The internet is a powerful tool for student research. Instead of spending hours in a library poring over dusty old books, students can now find more information than they need in the blink of an eye. However, using Google for research effectively still requires research skills - in particular, the ability so sift through and evaluate masses of information from sometimes questionable sources. Here are ten tips for excellent Google research:

1.) Many students instinctively go to Wikipedia for their information. This is not necessarily a bad thing as long as you use the site for basic reference information and finding further sources, but you should never cite Wikipedia it in your papers.

2) Learn how to properly cite websites - your professor and other readers will want to know where exactly you got the information you include in the project.

3) Be careful when relying on or citing questionable sources, such as random blogs or websites. You want to make sure you are getting accurate, unbiased information, and it’s often hard to track down the sources of information on some of these sites.

4) Instead, try to focus more on authoritative websites. Sites ending with .gov or .edu are a great place to start.

5) Look for official sources of information when looking through the Google results. What counts as ‘official’ depends on your project. If you are writing about a health topic, you may want to trust a site like WebMD over Joe’s Medical Blog, unless you have a good reason to trust Joe!

6) Use Google to find other databases that may contain papers, articles, and other information pertinent for your project.

7) Google can return search results to you beyond the simple website or blog, such as primary sources. You may benefit from using these sources, like official documents, letters, and journals, depending on your project.
Many newspapers and other periodicals are included in Google’s index, so make use of these sources if you find them in your search results.

9) Check Google Books - the full texts of many scholarly books are available here.

10) Finally, use Google scholar to find the best sources of all - peer reviewed, scholarly articles from journals in your field of interest.

The key to success while attending online universities is reliability. Students need computers and programs that have a history of dependability to ensure proper working mechanics during testing. The three main internet browsers that students use to access online university website are Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

Developed by Google, Chrome is an internet browser that has been touted as the fastest web browser available. First released in 2008, Google Chrome has been marked as a premiere web browser for users. The key features for Google Chrome revolve around the improved security, speed and stability. These are the factors that will give students of online universities piece of mind in simple process such as purchasing books online or taking a test. The strength of Google Chrome is in the process of Java script applications. For security, Chrome downloads and updates two blacklists for phishing and malware. Malware infects computers and causes programs to malfunction. This is bad for students as malware can cause web browser windows to close automatically. Malware can prevent students from accessing the online university website. Google Chrome actively prevents malware from installing on each tab.

The next web browser that students can use to attend online universities is Mozilla Firefox. Firefox is a long running program that was initially released in 2004. That is four years earlier than competitor Google Chrome. The key for student success with using Mozilla Firefox are the add-on functions. Students can customize the web browser according to their needs. For instance, there is a plug in for Firefox called web leech. The purpose of web leech is to block internet sites such as Facebook and Myspace. Settings can limit access to these sites during designated online class times to allow the student the opportunity to focus.

Firefox and Chrome are the web browsers that students should use for online college. The reliability and security of both web browsers will give the student piece of mind during hard test taking times.

If you’re pursuing a degree at an online university, college, or trade school, you know the importance of having a good word processing application. Microsoft’s Word is the standard by which all other word processing software is measured against, but it is quite expensive. Below are ten more economical alternatives to Microsoft Word, which offer many of the same features at a fraction of the price or even for free.

1. OpenOffice.org

Open Office is a free alternative to Microsoft Word. Offered by Sun Microsystems, Open Office includes many of the benefits of Microsoft Word including templates, document migration, bullet lists, adding art, database access, and much more. Open Office also has a large number of free plug ins that can be installed to increase its functionality. One negative aspect about Open Office is that it lacks a built in grammar checker, which is an important feature for all online students to have for their term papers and essays.

2. AbiWord

AbiWord is another free word processing application that is similar in design to Microsoft Word. AbiWord is available for a number of platforms including windows, linux, and Free BSD. More recent versions of Abiword also include integration with AbiCollab.net, which allows users from different locations to work on the same document simultaneously.

3. QJot

QJot is a small word processing program that was written specifically to allow users to read and write .doc files, the format in which Microsoft Word saves its files by default. Like the previous programs in this list, QJot is free for download for Windows.

4. Jarte

Jarte will also allow you to edit and write .doc files. There are two version of Jarte. The free version of Jarte provides basic functionality and compatibility with Word files, while the enhanced version called Jarte Plus costs a small fee. Jarte Plus features a PDF manual, spellchecker, auto-correction, and enhanced customization.

