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More and more universities
are offering distance learning packages, recognising the
global opportunities available via the Internet and the
potential to attract students who might otherwise be unable
to study. The distance-learning students have a much greater
choice of course and university than ever before. But how
do you make the right choice of course to fit both career
goals and lifestyle needs? The Indian Student investigates…
 It
pays to do your homework thoroughly - below is a checklist
of the things you might like to consider, with indications
of how you make judgements on some of these issues. We are
approaching this advice from the perspective of staff that
for some have helped others plan, design and implement their
course of study. From questionnaire feedback and discussions
with students, as well as from comments by experienced distance
learning providers, we have found that academic support
and the opportunity for social interaction is as important
as course content for a distance-learning student. Many
distance learners can feel isolated, and find socialising
and working with other distance learners helpful in maintaining
motivation and confidence. Personal and academic support
from tutors and peers is also a key to success.
Your starting point is to be clear about your
needs from lifestyle and career points of view - how long
will the course take? Can I stop and start? How much does
it cost? Do I need a PC with Internet access and how much
will this cost me? Is the course content what I want - does
it meet my immediate and future career needs?
You then need to think about your study demands.
This is particularly important if you have never previously
studied 'at a distance'. How much time will I need to set
aside each week? What learning activities are involved and
do they have sufficient variety? What feedback on my ideas
and my progress will I get? What study skills support is
available? Then, finally you need to explore what level
of social integration there is. Is there an initial induction
week in your home country? Are there local mentors? What
roles do fellow students play -group work and conferencing
at a distance? Will I meet them before having an electronic-based
discussion with them? Are residentials optional or compulsory?
How can you assess university standards of
delivery? You can't fully gauge this until you are immersed
in the course, but you can get some ideas from the quality
of response to your initial enquiry and any application
you make. Efficient communication may give you confidence
that the course itself will be run effectively. A course
website can give an indication of how effective the communication
and course management is likely to be.
The website and any paper based information
sent when enquiring should provide details about all aspects
of the course.
Your Checklist
 Lifestyle
- Can I:
- Choose when and where to study?
- Continue my career with minimal disruption?
- Benefit from flexible time scales
(minimising disruption to normal/work/social practices)
- Take breaks during the course of
study to accommodate unforeseen circumstances without
loss of achieved academic credits?
- Benefit from geographical flexibility,
which allows for continuing study on the same programme
even if re-located to another part of the world?
- Commit to the weekly time demands
and the years of study demanded of the course?
- Gain credit for my studies even if
I don't go on to the end?
Relevance to Career - Can I:
- Choose a course which is shaped by
the employment sector outside the university, or which
has professional body status?
- Apply what is learned from the course
to the workplace?
- Undertake assessments that relate
to normal work activities?
- Apply for academic credit for my previous
work experience (Accreditation of prior Experiential Learning)?
Learning Activities - Can I:
- Experience a range of learning activities?
E.g. self-study materials (paper or electronics-based);
video/audio tape; group work; computer conferencing tutorials;
seminars; video conferences; lectures; e-mail
- Develop both my key skills and professional
skills through the course activities and assignments?
Assessment & Feedback - Can I:
- Experience a range of assessment activities?
E.g. essays, reports, group work, case studies, examinations,
self assessment tasks
- Identify how and when feedback is
given?
Academic & Personal Support - Can I:
- Interact with other students at 'summer
school' or residentials, and thereafter continue discussions
via electronic means?
- Gain support from a mentor or personal
tutor?
- Meet University staff during their
visits to the region?
- If I am in the area, meet with other
distance-learning students who can provide support and
guidance?
- Have access to University staff and
other recourses via the Internet, phone, e-mail or fax?
General Benefits - Can I:
- Obtain value for money?
- Gauge how efficiently the administration
of the course is likely to be?
- Find out what central university
resources I have to access to? E.g. library support service
for distance learners career advice, etc
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