How to use an open learning text An open learning text presents to you a very carefully thought out programme of study to achieve stated learning objectives, just as a lecturer does. Rather than just listening to a lecture once, and trying to make notes at the same time, you can with a BIOTOL text study it at your own pace, go back over bits you are unsure about and study wherever you choose. Of great importance are the self as questions(SAQs) which challenge your understanding and progress and the responses which provide some help if you have had difficulty. These SAQs are carefully thought out to check that you are indeed achieving the set objectives and therefore area very important part of your study. Every so often in the text you will find the symbol I, our open door to learning, which indicates an activity for you to do. You will probably find that thi participation is a great help to leaming so it is important not to skip it Whilst you can, as an open learner, study where and when you want, do try to find a place where you can work without disturbance. Most students aim to study a certain number of hours each day or each weekend. If you decide to study for several hours at once, take short breaks of five to ten minutes regularly as it helps to maintain a higher level of overall concentration Before you begin a detailed reading of the text, familiarise yourself with the general layout of the material. Have a look at the contents of the various chapters and flip through the pages to get a general impression of the way the subject is dealt with Forget the old taboo of not writing in books. There is room for your comments, notes and answers; use it and make the book your own personal study record for future revision and reference At intervals you will find a summary and list of objectives. The summary will mphasise the important points covered by the material that you have read and the objectives will give you a check list of the things you should then be able to achieve There are notes in the left hand margin, to help orientate you and emphasise new and mportant messages BIOTOL will be used by universities, polytechnics and colleges as well as industrial training organisations and professional bodies. The texts will form a basis for flexible courses of all types leading to certificates, diplomas and degrees often through credit accumulation and transfer arrangements. In future there will be additional resources available including videos and computer based training programmesviii How to use an open learning text An open learning text presents to you a very carefully thought out programme of study to achieve stated learning objectives, just as a lecturer does. Rather than just listening to a lecture once, and trying to make notes at the same time, you can with a BIOTOL text study it at your own pace, go back over bits you are unsure about and study wherever you choose. Of great importance are the self assessment questions (SA@) which challenge your understanding and pmgress and the responses which provide some help if you have had difficulty. These SAQs are carefully thought out to check that you are indeed achieving the set objectives and therefore area very important part of your study. Every so often in the text you will find the symbol II , our open door to learning, which indicates an activity for you to do. You will pmbably find that this participation is a great help to learning so it is important not to skip it. Whilst you can, as an open learner, study where and when you want, do try to find a place where you can work without disturbance. Most students aim to study a certain number of hours each day or each weekend. If you decide to study for several hours at once, take short breaks of five to ten minutes regularly as it helps to maintain a higher level of overall concentration. Before you begn a detailed reading of the text, familiarise yourself with the general layout of the material. Have a look at the contents of the various chapters and flip through the pages to get a general impression of the way the subject is dealt with. Forget the old taboo of not writing in books. There is room for your comments, notes and answers; use it and make the book your own personal study record for future revision and reference. At intervals you will find a summary and list of objectives. The summary will emphasise the important points covered by the material that you have read and the objectives will give you a check list of the things you should then be able to achieve. There are notes in the left hand margin, to help orientate you and emphasise new and important messages. BIOTOL will be used by universities, polytechnics and colleges as well as industrial training organisations and professional bodies. The texts will form a basis for flexible courses of all types leading to certificates, diplomas and degrees often through credit accumulation and transfer arrangements. In future there will be additional resources available including videos and computer based training programmes