Six Tips For Online Learners

Starting any online learning course is a major commitment.

So before you part with your hard earned cash you need to make sure that your potential provider is going to give you the help and support you deserve.

Here are six key things to think about. 1.
The Application Process A good learning provider will insist on a detailed and measured application process to ensure that you only enroll on programmes where you have a good chance of success - and a good chance of completing the programme. Remember - if you withdraw from the programme because it proves to be unsuitable or because your motivation drops off, your learning provider will save all your tuition costs.
So make sure they talk through your application with you and that you're both confident you can succeed. 2.

The Hard Sell If your prospective learning provider engages in hard sell tactics, you need to ask yourself a simple question: are they really concerned whether you will succeed or fail on the course once you have enrolled with them or do they just want to get you enrolled? A good learning provider understands the commitment involved in online learning and will be sensitive to your concerns.
3. Tutors Ask your potential provider about the teaching qualifications of their tutors.
Try to make sure that your tutor is a fully qualified teacher if possible and has experience of teaching online. Your relationship with your tutor is an important one so make sure you get one who will support you effectively.
All the research into distance learning shows that effective tutor support is the single most critical factor in ensuring students complete their course of study.
It is amazing what a difference such support makes to your chances of success.

Chalk and cheese, as they say.

4.
Qualifications Certificates and Diplomas offered by online learning providers are more often than not worthless in the eyes of employers and the academic world unless they are accredited by a reputable awarding body.

Don't waste your hard earned cash on a paper qualification that doesn't have any clout in the real world. 5.

Course Material If your online learning provider is confident in the quality of their courses they will let you see samples before you buy.

What other product would you buy without first having an idea of what you're buying? If your learning provider won't let you see samples of their courses you might ask yourself why that is.

6.
Assignments and Tutor Support If your course is offered at a cut price you can be fairly sure that it is in this critical area of tutor support where the provider will cut back on costs - and your motivation will suffer as a result.

So you may get the course at cut price - but you will never achieve your qualification either! Ask your provider how many tutor-marked assignments are provided with each course to make sure you are getting regular feedback as you progress through your course.