anyone doing distance learning?

Astaroth

OU always gets exceptional reviews.

All my distance learning has been with companies that specialise in the industries/ roles that I have worked in.

Still trying to decide if I want to do an MBA or not and then if I do if it is distance learning, part time or full time

mountainofdebt

OU - Brillant

Learning Direct - Waste of Time

belleooo

fabwitch wrote:

http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/bin/p12.dll?C01MU120

This is the OU Open Maths course , worth looking into , If your Mum phones up the OU advice line they will be able to guide her which maths course to start with. If she has some knowledge of maths in the past this course maybe right for your Mum. Also if she then completes the next level 1 maths course she would gain the Certificate in Maths (Open)

This course is a nice introduction to maths and isn't too taxing.

kellyaicken

Hi there,

Just wondered if any one could help as I am looking at doing a distance learning course in Beauty therapy, massage, reflexology and indian head massage. Unfortunately the OU does not offer these courses. I am thinking of going with BSY group, has anyone had any experience of them? Or could anyone recommend any other companies that offer what I am looking for? I would be grateful for any comments, help or advice.

Thanks

Volvic

I'm looking into doing a PR course with ICS (icslearn.co.uk) and am sort of sitting on the fence as I can't afford the £370 course fees PLUS exam fees on top. I was gonna go with OU but they don;t do the course or anything much relevant to the course.

papito

I am currently studing Business Studies (BA) at Derby University, it quite good, all is online and you should submit your assignemnts online, some modules have examinations, so you can go to do them onsite in Derby or arrange a local office (but have to pay some like £100)

You can apply for LEA funding too (as long as you enrol in minimun 4 modules per year)

There are some master degrees, Diplomas and other degrees available.

James_N

Keanosafc wrote:

Is anybody studying by distance learning?

I've just started a business management BA Hons top up course through sunderland university and a company called rdi. I've found the course materials very vague and don't seem to be learning much from them at all. I've got about 2 weeks to decide if i want to continue with the course or get my money back.

How have other people found distance learning? Can you recommend any companies to do it through?

Thanks in advance for your advice

I did an online Masters with IOE, London Uni. We had a whole support network, with emails and phone numbers of all the staff and all the other students on the course. As well as that there was a chatroom and shared tasks with a 2 week cycle. It was all very well designed and anything that was unclear got picked up within hours, usually by a fellow student. On-line at 1 a.m., hitting a problem and having an answer by the time I sipped morning tea - this is what I came to expect. Also - paper-based task guides (now they would be on CD or online pdfs), audio & video cassettes, clear reading lists and personal and group support.

The draw-back? It was pre-universal dial-up, let alone broadband. We had to make a 1200 baud long-distance phone call to london, negotiate with a modem bank in the uni and then DL and upload at long-distance rates - usaully "on-line" for five minutes. Its MUCH easier technically and provides you with so much more now. But, I would not have missed this experience.

Seems like your course is lacking something!

clarabell1984

I am considering doing some kind of course in sociology or social work and have seen quite a few distance courses.
Obviously, with moneysaving I am looking for the cheapest option (though i am aware that cheapest is not always best!)
I have come across this website to do a Social Work Diploma for £145. Has anyone used this before or every hear of it, or what is your opinion from look at the website?
http://www.opencollege.info

or this one http://www.homefellowship.co.uk/index.asp
Any help appreciated x

Mark7799

I've done distance learning and I'm currently in the middle of an on-line learning degree. Where there are internet facilities available that makes it much easier. Regular contact through e-mail or forums I find gives me more encouragement. It also depends upon the quality and enthusiasm of your turors/moderators - these have varied significantly during my course.

Gemmygemmygemgem

kellyaicken wrote: »

I am looking at doing a distance learning course in Beauty therapy, massage, reflexology and indian head massage. Unfortunately the OU does not offer these courses. I am thinking of going with BSY group, has anyone had any experience of them?
Thanks

Please, please, please do not waste your hard earned money or time with BSY. Their "qualifications" are not industry accepted, a "minor" detail that they forget to mention when you enrol. I have paid out over £1,000 to them for courses that have lead to useless qualifications. Brandishing your new BSY diploma, you would be laughed out of any complementary health clinic, as nowhere recognises it as a valid qualification. Confronting BSY about this fact, I was told that it wasn't their problem if nowhere accepts BSY diplomas, and that I should just set up on my own!

Strict regulations are coming into force over the next few years to protect consumers from the people who actually would set up their own complementary health practice based on a few distance learning courses. The distance learning courses I did in Aromatherapy, Massage, Indian Head Massage and more, were completely theory, culminating in 6 hours of practical learning, which I had to pay extra for and travel to London for the privilage. You cannot possibly set up as a qualified practicioner in any therapy after just 6 hours of practical training, and within a few years will not be allowed to practice as such, once the regulations become law.

I have now cut my losses, and have enrolled on a VTCT Diploma course in Holistic Therapies, Advanced Massage and Anatomy and Physiology at a local private college in my town. (One of the conditions of passing is that you have to have received a MINIMUM of 90 hours practical training - which is the same minimum to enable you to gain insurance or become a member of a governing body)The course is absolutely fantastic, and covers so much more than was covered in my distance learning courses. I am only five weeks in to my new course (which is 18 weeks in total) and already I have got so much more practical knowledge, because I am getting hands on practice with a massively experienced tutor who is actually there with me, guiding me through each new massage movement, ensuring I can do it correctly and, most importantly, safely.

So, please, don't waste your time on distance learning in these very exciting subjects which need so much practical support. Look for a local college holding VTCT or ITEC courses, as these two qualifications are recognised by all therapy rooms and salons as actual qualifications. They are monitored by the government and regulatory bodies, just like GCSEs and Dgrees are, and will lead to a wonderful and fulfilling career in Holistic therapies. Good luck on your journey!!