The defining feature of distance learning
is that you do not need to attend the awarding university/institution
in person. This style of study is not new.
The University of London established its External Programme in
1858 to make the degree accessible to students who, for one reason
or another, could not come to London to study, and it now offers
a range of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications, to almost
24,500 students in over 157 countries around the world.
Many professional bodies were also aware of the conflict that people
face between the need to work full time and the need to acquire
and keep up to date a professional qualification. Since the turn
of the century, such bodies have offered their members the opportunity
to gain qualifications through correspondence courses.
Although it is not an awarding institution itself, the National
Extension College, founded in 1963, is another well established
distance learning provider, offering general skills courses as well
as tuition for GCSEs, A levels, University of London undergraduate
degrees and a range of professional and vocational qualifications.
Provision for students unable to attend university increased in
1969 when the Open University was established. The OU differs from
most other British universities in that it is open to any adult
living in the UK/EU irrespective of previous educational qualifications.
It offers its 150.000 students the opportunity of studying for undergraduate
and postgraduate qualifications or a range of professional diplomas.
Now a growing number of other UK institutions are developing distance
learning programmes to offer students the chance of studying without
leaving home.
Distance learning suits people for many different reasons. For
one, "Family and financial circumstances prevent me from studying
abroad for extended periods, but I could manage a couple of short
visits." For another, "I now have 2 small children it
is impossible for me to attend University. I would, therefore, like
to study at home". Finding the finance to study may have been
difficult. "Due to financial constraints, I could not further
my education in any conventional way, so I joined the bank, my present
employer. My ambition is to improve my career prospects by obtaining
a university degree". For people whose job requires regular
travel or irregular working hours, distance learning may be the
only way they improve their qualifications and seek promotion. In
most cases students have the choice of when to study and how quickly
they progress through the programme. Some programmes have minimum
and maximum study times (the University of London allows its undergraduates
up to eight years in which to complete their degree, postgraduates
five.) Many business people have obtained professional qualifications
while still keeping up a hectic schedule of travel and work.
The academic support given to a distance learning student varies
from programme to programme and from institution to institution.
However, the focus is on self-study. In its simplest form, students
may receive basic academic guidance through specially written study
guides and past examination papers and reports. However, many programmes
provide an extensive range of materials including videos, computer
disks, audio tapes and annotated texts. Some institutions have introduced
programmes of study which can be delivered to a student’s home
by Internet. Direct tutor support may not always be available, but,
if it is, it may be given through seminars given by visiting academics
and email/fax responses to assignments returned to the home institution,
residential summer schools and/or revision weekends. Some universities
and colleges have local partners who provide on the spot advice
and support.
Academic support is not the only support required. Without the
support of family, colleagues and friends, studying for a qualification
as an external student would be a great deal harder. John Chetcuti
says ‘my wife’s support throughout all these years has
been instrumental. Had it not been for her support when I was down
in the dumps I probably would not have persevered to the end’.
Gisela Stuart (law) would agree. Although she found ‘studying,
revising, looking after family and staying sane’ was no easy
task, she felt that she was lucky. She ‘had a tolerant and
supportive spouse, children who responded to a flexible routine
and the stamina and determination needed for success. ‘Shantina
found that she benefited from the support of her 85 year old father
who then ‘was inspired by my studying and began studying himself!’
There are no age barriers in distance learning.
However, it is not an easy option: it demands hard work, dedication
and sacrifice. If there is one quality that successful distance
learning students have in common, it’s self discipline. Lynne
Russell, who competed a master’s in agricultural development
by distance learning, studied for a few hours each weekday and was
‘very strict about this, guarding my time against all corners’.
John Chetcuti (who studied undergraduate economics) spread his studies
‘evenly throughout the week, putting in around thirty hours
reading and researching’. He allocated his ‘weekday evenings
to reading and research and Sundays to complete assignments’.
George Pappas does not understate the difficulties "You need
discipline, commitment and a strong desire. You must have an iron
will and must want to achieve success. No desk, computer or telephone
will help you unless you have the desire to learn’.
Although studying at a distance is usually cheaper than attending
university, students must make sure they choose a programme that
offers value for money. Institutions offering degrees or professional
qualification must meet stringent quality standards set by educational
funding councils and/or professional bodies. The standards should
be the same as those set for internal students so asking about standards
is one easy way of ensuring a reputable institution is chosen.
The choice qualifications available to students is wide, from ‘A’
levels to undergraduate diploma and degrees, master’s programmes
and PhD by research. You will find information on all levels of
distance learning at UK-wide institutions in a guide called ‘Distance
Learning and supported Open Learning, UK’ published by Hobson’s
Publishing in conjunction with the Open University.
If you feel that you have the grit and determination is needed
for success and that distance learning is for you - take one final
step and find the answers to the following questions before you
begin!
- Who awards the qualification?
- How is the qualification recognised: by the government? By a
professional body?
- Who controls the quality of the programme and what is the value
of the qualification?
- What will the course involve?
- How much will it cost?
- How long will it take?
- What course materials are provided? Books? Tapes? videos? Computer
program?
- What support is available locally?
- What are the entry qualifications?
- Will I have to sit for examinations or will my work be evaluated
by continual assessment?
- If there are examinations where do you I sit them? Who sets
and marks the papers? What feedback will I get?
Are there opportunities to transfer as an internal student to a
university/college when I have completed part of my course?
Only if you are satisfied with the answers should you enrol. The
results can be well worth the effort. John Chetcuti said ‘I
cannot explain the joy and satisfaction I experienced on receiving
the results. I was simply euphoric ..I am chronically ill with the
study bug’.
Happy studying!
The Author: Susan Gidman, University of London External Programmes,
U.K.
This article first appeared in Educational Courses
in Britain
