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50 Great Distance Learning Resources
50 Great Distance Learning Resources:
If you’re considering taking up a distance learning course, it can sometimes be difficult to find good quality information. We’ve collected our 50 top resources for distance learning help and guidance – this list contains details for organizations and sites dedicated towards distance learning, useful articles, course directories and more.
This list is particularly aimed towards UK students.
Distance Learning Organizations:
http://www.odlqc.org.uk/ – Open and Distance Learning Quality Council
http://www.niace.org.uk/ – National Institute of Adult and Continuing Education
http://www.homestudy.org.uk/ The Association of British Correspondence Colleges
http://www.iadl.org.uk/ – International Association for Distance Learning
Distance Learning Websites:
NHS Direct – Education and learning information for carers
Open University – distance learning explained
http://www.skill.org.uk/ – education information for disabled people
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/adults/ – the BBC’s adult learning section with information on courses
http://www.e-learningcentre.co.uk/ – information and resources for distance learning
Connexions – Details on different methods of open or part-time learning, aimed at school leavers.
http://www.careerchangetraining.co.uk – information on training for people looking to change careers
http://www.elearnmag.org/ – Articles, blogs and resources focused on e-learning
http://www.learndirect.co.uk/ – great resource on training and education for both businesses and individuals, including flexible distance learning courses.
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/study_advice.htm – General study and revision advice
http://www.direct.gov.uk/ – Information on distance learning, plus the NextStep course finder tool.
http://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/ – Information on alternatives to university – apprenticeships, jobs and home learning courses.
Distance Learning Articles
Top 10 benefits of distance learning
The benefits of distance learning for employers
Why distance learning is best for busy mums
Will home study suit my learning style
7 success strategies for distance learners
Boost your career with a qualification: why experience isn’t enough any more
Article on the pros and cons of distance learning
Article on distance learning focussing on mature students
Mastering open and distance learning techniques
Why it’s never too late to learn something new
Alternatives to full time study
10 ways to ensure distance learning success
Getting into higher education as a mature student
5 success strategies for online students
The Guardian – The Road to Learning
The Telegraph – How to get a degree during six gap years
Direct.gov – Information on flexible and open learning options
Worcester.ac.uk – The University of Worcester’s guide to distance learning (PDF Document)
Prime50Plus.co.uk – Information on training and careers for over-50s.
Ibtimes.com – Articles and news on online education – mostly US based.
Expat Network – Collection of links to distance learning institutions worldwide
Distance Education on Wikipedia – history and theories of distance education
Course Directories:
http://www.course-finder.co.uk
http://www.helptrainingcourses.com
http://nextstep.direct.gov.uk/
http://www.learndirect.co.uk/browse/
http://www.postgraduatesearch.com
Do you know of a useful distance learning resource that we’ve missed out? Please let us know in the comments!
Professional Qualifications – What They Are and Why You Need One
We’re all familiar with standard academic qualifications like GCSE’s, A levels and degrees. Most of us will also have heard of ‘vocational’ courses like NVQ’s, BTEC’s or City and Guilds qualifications.
However, many people are less familiar with a third kind of qualification – ‘professional’ qualifications. There’s a huge array of different professional qualifications available in subjects as diverse as management, purchasing, marketing, warehousing or statistics, and a large number of different providers. So what are they, what do they mean and what can holding one of these qualifications do for you?
What’s a professional qualification?
Professional qualifications are provided by professional bodies like the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply or the Chartered Management Institute. These organizations represent people doing a specific type of work, in much the same way that industry bodies represent certain types of businesses. As part of this, many professional bodies offer their own range of qualifications in the area they represent.
Instead of testing academic knowledge in a subject like maths or history, professional qualifications show your ability to do a job – they’ll cover everything from procedural best practice to more wide-ranging topics exploring how your particular role fits into a business as a whole, as well as more theoretical and strategic areas. So, a professional qualification is a course aimed at people who do a particular type of job, accredited by a professional body representing those people.
What do the levels mean?
Most professional qualifications are available at a variety of different levels, usually ranging from Level 2 to Level 7. At first glance these can look confusing – what happened to level 1?
In fact, the numbers correspond to the National Qualifications Framework, which assigns levels to different qualifications to give an idea of how they compare to each other in terms of difficulty.
Here’s a breakdown of the different levels in the National Qualifications Framework, along with some more ‘traditional’ qualifications at each level:
| NQF Level | Example Qualifications |
| Entry Level | Foundation Diploma |
| Level 1 | GCSE grades D-G BTEC Introductory Diplomas and Certificates |
| Level 2 | GCSE grades A*-C BTEC First Diplomas and Certificates |
| Level 3 | A levels BTEC Diplomas, Certificates and Awards |
| Level 4 | NVQs at level 4 BTEC Professional Diplomas, Certificates and Awards |
| Level 5 | HNCs and HNDs |
| Level 6 | Degree |
| Level 7 | Master’s Degree |
| Level 8 | Doctorate |
So, you can choose to study most professional qualifications at anything from GCSE level to postgraduate level. However, it’s important to remember that when choosing a professional qualification you study at a level decided by your working experience, not your educational background. Because of this, it’s not unusual for a graduate to start studying at Level 3 if they’re new to the profession, or for somebody with no formal qualifications but years of working experience to start at a Level 5 or even higher.
