Though currently very much in vogue, 'Distance Learning' isn't new. Incredibly, it has been around since the late 1880's when correspondence courses were developed in Pennsylvania to provide vocational training to miners.
The basic format of distance learning remained little changed until the mid-1990's. Admittedly, 'learning packages' became increasingly sophisticated - manuals become glossier, TV and/or radio lectures were introduced and audio and then video cassettes were added to learning packages. More recently, with a further sophistication of the learning package, in the form of a CD-Rom, we arrived in the era of Computer-Based Training [CBT]. Even then, the learning package was delivered to the learner in the same way as it had been since the late nineteenth century: the national postal service. The advent of e-learning [or on-line learning], with the electronic delivery of the whole or part of the learning package to your PC, has driven a huge growth in distance learning.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter, in the UK, recently stated that:
"by the year 2020 every education and training programme leading to a qualification or a credit towards one will be available in three modes: full time, part time, and through distance learning."
According to International Data Corporation [IDC], the respected IT market forecaster, the European e-learning market is set to grow from $320 million in 2000 to a phenomenal $3.9 billion by 2004, while the worldwide value is set to reach $23 billion.
One of the colleges at the vanguard of distance learning in Ireland is The National College of Ireland [ www.ncirl.ie ]. NCI has an excellent 'traditional' distance learning package - a National Diploma in Personnel Management - together with three ground-breaking skills certificate programmes available on-line: E-Commerce for Managers, Managing Teams and Motivation & Leadership.
The advantage of NCI's - indeed all - on-line programmes is that they offer the convenience of classroom accessibility 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from virtually anywhere in the world. Because you can do all the classroom work "off-line", your schedule is very flexible. If you have a busy schedule it is the ideal way to earn your qualification.
Other big players include Open University [ www.open.ac.uk ] a UK organisation, and Oscail,
[ www.oscail.ie ] our own national distance-learning organisation.
Open University has a huge range of subjects available for study, from foundation courses through certificate and diploma programmes to both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Study packs - whether for the longer education programmes or for the short training courses - can contain one or more of the following learning materials: handbook, audio cassette, video or CD. Increasing use of the web is made for communication with tutors and on-line administrative transactions. OU has some 1250 Irish students taking part in sub graduate and undergraduate business programmes.
Oscail also has a range of programmes available. These include a Diploma/BSc in Information Technology and a Diploma/BA in Humanities. Though these are currently only available through traditional distance learning models Oscail is next year launching its first on-line degree programme: an MSc in Internet Systems.
Another well-respected provider of distance learning opportunities is the Institute of Public Administration [ www.ipa.ie ]. The IPA has two well-established degree programmes - a BA in Public Management and Bachelor of Business Studies [BBS] - which are available both throgh classroom delivery and by distance learning. Over two-thirds of the students following the former course and more than half of the BBS participants choose to study through the distance mode. Last year, the IPA launched its first web-based degree course. Information Systems Design and Development, a second-year BBS subject.
One of Ireland's longest-established distance learning providers is Kilroy's College - Tel : 01 662 0538. The college offers a large range of courses, through a tried and tested 'correspondence course' model. These courses include a Business Skills, Computer Programming, Psychology, Creative Writing, Gardening, Photography and Foreign Languages. The college doesn't yet have a website but a full list of their courses are available through the search engine of Nightcourses.com by clicking here.
Reinforcing the boom in on-line learning in Ireland is the increasing availability of niche products. Typical of this phenomenon is the School of Practical Childcare [ www.practicalchildcare.com ], always an innovative organisation with a proven commitment to quality. The school is now offering six programmes on-line including certificates in Nursery Management, Working with Children & Adults with Special Needs and a Foundation Course in Montessori.
Other education providers to offer material through distance learning include: the University of Limerick [ www.ul.ie ] ,which offers Diplomas in Project Management and Quality Management; the Dublin Business School [ www.dbs.edu ] which offers the prestigious Henley MBA programme through the distance mode; and the Marketing Institute of Ireland [ www.mii.ie ] through which you can follow distance programmes in Selling as well as in Marketing.
Of course, as well as the above education providers who offer distance learning programmes as an extension of their face-to-face classroom programmes, there is a huge growth in on-line skills training which is featured in next week's special!
Bye for now,
Guy Flouch. |
