Ako Ipurangi: Learning Online
Kia ora koutou, and welcome to Ako Ipurangi: Learning Online
Instructions: Clicking on the section name will show / hide the section.
Course content:
Working through the topics of this guide in order will give you a comprehensive overview of everything you need to learn successfully online.
Alternatively, you can click the names of the topics below to go directly to them.
Topic |
Contents |
1. Learning online: course overview |
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Go here if you have any issues or questions that aren’t addressed in this guide. |
How to use this course:
While you can work through the units of this course in sequence making notes as you go, we suggest using it more as a reference resource:
1. Start by having a look through the units so that you have an outline understanding of what information is included and where. Don't worry about making notes or retaining any specific information at this stage.
2. Go to My NorthTec, your student homepage (instructions in Topic 2: Where do I start?), and have a look around. Start with 'Library', 'NorthNet' and 'Office 365'.
3. As soon as you have a question about any aspect of My NorthTec or online learning, return to this course and see if you can find an answer. Rather than read passively or take notes, follow the instructions step-by-step. Most aspects of online learning are definitely best learnt by having a go yourself.
To begin, click on Topic 2 'Getting started' to see its contents.
Topic 2 'Getting started' answers the following questions:
Click on the questions above to go directly to them.You can access everything you need for online learning through My NorthTec - your student homepage. To access My NorthTec, follow the steps below.
Use the arrows under the instructions to move through the steps, or click on the progress bar.
You are reading NorthTec's guide to learning online. You are accessing the guide through NorthNet, which is NorthTec's online learning platform. You will be using NorthNet to access all your online course materials, and to communicate with your tutor
and other students.
To access NorthNet again, follow the steps below.
The main tools you will be using to learn online and how to access them are covered in Topic 3 'Online learning essentials'.
This section focuses on the computer hardware and software you will need to access these tools and ensure they perform reliably.
Refer to the table below to check that you have everything you need for a trouble-free online learning experience.
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At home |
Mobile |
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Windows PC |
Mac |
Chromebook |
Windows for Mobile |
iOS |
Android |
Getting online |
For the best experience, you will need a broadband internet connection – either ADSL or Fibre. Online learning – particularly video-based lessons – can use a lot of data, so make sure your plan has enough to cover both your online study and personal use. |
If you intend to study on-the-go, you will need a mobile plan with a generous data allowance. Several providers are now offering plans with unlimited data.
Remember that when you are on campus and in many other public facilities, you can make use of the free wifi network. You can find instructions on how to connect your device to the NorthTec wireless network here.
If you plan to use your mobile device at home and you have a domestic broadband connection, make sure you connect your mobile device to this network when you are at home to save on mobile data. |
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Accessing the internet |
All modern devices come with software installed that enables you to access the internet. It therefore shouldn’t be necessary to install any software in order to get online. However, different devices have different internet browsers installed. These differ slightly in their design and layout, but they present website content in much the same way. You can therefore use any of these browsers to access your online course materials. You can also install an alternative browser if there is one you prefer, e.g. Firefox. |
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Your default browser is Edge |
Your default browser is Safari |
Your default browser is Chrome |
Your default browser is Edge |
Your default browser is Safari |
Your default browser is Chrome |
Accessing NorthTec learning resources |
All NorthTec’s online learning resources – including NorthNet and the library – are accessed via your browser. Go to www.northtec.ac.nz/mynorthtec to get started. |
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Reading documents |
Most documents can be viewed online using your browser. However, you may need to download some documents in order to read them, especially if you want to have access to them offline. These will typically be in PDF format. All modern desktop and mobile devices have PDF reading software installed by default, which will open automatically when you click on a PDF document you want to read. However, there are alternative PDF readers that provide additional functionality, including making annotations. |
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Adobe Reader is the most popular PDF reader for Windows and comes pre-installed on many devices. If you have a Google account, you can also read and edit PDFs using Google Docs. |
The default PDF viewer Preview allows you to both read and make basic annotations to PDF documents. If you have a Google account, you can also read and edit PDFs using Google Docs. |
Google Docs allows you to read a wide variety of document formats. Provided you have an internet connection, you can also use it to edit PDFs. You can then download these and read them offline. |
Although you can read PDFs in Edge, Perfect PDF Reader – which is free to use – offers a more stable experience. If you have a Google account, you can also read and edit PDFs using Google Docs. |
Files allows you to read and annotate a wide variety of document formats. If you have a Google account, you can also read and edit PDFs using Google Docs. |
PDFelement allows you to read and annotate PDF documents. If you have a Google account, you can also read and edit PDFs using Google Docs. |
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Playing audio and video |
All modern devices can play video and audio content via their web browser. Most audio and video files you download to your computer or mobile device can also be played using your device’s pre-installed media software. If you have problems listening to or watching any of the media content from your course, download a free, versatile media player like VLC (https://vlc.onl) which is available for all desktop and mobile platforms. |
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Your default media player is Groove, Music or Windows Media Player |
Your default video player is Quick Time and your default audio player is Music |
Chrome OS has a native media player which can play most video and audio files |
Your default media player is Groove, Music or Windows Media Player |
Your default audio player is Music and your default video player is TV |
Your default audio and video players will depend on the version of Android you are running |
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Completing assignments |
All NorthTec students have free access to Office 365. Just got to http://www.northtec.ac.nz/mynorthtec and click ‘Office 365’ to get started. You can also download and install the Office apps on your device so you can continue to work on your assignments offline. |
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Attending online classes |
Online classes are conducted using Zoom. You can find instructions on how to download and install Zoom here, and there are video tutorials on the Zoom support website. In order to participate fully, you will need both a microphone and webcam. These come as standard on most modern laptops and all mobile devices. However, if you’re using a desktop computer, you may need to source a webcam and microphone headset separately. When you start Zoom, you will have an opportunity to check that your device is working correctly before you join the class. |
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Getting help |
If you are having technical difficulties, first check the ICT self-help guides, which you can find here.