5. Google Docs

Google Docs is an online word processing tool developed by online giant Google. Users need to have a Google account before using the software. It provides basic word processing functionality and allows you to save files online for quick and easy access.

6. Zoho Writer

Zoho Writer is another online word processing program. Like Google Docs, you must register with Zoho Writer in order to use the program. Zoho Writer provides basic word processing functionality, allows users to collaborate on projects, and supports import and export of files. Zoho Writer also allows you to post directly to blogs using its software.

7. ThinkFree Writer

ThinkFree Writer is also available for online use as a word processor, but is also available for a small fee as a desktop word processing program. Like Google Docs and Zoho Writer, the program lacks all the bells and whistles of programs like Word, but for general typing, it has more than enough features.

8. Ajax Write

Ajax Write features the ability to read and write Microsoft Word files. Students using the Firefox web browser have added functionality when using Ajax Write. By typing in the website for the tool in the address bar, the program will open immediately.

9. Adobe Buzzword

Adobe Buzzword is a free, online word processing program that is currently in beta testing. Like many other online tools, Buzzword allows for collaboration and importing and exporting various types of document files.

10. gOffice

GOffice provides basic word processing support in a user friendly environment. It is available online, requiring users to create an account before using the service.

Receiving a thorough education is important; online students must be sure to practice good communication with instructors in order to get the most of what they are learning. Online classes usually involve communication via e-mail with instructors. Following is a list of 10 tips for writing an effective e-mail to a professor.

1. Make the subject line relate to the e-mail. Avoid writing things such as “question” or “important;” it is better to write something more explanatory, such as “question about economics assignment.”

2. Be sure to address the professor respectfully. Unless he or she instructs otherwise in the syllabus, address the instructor as “Professor,” accompanied by their last name.

3. Keep the e-mail concise and simple; online instructors receive many e-mails and have a busy schedule, so it is best to keep the message as short as possible.

4. Include the necessary self-identification information for the professor’s convenience; name and student number should be sufficient. Avoid sensitive information, such as a birth-date and social security number.

5. Remember to use e-mail etiquette, commonly called “netiquette,” since non-verbal messages may sometimes seem cold, rude or angry without proper etiquette. Most instructors include detailed instructions for proper netiquette in the syllabus or supplemental material.

6. Try to focus on only one or two subjects. Avoid contacting the professor with multiple issues in one message, unless absolutely necessary. The more subjects are covered in one message, the more confusing it will be.

7. Avoid using attachments in an e-mail message, unless they are necessary and the instructor has approved them. Only send an attachment if permission is obtained or the professor requests it specifically.

8. Proofreading a message before sending it is important. E-mails to a professor should not be formatted the same way an e-mail to a friend would be; they should be in letter format.

9. Be sure the message makes sense. Read it as if thinking from the professor’s perspective, ensuring that no important information has been omitted.

10. Sign the e-mail respectfully and properly, using “respectfully yours” or “sincerely” instead of simply signing by first and last names.

When you are studying at an online university, it is natural that a computer becomes a powerful tool for your studies. You need to make that tool as useful as possible, and can do so by having the right accessories to use with it. In a computer’s case, that means having the right programs to help you make the most of the wonderful opportunities an online university provides. Here are the top ten computer programs to help you study for classes at an online university.

1. Focus Booster: This handy tool has a timer that runs in the background and gives out a little sound every so often. It is a great way to keep focused.

2. Toogl: This is an online tool that you will help you keep track of how much time you spend studying. It stores it all in a very accessible chart for you.

3. ITunes: Music is a great way to keep your energy level up, as well as to help your focus and information retention.

4. RecallPlus: This is a tool that will help you learn how to take notes, as well as how to study the notes with improved retention of the material.

5. VLC Media Player: Great for watching videos for a study break. Try and take a study break every hour for ten minutes.

6. Google Chrome: The best internet browser on the market.

7. WordQuiz: This vocabulary building tool will help you to get better grades on the papers you write, as well as help you earn the respect of your peers and professors.

8. StudyProf Flash Cards: This software lets you build custom flash cards using diagrams, photos, graphics, audio files or anything else you can imagine.

9. You Need a Budget: This software helps you to create and maintain a budget, which helps you to lower your stress level and focus on your studies.

