Top 5 for Friday - Learning from a Distance

I had a particularly enjoyable evening last night, together with 150 other students ranging from youngsters to those with greying or no hair, who received their diplomas and degrees for study carried out with the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand. That's study by correspondence and self motivation at the same time as we are working, caring for families and carrying on with all the other things that life has to throw at us. So as you can imagine there were some huge smiles beaming across the stage and some jubilant reactions from graduates and their families as achievements were celebrated.

So I am going to take as my theme for the Top 5 today - Learning from a Distance and how your library can help you.

1. Learning how to study again : a practical guide to study skills for mature students returning to education or distance learning / Catherine Dawson. For those returning (or thinking of returning) to education, it takes a bit to get your head around how it all works in the 21st Century. This book will help you.


2. Studying at a Distance : A guide for students / Christine J. Talbot. Contents include Preparing for the task ahead -- Know yourself as a learner -- E-learning -- Practicalities of studying -- Getting support -- Resources for studying -- Making the most of your distance learning experience -- Doing your research project -- Course-specific information -- Understanding Learning.


3. The learning revolution : a lifelong learning programme for the world's finest computer : your amazing brain / Gordon Dryden and Jeannette Vos. It's a book that's been around since the early 1990's but which has been reissued several times.


4. Whoa, my boss is naked! : a career book for people who would never be caught dead reading a career book / Jake Greene. So it's not strictly for those who are, or have done, distance learning. But getting your qualification is not the end of the story - just the beginning of your journey. And you have to admit it's a bit of a catchy title. So even if you are not a member of the generation "born with a remote in their hand" you will still be able to read this and have a laugh.


5. Easily the best : the life of Helen Connon (1857-1903) / Margaret Lovell-Smith. When you are studying, it's sometimes hard to fit in some reading for relaxation. It's also very hard to keep up the motivation. Give yourself a break and read a biography about some of the people who have been where you are, and succeeded. Helen was a New Zealander and was the first Honours Graduate in the British Empire when she received her Master of Arts degree in 1881. As you can imagine, it was not easy. Be inspired.

Libraries can also provide spaces to study, free computer/wifi access and help on finding those hard-to-locate resources. Your librarian is an information professional and we are here to help you (we also got a huge plug and message of support from Auckland Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse who was the guest speaker last night).

Congratulations to all my fellow graduates and those who received diplomas and certificates. Pat yourself on the back and take the weekend off.