like looking for a
needle in a haystack! For example, when you type the word ‘haze’ in
the Google search engine, you may come up with more than 20,00,000
results! It would obviously not be practical for me to go through every
single one of the results just to locate one single file. With the right
strategy, you should be able to find what you want in minutes.
Internet search strategies differ from OPAC search strategies and digital
library search techniques. OPAC and digital library search strategies are
more structured since we are searching for specific titles.
There are two important steps in a successful search strategy:
1. Know your topic: First, you must be clear what your topic is.
Identify the main words to be used in your search. What are
the main concepts in your topic? Next, determine the terms,
key words, synonyms, alternate spellings for the concepts.
2. Know your Internet Search Tools: Second, you need to know

which of the various search tools you intend to use. There are
search engines, meta search engines and subject directories.
Step 1: Know your topic
Here is an activity to help you in your search for information. Begin by

writing your topic in the box:
My Topic:

What are the words, phrases, synonyms, names, abbreviations, acronyms
that are uniquely associated with the topic? If you have phrases or
even sentences, put them within quotes so your search will turn up the
information exactly in that order. Write the words in the box.
Words associated with my topic:
What organisations, societies or groups may have the information you

are looking for? Their websites or homepages may carry the information
you are searching for or they may have links to other pages and sites.
Organisations or groups that may have information related to my topic:
You can make use of the Boolean Search Strategy here. Are there any
words you do not want to appear in your search? Are there any other
words you want to include in your search? Make use of the terms and,
not and or.
Boolean search with the terms and, not and or.

Step 2: Know your internet search tools
There are numerous search tools on the Internet. Making use of the topics,
words and phrases you have identified with different search tools can
provide you with very different results. You need to know what search
tools are available and what their special functions are. Here is a list of
the various tools and what they can do:
• URL address
If you know the web address of the information source, you can
go directly there. Just type the URL address, press Enter, and
you are directly linked to the site.
• Surfing and browsing
Browse through the various pages of the website. Select the links,
click on them, and you are taken to other pages and topics. You
may click on the links to other websites.
Internet search engines
Some of the more popular search engines are Google (www.google.

com), Yahoo (www.yahoo.com), Exalead (www.exalead.com/search), etc.
You can conduct searches using any of these search engines. Type the
keywords, phrases or even sentences in the search box. Decide which
of the results that turn up would contain the information you need.
Meta search engines
In a meta-search engine, you submit keywords in its search box, and

it transmits your search simultaneously to several individual search
engines and their databases of web pages. Within a few seconds,
you get back results from all the search engines queried. Examples

of meta search engines are kartoo (www.kartoo.com) and Dogpile
(www.dogpile.com). Shown below are the web pages of the two meta
search engines.

Subject directories
Subject directories websites are organised into categories with each

category containing links to various other sub-categories.
Digital libraries
You have already learnt about the digital library and how to use it.
This is an invaluable strategy in open distance learning to source for
information.
Databases
A database is a collection of data arranged for ease and speed of search

and retrieval. Some databases require you to subscribe and be a paid
member. However, there are lots of free databases of reference material
on specialised topics.
Newsgroups
A newsgroup is an area on a computer network, especially the Internet,

devoted to the discussion of a specified topic, for example: read
messages posted to newsgroups that discuss latest mobile phones.
Ask a question
Some search engines provide a service called ‘Ask a Question’. Yahoo,

for instance, has the ‘Ask Yahoo’ service. All you need to do is type your
question on the form provided and submit it. The authors of the site will
then try to answer your questions.

Blogs
The Oxford Dictionary of English, 2nd edn., (revised) 2005 defines a blog
as a personal website on which an individual records opinions, links to
other sites, etc. Blogs offer alternative viewpoints on news and other
subjects.
Activity 1.7
Now go back to the topic you chose earlier. Choose any three tools
(meta search engines, digital libraries or blogs) discussed above
and locate information on the topic ‘Open Distance Education’.
Write down the tools you used in the left-hand column and the
information in the right-hand column. Once you have completed
your search, compare the results you obtained with your course
mates who used the same tools.
Tools Information

Bibliography management tools
Bibliography management tools (also known as citation or reference

management tools) allows you to save, organize, and share your own
citation library, and format citations into a bibliography in the style of
your choice. There are many free software available on the internet for
you to choose but we like to recommend the followings:
1. Mendeley
Guidance is available from https://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=Gv6_HuCYExM (Accessed 6 April 2016)
2. Qiqqa
Guidance is available from http://www.qiqqa.com/download

