The benefits of using home learning courses to further your education are numerous
- You can study when and where you want
- Home study courses are on a one-one basis
- You can start when you want
- The pace is set by you and you alone
- You can enrol when it's convenient for you
- The costs of distance learning courses are significantly less than college based ones
- Payment plans are usually available
But what course are you going to choose? What factors should you consider?
10 checks you should make before spending your money
- Try and define exactly what you want to study and why
- Is it connected with a career change?
- Perhaps it's to help with your current job
- Or it maybe simply a subject you have always been interested in
- Now look for courses that match your requirements
- Read the syllabus carefully
- Do they cover the material you want or need
- Have you already covered most of the offered content
- What are the outcomes, do they match your needs
- Check the time the course will take (usually quoted in hours)
- Do you think you can commit enough time to finish the course in a reasonable time, before your interest wanes or another deadline (career etc) is missed?
- Work out a realistic weekly commitment in hours and divide it into the total time to get an estimate of when you will finish. Allowing for holidays and some unplanned interruptions.
- Talk through the plan with your partner and other family members, get their commitment and support.
- Check the qualification you will receive upon completion.
- Is it relevant to your purpose?
- Will employers (current and potential) accept it?
- Is the level of the qualification what you need?
- If you need insurance will your qualification be enough to obtain it?
- What about the cost?
- Is it within your budget?
- Is there a staged payment plan that you can afford?
- Does the cost include everything or are there other costs to be revealed?
- Quality and presentation of content is important
- Can you download or receive a sample of the course?
- Check testimonials with reference to content.
- What about Tutor support?
- Are there tutors available to help you?
- Check the method of contact, does that suit you?
- Will you have the same tutor throughout your course?
- How is your course work assessed?
- Is it on a continuing basis so you know how you are doing?
- How quickly will you get feedback and in what format?
- Can you retake assessments?
- Are there any external examinations? If so what is the pass rate from your course?
- What about the practical side of your course, how is this taught and assessed?
- Does your course require any additional “tools”?
- Do you need access to the internet?
- What about DVDs, CDs MP3s?
- Are there any “tools of the trade” needed?
Once you know what you want, have selected a course and supplier – ENROL! Don't put it off the sooner you start the sooner will enjoy and learn and benefit from your home learning course.
