Vision2Learn and other online distance courses- Any good?

noirist

Hello, I found this website called Vision2Learn and it seems pretty good. (Can't post the actual link because I am new - sorry.) The courses are free and you get a certificate, but I wanted to know if anyone here had used them before?

Also, what online/learn at home course websites do you recommend?

I would like to retake my GCSE English, for my own enjoyment. My work hours are generally 1- 9pm so I can't go to the evening courses at my local college.

I can't comment on it personally, but I joined the ICS forums to see what it was like and it was FULL of people with topics like "Won't refund my course!" and other such complaints so I decided not to use them...

Thanks to anyonme who can help.

Emmzi

I've done the diversity course with vision 2 learn and it was interesting. But the question is, what do you want to learn and why? Because there's no point doing stuff for the sake of it. Generally a college course is better for GCSE as you also need coaching in exam technique etc :-)

noirist

Well to be honest Emmzi, I'd be interested in retaking my English GCSE, as I said just for me, but as for other courses I'm interested in Administration and Health & Social Care as I have had work experience in these fields but do not have many formal qualifications in them (which I'm pretty sure is why I'm not getting replies back from job applications. )

Emmzi

does it have to be a formal qualification for interest?

In terms of employment - the OU have a much better reputation for distance learning than anyone else out there. Have you had a browse of their website? They do certificates and diplomas as well as degrees, and have tutorials on Saturdays (optional but may fit your work pattern)

purcel

I've done the Equality and Diversity and I'm about to finish the It skills one with Vision2learn.
They are free, done online at your own leisure but you still have deadlines. Pretty good, they send you the certificate a few months after you have finished the course. The assesments are not very hard to complete, just need a bit of effort. HTH

SailorSam

Emmzi wrote: »

does it have to be a formal qualification for interest?

In terms of employment - the OU have a much better reputation for distance learning than anyone else out there. Have you had a browse of their website? They do certificates and diplomas as well as degrees, and have tutorials on Saturdays (optional but may fit your work pattern)

I don't think you can do better than the OU, but unfortunately it's not a cheap option. The vision2learn course are free so in my opinion much better even if only for a taster, you can move on later to the likes of the OU if you like it.

stephent82

Go into your job center and have a chat with an adviser. They will be able to point you in the direction of recommended (accredited) courses and identify funding you will be entitled to.

KiKi

Just to comment on the original comment about ICS - don't touch them with a bargepole. Terrible service, absolutely terrible materials and useless at getting in touch or responding.

If you want a formal qual, I can't recommend the OU highly enough. However, if an online course is free and you get a cert for it, then why not?

KiKi

juno

I've done a few courses with V2L and they're a bit difficult to get started - you need to fill in forms and then do a phone assessment, but if you miss their call then you phone them back you need to go on a list for them to promise to phone you back again and sometimes that takes ages or you miss their next call and it all starts again. But once the course is underway they're really helpful.

Do be aware that if you don't finish you've agreed to pay an admin fee which seems to vary by course but is £65-£120.

Also, you can submit the assignments multiple times. You send an attempt but if it's not quite right they send feedback and you have another go.

owensmum75

Hello!

I've done and passed the Equality & Diversity course with V2L and I'm currently doing the Business & Administration course. I find the tutors really helpful and the courses are not difficult to follow. I'd recommend them as an intro to distance learning on the basis that it's free to do. If you don't finish the course without good reason they do charge an admin fee but I think this is justified as they've put the effort into getting you the course and giving you access.

Go for it!

LexieAshmore

I received my enrolment form for the Equality and Diversity course this morning. As I've never done distance learning before the appeal was that this is free (apart from if you don't finish and the letter said there'd be a £65 charge) so if it's not my thing there's not really much lost as the OU courses are out of my price range.