(Accessed 6 April 2016)
Web Reference
For further information on the topic you have just read, you may
refer to the following websites:
1. http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/?TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/
MetaSearch.html (Accessed 6 April 2016)
2. http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/?TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/
SubjDirectories.html (Accessed 6 April 2016)

Summary
The three main sources of information online are library catalogue,

digital library and the Internet. Each of these sources requires
different search strategies. This section discussed the search
strategies related to these three online information sources.
Self-test 1.2
Conduct the following search for the topic ‘Personal development

for life and work’ and write down the results in the right-hand
column.
Item Results
Author
Call number
Subject

Self-test 1.3
1. List the differences between Boolean logic and truncation

in MyCatalogue search strategy:
a. _________________________________________________
b. _________________________________________________
c. _________________________________________________
2. Name three online databases in WOU’s MyDigitalLibrary:
a. _________________________________________________
b. _________________________________________________
c. _________________________________________________
3. Describe two steps in an Internet search strategy.
a. _________________________________________________
b. _________________________________________________
c. _________________________________________________

4. Name five Internet search tools.
a. _________________________________________________
b. _________________________________________________
c. _________________________________________________
d. _________________________________________________
e. _________________________________________________
Suggested answers to activities
Feedback
Activity 1.5
1. Study Skills Strategies by Uelaine Langefeld
2. Details! Details! Tailoring Mac (and other) Word Processing

Output by Becky Wright
Activity 1.6
1. a. College Writing with Readings by John Langan
b. Study Skills for Open Distance Learning by Open

University of Hong Kong

c. Business Research Methods by Donald R. Cooper and
Pamela S. Schindler
2. a. Cost — Cost Accounting
b. Psychology — Educational Psychology
c. Globalisation — Ethics of Globalisation
Activity 1.7
Tools Information
search engine — International Council for Open and Distance

Hotbot Education — www.icde.org
Meta-search engine UNESCO | Education — Open Distance
— dogpile Learning SPECIAL FOCUS. Regions/Countries.
Open Distance Learning ... International Council
for Open and Distance Education (ICDE), the
International Centre for Distance ... South
African Institute ... portal.unesco.org/education/
en/ev.php-URL_ID=34162...

Summary of Unit 1
Summary
In this unit of Learning Skills, you learnt all about the WOU website;
where important resources to assist you in this distance learning
programme are housed. These include WawasanLearn, OAS and
MyDigitalLibrary. Apart from knowing what resources there are,
you also learnt appropriate strategies such as OPAC and internet
search that will enable you to retrieve information or materials
more easily for your learning. As an open distance learner, it is
important that you learn how to carry out the different types of
search discussed in this unit. They will be very useful especially
when you need to read up for tutorials, complete assignments or
do your revision.

Suggested Answers to Self-tests
Feedback
Self-test 1.1
1. It is a software that helps to manage various learning

resources and distribute information to students.
2. a. Communicate with tutorial/course mates, tutors and

Course Coordinators.
b. Submit assignments.
c. Get the latest course related information.
3. a. Discussion board — communicate with tutorial mates.
b. Public forum — communicate with course mates from

other Regional Offices.
4. You can post your doubt either in the Discussion Board or

Public Forum. Email the tutor or Course Coordinator to clarify
the question.

Self-test 1.2
Item Results
Author Masters, L. Ann

Call number HF5381 M394 2011
Subject Personal development for life and work
Self-test 1.3
1. a. Basic search
b. Expert search
c. Advanced search
2. a. ebrary
b. NSTP — e-media
c. Books24x7
3. a. Know your topic
b. Know your internet search tool

4. a. Blogs
b. Subject directories
c. Databases
d. Newsgroups
e. Search engines

Appendix
A General Works
AC Collected Works
AE Encyclopaedias
AG Dictionaries and other general reference works
AI Indexes
AM Museums
AP Periodicals
AS Academics and Learned Societies
AY Yearbooks, Almanacs, Directories
AZ History of Scholarship and Learning
B Philosophy, Psychology, Religion
B History and Systems of Philosophy
BC Logic
BD Speculative Philosophy
BF Psychology
BH Aesthetics
BJ Ethics
BL Religions, Mythology, Rationalism
BM Judaism
BP Islam, Baha’ism, Theosophy
BQ Buddhism
BR Christianity (General)