10. Microsoft Office: The tool you need to create PowerPoint presentations, Word files, and Excel files. Of all the software tools you use for your online education, this will be the most important and the most frequently used.

If you are one of the many people that are finding out the joys and benefits of taking college classes online to earn your degree, you might be wondering if you are missing out on some of the social aspects of attending a traditional school. One of the most important parts about going to a university, other than the education that you will receive is meeting a diverse number of friends and colleagues that may be able to help you in the future to find employment or who may be business associates. One of the problems with taking classes online is that you lose this aspect of going to school, potentially leaving you with few social contacts that can help to further your career when you try to enter the workforce. However, in recent years, many online college students have been able to take advantage of the internet and other options to network in much the same way as students at traditional schools do.

One of the most exciting developments for online students that want to network with their peers or teacher is the advent of social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. By signing up to these free sites, people can meet other members of their online class and get to know them better and more personally. What is nice about these sites is that they can also introduce you into friends of friends, who might also share your same interests. You can send messages to one another and communicate through the internet almost as effectively as in person.

Many online college courses also have chat rooms or web conferencing areas set up for students to take their lessons and to actively participate in classroom discussions with fellow online students and instructors. These sessions provide you with a great opportunity to introduce yourself to your instructor and to meet students that share the same goals as you. One nice thing about taking college classes online is that you know that your fellow classmates are taking classes for the same reason that you are. In a normal college, you may have students taking the class in which you are enrolled to fulfill a graduation requirement, however online classes are much more focused and targeted by people who have a real interest in a particular subject.

Finally, you can network with students and teachers through online message boards and forums. Many classes will have specific forums set up for the class, although there are several third party college networking message boards. Here you can communicate with other college students from all over the world concerning a variety of topics.

Obtaining a college degree has never been more convenient. Many schools now offer online classes that let you earn your degree at your own pace and in your free time. Many classes do not have scheduled meeting times, instead, relying on you to submit assignments and coursework on a regular basis. Before handing in your assignment online, be sure to remember the following then bits of information, which can make the difference between getting a good grade and failing.

1. Proofread

It goes without saying, but you need to proofread your work carefully. After typing hundreds of words to complete your assignment, your thought can get jumbled. Reread what you wrote down and make sure that it is actually what you meant it to say. Check for grammar and spelling and that it makes sense.

2. Read Your Instructions

Almost as important as proofreading your work is reading the instructions that came with the assignment. Although the assignment may seem straightforward, often there are small details in the instructions that can make the difference between a good grade and a mediocre one. Carefully read the instructions that your teacher has given you and make sure that you have complied with all of them before submitting your work.

3. Keep Deadlines

When submitting online work, many classes use automated systems that have a clearly defined deadline. If you miss your deadline, you may not be able to submit your work at all, resulting in a failing grade. Make sure that you are aware of any time zone difference between the deadline and your local time.

4. Do Not Procrastinate

Although you can do the work at your own pace with online college courses, you still have deadlines to meet. Submitting your work online adds a new element of risk that is beyond your control. If your computer breaks down or your internet connection goes out at the last minute when you are trying to submit your work, you will not be able to meet your deadline. Instead, try to finish your work early so that you give yourself enough leeway to meet the deadline should the unexpected occur.

5. Formatting

Make sure that you format your work in the way that your instructor wants it. Some instructors may prefer that you use a certain file type or program to complete your assignment. Always follow directions and use the appropriate format.

6. Honor Code

Since there is no one to watch over your shoulder to make sure that you are doing your assignments on your own, many online classes require you to sign honor codes as part of your assignment. Failing to do so properly can result in your work being rejected.

7. Backup Your Work

Always make a backup of your assignment. You never know when a glitch will happen and your assignment gets lost in the submission process. Save your work on your computer’s hard drive, online, or on a disk.

8. Browser Compatibility

Some online class websites will not display correctly with certain internet browsers. For example, one page may not work with Firefox, but work perfectly with Internet Explorer. If there are any compatibility issues between your online class and your internet browser, you may not be able to access the website correctly.

9. Refreshing the Submission Page

Sometimes a slow internet connection or a busy website can make it seem like an assignment has not been submitted. Make sure that you do not refresh the page while the submission is happening, because this could result in your assignment being sent in twice or failing to arrive at all.

10. Log Out

Finally, remember to log out from your online class’s website. This is especially important if you are using a public computer in order to prevent strangers from accessing your information or your online assignments.