Greetings from the Distance Learning Office to everyone studying by distance in 2021, and to this, the first Newsletter for distance students for the year.

If you are new to distance learning, then welcome!  If you an 'old hand', then welcome back!! 😀😀

Your closest connection with the University will be through your lecturers, other teaching staff and course administrators, based in a particular department, on one of the University's campuses.

The Distance Learning Office is a central unit, based in Dunedin. At the Distance Learning office we provide strategic support for staff, departments and students to ensure that your experience at the University is a positive one. We also can provide limited assistance to current and potential students, and if we can't give you the answers you are looking for, we can direct you to the people who can!

No question is too small or insignificant. Just drop us a line at distance.learning@otago.ac.nz.

Each year we put together the Distance Learning Info & Support booklet for students. This publication aims to help you to find your way around the various parts of the University that you will inevitably need to contact or refer to. It is a great orientation resource for those who are only just starting out and something you might consult when you quickly want to know where to find some information or how to make contact with a person or section of the University beyond the department where your lecturers are based. 

Another publication we put together, with content provided by the Library, is the 2021 Guide to the Library. It has some really valuable resources about making use of Library resources fro your research and study. 

We wish you well with your studies this year, and remember, the University is full of great resources and support...it is just a matter of getting curious, and asking good questions that open up your understanding to new learning.

Kia pai tō rā

Dr Sarah Stein, Director Distance Learning