Cultivating student research and study skills in Web-based learning environments

The use of Web-based learning environments involves cultivating new types o f study and research skills among students. Students must be able to find a uthoritative sources efficiently, evaluate the quality of documents thoroug hly, and use and cite materials properly. Students may also need guidance i n what constitutes appropriate conduct in respect of the Internet and Web. They need to understand the difference between citing a source and plagiari zing id how? to communicate effectively and courteously by email, and how c opyright law applies to resources they wish to use. These issues can be add ressed in classroom discussion or in exercises woven into online learning m aterials and assignments.