UNIT 1: What is online learning?

It’s worth noting that distance learning is not inherently the same thing as online learning. Distance learning courses have been around a long time, with resources and finished work being sent by mail. In fact, there are claims that the University of London offered the first distance learning degrees, all the way back in 1858! Online learning courses (also called e-learning) rely on the internet instead.

Online learning means that you don’t need to be physically present at a university or school, unlike more traditional forms of study. However, some places that offer online learning may be offering hybrid courses which still require you to attend a few in-person meetings, lectures or exams. In general, though, you can expect most online courses to be conducted entirely over the internet.

Most online courses are designed for university degrees or professional development, but Coronavirus has led to all education stages moving online. For that reason, many of these learning tools are designed for older students, but some lend themselves well to younger students.

First, let’s look at what kind of higher education courses you can do online.

1.1. Undergraduate study

Most undergraduate degrees are done on-site, with students moving away from home and living on campus. However, many universities offer distance learning options – the best known of these being the Open University, which has taught over 2 million students in the last fifty years. These are offered by universities and are accredited in the same way, meaning when you finish the courses, you’ll have a Bachelor’s Degree in your chosen field.

1.2. Postgraduate study

Whether it’s a master, a PhD, or a postdoc, there are often options to pursue these through online study. In particular, you’ll notice a lot of hybrid degrees available, where the majority of your time is spent working remotely, but there are occasional check-ins or meetups required. Unlike undergraduate courses, these check-ins can be quite infrequent, making it easier to do even if you live some distance away. Again, these are accredited like their in-person counterparts.

1.3. Professional development courses

Rather than working towards a degree, professional development courses are often designed to get specific qualifications to further your career. These training courses are often offered remotely because they’re studied alongside a job, rather than before you get one. You may also see them referred to as CPD – continuous professional development.

Whilst undergraduate and postgraduate degrees have specific qualifications – like a BA, MSc, or PGDip – there’s a lot more variety here. Hence, students need to make sure what’s being offered is respected in the field. Certain organisations have well-regarded accreditation schemes, so make sure to look out for them. A good example is CIPD, which focuses on human resources, as well as learning and development.

1.4. MOOCs – Massively Open Online Courses

Not every course you can do online is accredited. MOOCs (Massively Open Online Courses) often aren’t, although they do sometimes have the option to pay extra for a certificate of completion or similar. These are often free courses in various subjects provided by universities, organisations, or experts in a field.

Some of the websites that offer these courses are Coursera and edX. These are great for people looking to learn new skills or simply pursue an interest further. With courses in everything from game development to the birth of western philosophy, they’re a great opportunity to study something new at your own pace. Most will tell you the study materials you need to complete the courses.

1.5. Individual study

It’s also possible to access high-quality individual tuition online. This is most common with language learning – many students practice their new language with a tutor through a video call. These tutors are often part of an agency that regulates their quality, but you can also find tutors who work for themselves.

An individual study is best for students who know what they want out of tuition. Do they want to learn a new language, or perfect some issues they’ve been having with their maths course? It’s very similar to hiring a private tutor in person and should be seen as serving the same purposes.

1.6. Practical Assessment

Consider the need you have in developing online tools:

• Do you plan to use it as regular tool in your everyday practice or as a tool while the school is online and there are obstacles for physical presence?
• Do you plan to use blended learning?

Write it down and look for the opportunities!