B Philosophy, Psychology, Religion
BS The Bible
BT Doctrinal Theology
BV Practical Theology
BX Denominations and Sects
C Auxiliary Sciences of History
CB History of Civilization and Culture
CC Archaeology (General)
CD Diplomatics, Archives, Seals
CE Chronology
CJ Numismatics
CN Epigraphy
CR Heraldry
CS Genealogy
CT Biography (General)
D History (except America)
D History (General)
DA Great Britain
DAW Central Europe
DB Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary
DC France
DD Germany
DE Mediterranean, Greco-Roman World

D History (except America)
DG Italy
DH – DJ Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg
DJK Eastern Europe
DK Russia and Poland
DL Northern Europe and Scandinavia
DP Spain and Portugal
DR Eastern Europe and Turkey
DS Asia
DT Africa
DU Oceania, Australia, New Zealand
E –F History: America and United States
E America (General) and United States
F1 – F975 United States (local history)
F1001 – F1140 Canada
F1201 – F1392 Mexico
F1401 – F3799 Central and South American, Caribbean
G Geography, Anthropology
G Geography (General)
GA Mathematical Geography, Cartography
GB Physical Geography
GC Oceanography
GE Environmental Sciences

G Geography, Anthropology
GF Human Ecology
GN Anthropology, Ethnology, Ethnography
GR Folklore
GT Manners and Customs
GV Sports and Recreation
H Social Sciences
H Social Sciences (General)
HA Statistics
HB Economic Theory
HC Economic History and Conditions
HD Land, Agriculture, Industry
HE Transportation and Communication
HF Commerce
HG Finance
HJ Public Finance
HM Sociology
HN Social History
HQ Social Groups
HS Societies and Clubs
HT Communities, Classes, Races
HV Social Pathology, Criminology, Welfare
HX Communism, Socialism, Anarchism

J Political Science
J Official Documents
JA Collections and General Works
JC Political Theory
JK Constitutional History and Administration
JS Local Government
JV Colonisation, Emigration and Immigration
JK International Law, International Relations
K Law
K Law (General)
KF United States Law
L Education
LC Special Aspects
LD U.S. Educational Institutions
LH College and School Publications
LJ Student Fraternities and Societies
LT Textbooks (General)
M Music
M Music Scores
ML Literature of Music
MT Music Instruction and Study

N Fine Arts
N Visual Arts (General)
NA Architecture
NB Sculpture
NC Graphic Arts (Drawing, Design, Illustration)
ND Painting
NE Print Media
NK Decorative and Applied Arts
NX Arts in general
P Language and Literature
P Linguistics
PA Classical Philology (Greek and Latin)
PB Modern European Languages, Celtic Languages
PC Romance Languages
PD Old Germanic and Scandinavian Languages
PE English Language
PF Dutch, Flemish, and German Languages
PG Slavic Languages and Literature
PH Finno-Ugrian, Basque Languages & Literature
PJ – PL Oriental Languages
PM American Indian and Artificial Languages
PN Literature, Literary History and Collections
PQ Romance Literature
PR English Literature

P Language and Literature
PS American Literature
PT German Literature
PZ Children’s Literature
Q Science
Q Science (General)
QA Mathematics
QB Astronomy
QC Physics
QD Chemistry
QE Geology
QH Natural History, Biology
QK Botany
QL Zoology
QM Human Anatomy
QP Physiology
QR Microbiology
R Medicine
R Medicine (General)
RA Public Aspects of Medicine
RB Pathology
RC Internal Medicine
RD Surgery

R Medicine
RE Ophthalmology
RG Gynaecology and Obstetrics
RJ Paediatrics
RK Dentistry
RL Dermatology
RM Therapeutics, Pharmacology
RS Pharmacy and Materia Medica
RT Nursing
RV Botanic, Thomsonian and Eclectic Medicine
RX Homeopathy
RZ Other Systems of Medicine
S Agriculture
S Agriculture (General)
SB Plant Culture
SD Forestry
SF Animal Culture
SH Aquaculture, Fisheries, Fishing
SK Hunting
T Technology and Engineering
T Technology (General)
TA – TJ Engineering
TK Electronics and Electrical Engineering

T Technology and Engineering
TL Motor Vehicles, Aeronautics, Astronautics
TN Mining and Metallurgy
TP Chemical Technology
TR Photography
TS Manufactures
TT Handicrafts, Arts and Crafts
TX Home Economics and Cooking
U Military Science
V Naval Science
Z History of Books, Library Science, Bibliography
For a complete list of the classification scheme, please visit https://www.

