University of South Africa, UNISA Open Distance e-Learning Services (ODEL) is another way of learning, you can possibly learn from the comfort of your home. For most of us, this means that our previous learning experiences will not have prepared us for the Unisa study journey. In open distance e-learning, YOU are responsible for planning your studies and managing your time effectively. You don’t attend daily lectures.
UNISA Open Distance e-Learning Study materials
Your study material will consist of written content, whether on paper (eg prescribed books or textbooks) or online (eg myUnisa), instead of listening to a teacher or lecturer in a classroom. In some instances, Unisa provides access to computers and the internet at our regional offices and other partner organizations, but you should have your own computer and access to the internet.
Take responsibility
The best way to cope with open distance e-learning is to take full responsibility for your own learning experience and environment. Your study world will be the environment you create – a room at home, a desk somewhere at work and, of course, the connections you make and the virtual networks you develop.
Create time
You will also need to remind your friends, family and work colleagues that your studies demand a lot from you, because they will probably forget that you are studying and make demands on your time.
UNISA Open Distance e-Learning Services (ODEL) List
Unisa provides you with a number of support services that will help you on your journey:
| myUnisa | Unisa’s online student portal is the university’s most important study tool. It is how you will communicate with Unisa and how Unisa will communicate with you. |
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| myLife e-mail account | All registered Unisa students get a free myLife e-mail account. Important information, notices and updates are sent exclusively to this account.
It is your responsibility to activate your myLife e-mail account as soon as your registration is finalised. Your myLife e-mail account will be the only e-mail account recognised by Unisa for official correspondence to and from the university and will remain the official primary e-mail address on record at Unisa. Click here for Unisa’s rules for students. |
| Social media | Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube, Whatsapp are great channels through which to share ideas, find other students, ask questions and generally stay informed. |
| Unisa Radio | Internet-based Unisa Radio is a vibrant and informative platform of information and topics focused on our Unisa students. Its programming consists of music, informative interviews and talk shows. |
| Regional centres | You may visit a Unisa regional centre to connect to Unisa, get advice, meet other students, make use of Unisa services, have conversations with counsellors, use the Academic Literacies services or use a computer (a limited number of computers are available at the regional centres). |
| Digital Access Centres | Through the Digital Access Centres, Unisa students have access to computers with internet access in rural areas throughout South Africa. These centres are private facilities equipped with computers connected to the internet. Administrators are also on hand to assist students. |
| The Dean of Students and Student Affairs | The different directorates and divisions within the Student Affairs Department play a major role in connecting students by responding to student enquiries, and addressing issues such as student social development, student governance and leadership development, and the needs of students with disabilities. |
| Student counselling | Unisa’s counselling services provide career, academic and personal support to students. Support is available online and by e-mail, in person, by telephone and by letter. |
| Library | The library is one of the university’s indispensable resources. Knowing how to use it (and using it extensively) is central to the successful Unisa student experience. The Unisa library is the largest academic library in Africa, containing almost 3 million items, including books, reference resources, e-books, e-newspapers and e-journals. |
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