The document discusses the establishment of an online writing lab at a distance university in Germany to help students improve their academic writing skills. It describes setting up open online tutorials in Moodle on using the citation management software Citavi. Evaluations found students benefited from peer support, gaining competencies, and the flexibility of online learning. Integrating a virtual classroom provided additional social and motivational benefits. The writing lab was well-received, with over 2,500 students enrolled. Overall, the document advocates a holistic approach combining social, technical, and pedagogical aspects to support self-organized online learning.