How do I get a professional qualification?
Because professional qualifications are so closely linked to your work, most professional institutes recommend that you study while you work in a related role. Some colleges run part time courses, or many people choose to study via a distance learning course.
The course structure will depend on the specific qualification you’re taking, but most courses will be split into several units, with an assignment, exam or even a work-based project to complete for each one. To study the course, you’ll usually have to be a member of the professional body who accredits the course.
Are professional qualifications worth having?
Absolutely! Professional qualifications are fully accredited, and a professional qualification from a prestigious professional body is recognized worldwide as a mark of industry excellence. Because they show that you have a specific knowledge of the job at hand, they’re very valuable to employers, many of whom look for them specifically when they’re recruiting. Because of this, holding a professional qualification can benefit your career considerably – research has shown that having one could help you to earn up to £81,000 more over your working life.
Top Ten Distance Learning Myths
There’s a lot of myth and misinformation about distance learning, which makes many people considering a distance learning course wary of going ahead. Here, we tackle the top ten distance learning myths, and tell you the truth about distance learning.
Distance Learning Myth No. 1. You’re on your own
Distance learning and self study are often confused, but are in fact two different things. Distance learning doesn’t mean you get sent a textbook and left to work through it – you’ll be assigned a tutor to guide you through your work, and a student mentor to help with booking exams, administration and general support. You’ll receive expert guidance every step of the way – just the same as if you were attending a classroom based course.
Distance Learning Myth No.2. Employers don’t value distance learning qualifications
Many people believe that employers don’t place the same value on a distance learning qualification as on a classroom-based qualification. This simply isn’t true – in fact, completing a distance learning course in your spare time shows an employer that you’re committed, determined and able to organise your time effectively. Even mentioning on your CV that you’re in the process of completing a distance learning course can boost your chances of a new job, pay rise or promotion.
Distance Learning Myth No. 3. Distance learning schools aren’t as good
Distance learning colleges can be just as good as, or even better than, traditional courses, with highly experienced and qualified faculty members, great tuition and high quality learning materials. All that’s different is the approach – instead of speaking to your tutor face to face, you’ll contact them by telephone or email. This has the added benefit of giving you one-to-one support, rather than learning as part of a group in a classroom-based setting.
Distance Learning Myth No. 4. Distance learning is easy
Unfortunately there’s no ‘easy’ way to gain a professional qualification, which is why they’re so highly valued by employers. Distance learning requires time, effort and dedication to complete the work and stay on track. However, distance learning can be a way to overcome common barriers to attending traditional classroom based courses, such as work or family commitments or travel needs, and you’ll receive lots of support to help you stay up to date with your timetable.
Distance Learning Myth No. 5. Distance learning is impersonal
When you start a distance learning course, you’ll be assigned a personal tutor, as well as a student mentor and a liaison officer. Between them, these contacts will do their best to guide you through the course and make sure that you’re not going it alone – you can contact your tutor at any time to discuss your studies, ask questions or submit work, or talk to your mentor or liaison officer about booking exams, maintaining any institute memberships and fitting the course around your home or work life.
Distance Learning Myth No. 6. All distance learning courses are the same
Just as with traditional colleges, the level of support and quality of tuition you receive will vary between distance learning colleges. Because of this, it’s important to check what you get for your course fee rather than automatically choosing the cheapest option. Making sure from the start that you’ll be getting the level of support you need to complete the course will make your studies much easier, and increase your chances of success.
Distance Learning Myth No. 7. I won’t learn as much via distance learning
Distance learning courses aren’t just about getting you through the course as quickly as possible – there’s plenty of time to take everything in, and lots of opportunities to talk to your tutor about what you’re learning. And because you can keep working while you study, you’ll be able to relate everything you learn back to real life situations.
Distance Learning Myth No. 8. Distance learning takes too much time
Distance learning courses are designed to be flexible, and fit around your existing work or family commitments. You can study as much or as little as you like – even if you can find three hours a week to spare, you can study for a distance learning qualification. If you need to take a break from your studies for work or personal reasons, this can often be arranged as well – just discuss it with your tutor or student liaison officer who will be able to help you rearrange your timetable to fit.
Distance Learning Myth No. 9. Distance learning is boring
Distance learning tutors work hard to make your course as interesting and relevant to your work as possible, by relating everything back to real-life situations in your role. This will not only help to make learning easier and more relevant, it’ll make it more interesting, too. If you’d like to socialise with other students, you can do this as well via social media or discussion boards.
Distance Learning Myth No. 10. Distance learning qualifications aren’t worth as much
A professional qualification from a chartered institute such as CIPS or CILT is worth the same whether you’ve studied for it via distance learning or in a more traditional classroom setting. Because these courses are accredited by professional institutes like the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply or the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, they’re recognized worldwide as a mark of excellence. Employers look for these qualifications and often require them when advertising for jobs, so whichever method of study you used, they’ll be a valuable addition to your CV.
Distance Learning Resources 