Academic Integrity
Online Learning Tips
Netiquette Guidelines

Academic Integrity word cloud

Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner. Both students and instructors are expected to obey rules of honest scholarship.

Academic misconduct--cheating--is not just "against the rules." It violates the assumptions at the heart of all learning. It destroys the mutual trust and respect that should exist between student and professor. It is unfair to students who earn their grades honestly.

Upholding academic integrity means:

Developing and conveying your own ideas in course work;
Identifying all sources of information;
Acknowledging collaboration when assignments aren't completed independently;
Accurately reporting results when conducting your own research or with respect to labs;
Honesty during quizzes and exams.

For more information please visit our academic policies through SBVC's Academic Integrity web page.

computer mouse on a desk

Taking an online course is different than going to a classroom, and to be successful you'll need to strengthen skills like working independently, budgeting your time and staying organized.

Here are 5 basic tips to help you make the most of your time online:

Set a weekly study schedule - and stick to it. Completing the reading, discussion posts and assignments in an online class can be challenging, especially when you're juggling multiple responsibilities. It's no coincidence that one study found that 79% of students identified time management as critical to their online success.
Create a study space. Finding a space to work where you won’t be disturbed and can set up (at your house, in the library or wherever works for you) will help you stay focused and keep your study materials organized.
Get started on readings and assignments early. Students often say the "need the pressure" of waiting until the last minute, but the truth is procrastinating causes unnecessary stress and leads to less-than-quality work.
Communicate regularly with your instructor. Besides getting your questions answered, establishing a working relationship with your instructor is essential for expanding your professional network and developing a list of references you can use for career purposes. (Your instructor really does want to help you!)
Engage with your classmates.
Taking an online course should be more than sitting in front of a computer — real engagement involves becoming a part of the community of learners.

Taking an online course should be more than sitting in front of a computer — real engagement involves becoming a part of the community of learners.

Building a few supportive relationships with my classmates is critical because as an online student, it would be easy to miss the camaraderie that often exists in a traditional classroom. That same camaraderie online motivates and keeps me engaged in classes.
You'll increase your chances of online success if you don't feel like a solo student doing homework online. Building even a few supportive connections with classmates will help you be more engaged, develop positive attitudes towards the class, and makes the environment feel safer for sharing.

Resources:

OEI Student Success Resources

8-Minute Exercise that Helps Online Learning Success

stylized script of word "netiquette"

"Netiquette" is network etiquette, the do's and don'ts of online communication. Netiquette covers both common courtesy online and the informal "rules of the road" of cyberspace.

[Read an accessible text-version of this infographic.]

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