If the self-help guides do not resolve your issue, you can contact the ICT Service Desk in the following ways:
The Service Desk is available Monday to Friday from 7:30am - 5pm.
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To access Moodle from your mobile device, you need to install and sign into the Moodle mobile app.
Follow the instructions on how to do this below for both Android and iPhone.
Download this PDF if you want to save a copy of this table for your own reference.
Topic 3 'Online learning essentials' answers the following questions:
Click on the questions above to go directly to them.
All NorthTec students have free access to Microsoft Office 365 via My NorthTec. You can also download Office software so you can continue to work on your assignments when you're not connected to the internet.
Follow the steps below to find out more.
Follow the steps below to navigate to NorthTec Te Pūkenga Library webpages.
Topic 4 'Communicating effectively online' answers the following questions:
Click on the questions above to go directly to them.
If you have online classes, you will have regular opportunities to communicate with your tutor and other students via Zoom (see Topic 3 for more information about installing and using Zoom).
Between classes, NorthNet has a variety of tools which you can use to communicate with your tutor and other students:
The following sections of this Topic explain in more detail what these communication tools are and how to use them.
Messaging is NorthNet's instant messaging tool. It enables you to exchange private messages with your tutor and other students. It is very similar to other instant messaging tools you may have used, like Facebook Messenger.
To use the Messaging tool, follow the steps below.
Chats - like Messaging - are a means of communicating with your tutor and other students in real time.
The difference between Chats and Messaging is that Chats are created by your tutor for a specific purpose, and all participants communicate via the same chatroom. This contrasts with Messaging where you may have multiple separate chats with different people, and you can use Messaging at any time.
Your tutor may use Chat to give you a means of communicating with other students during an activity in an online class.
Follow the steps below to find out more about Chats and how to use them.
This is an example Chat.
Forums are similar to Chats in that they enable you to exchange ideas with your tutor and other students on a particular topic. However, unlike Chats, Forum discussions are not intended to take place in real time. Contributions to discussions are displayed in chronological order on a messaging board - similar to a Facebook wall - and participants can read them and respond at any time.
Follow the steps below to learn more about how to use Forums.
This is an example Forum.
What are the key differences between Messaging, Chat and Forums?
NorthNet communication tools compared |
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Messaging |
Chats |
Forums |
Access |
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Availability |
Any time |
Times scheduled by your tutor – typically during online classes |
Any time |
Interaction type |
Real-time if all participants are online – messages are sent and received instantly and cannot be edited |
Real-time – posts are displayed instantly and cannot be edited |
Asynchronous – posts can be edited after they are published, and other participants can read and reply any time |
Audience |
Private – visible to specific individuals or groups |
Public – visible to all course participants and your tutor |
Public – visible to all course participants and your tutor |
Format |
Text only |
Text only |
Text, media and files |
Typical use |
Communicating instantly with other students for a variety of study-related purposes |
Collaborating with other students during an online class |
Discussing a topic or question with other students as part of an assignment |
You may already be used to using text-based messaging services (WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, etc.) to communicate with friends and family. On the face of it, NorthNet's Messaging, Chat and Forum tools are very similar.
However, an important difference between NorthNet and social media is that it's likely you will be communicating with people who don't know you and who you have never met face-to-face. This has some important implications for how you should communicate.
Read the guidelines below, and try to follow them when you are interacting with your tutor and other students.
What makes a successful online learner?
Perhaps the greatest benefit of online learning is its flexibility - apart from assignment deadlines and exams (if you have any), you decide when, where and how much to study. However, this is also one of the great challenges of online study because of the self-discipline and self-management required.
Read the guidance below from the Open Polytechnic to learn about:
If the self-help guides do not resolve your issue, you can contact the ICT Service Desk by email, phone and in person. You can find the ICT Service Desk in the library.
The ICT Service Desk is available in the library Monday to Thursday 8am-5pm and Friday 8am-4pm then 4-5pm by email or phone.
There are various digital support services available in the library. Need more help? Ask a Librarian.