loc.gov/catdir/cpso/lcco/

COURSE TEAM
Course Team Coordinator: Ms. Jasmine Selvarani Emmanuel
Content Writers: Dr. Tan Soon Yin, Mr. Fan Kok Keong and Ms. Jasmine Selvarani Emmanuel
Instructional Designer: Dr. Ng Wai Kong
Academic Member: Professor Cheah Kooi Guan
COURSE COORDINATOR
Ms. Jasmine Selvarani Emmanuel
EXTERNAL COURSE ASSESSOR

Associate Professor Dr. K. Ramanathan, Centre for Distance Education, University Sains Malaysia
PRODUCTION
Editor: Mr. William Desmond De Zeeuw
In-house Editors: Mr. Khoo Chiew Keen, Ms. Koh Kah Ling,
Ms. Michelle Loh Woon Har and Ms. Ch’ng Lay Kee
Graphic Designers: Ms. Audrey Yeong, Ms. Leong Yin Ling and Ms. Chrisvie Ong
Wawasan Open University is Malaysia’s first private not-for-profit tertiary institution dedicated to
adult learners. It is funded by the Wawasan Education Foundation, a tax-exempt entity established
by the Malaysian People’s Movement Party (Gerakan) and supported by the Yeap Chor Ee Charitable
and Endowment Trusts, other charities, corporations, members of the public and occasional grants
from the Government of Malaysia.
The course material development of the university is funded by Yeap Chor Ee Charitable and
Endowment Trusts.
© 2007 Wawasan Open University
First revision 2010, Second revision 2014, Third revision 2016
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without prior written permission from WOU.
Wawasan Open University

(KPT/JPT/DFT/US/P01)
Wholly owned by Wawasan Open University Sdn. Bhd. (700364-W)
54, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 Penang.
Tel: (604) 2180333 Fax: (604) 2279214
Email: enquiry@wou.edu.my
Website: www.wou.edu.my

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WUC 131/03

Learning Skills for

1.1 The WOU’s website 4

How to access the WOU website 6

Main features of WOU’s website 9

Suggested answers to activity 12

1.2 Learning management system 13

Open distance learning and the LMS 14

The functions of the WOU LMS — WawasanLearn 15

Suggested answers to activities 22

1.3 Online assignment system 23

Advantages of using the OAS 23

Assignment submission deadlines 24

The role of digital libraries in open distance learning 35

Strategies for using the WOU digital library — MyDigitalLibrary 37

Suggested answers to activity 44

1.5 Search strategies for information retrieval 45

What is a search strategy? 45

Library catalogue search strategies 46

Locating library materials 64

Digital library search strategies 68

Internet search strategies 69

Suggested answers to activities 79

Suggested answers to self-tests 82

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

1. Develop strategies for utilising WOU’s website, learning

2. Explain the various modes of open distance learning.

3. Apply effective learning and stress management styles to

4. Demonstrate skills and strategies they can use to handle

5. Use appropriate academic writing and oral presentation

1 WUC 131/03 Learning Skills for University Studies

UNIT 1 WOU’s website and basic search 2

1. Describe the main features of WOU’s website and list

2. Describe the concepts and functions of the WOU Learning

3. Explain the concept of digital libraries and elaborate on

4. Describe the WOU digital library and the strategies for

3 WUC 131/03 Learning Skills for University Studies

By the end of this section, you should be able to:

1. Describe how to access the WOU website.

2. Identify the main features available on the WOU website.

UNIT 1 WOU’s website and basic search 4

Today, websites disseminate information on just about anything

5 WUC 131/03 Learning Skills for University Studies

Mozilla Firefox icon

UNIT 1 WOU’s website and basic search 6

7 WUC 131/03 Learning Skills for University Studies

UNIT 1 WOU’s website and basic search 8

Main features of WOU’s website

9 WUC 131/03 Learning Skills for University Studies

1. When you refer to www.wou.edu.my, you can see a short

2. Which of the features in the WOU website tells you about:

a. the benefits of being an open distance learner:

b. the grading system used by WOU for your tests and

c. semester structure used by WOU:

UNIT 1 WOU’s website and basic search 10

e. accreditation of the WOU courses:

To read more about the topic, go to:

In this section, you learnt how to access the WOU website.

11 WUC 131/03 Learning Skills for University Studies

1. It says that WOU offers working people a chance to

2. a. ODL — What’s That?

c. Study With Us — All you need to know

d. News Room — Logo rationale