Distance Learning - One

Distance learning, or studying for a qualification remotely via the Internet, is becoming more and more popular in Ireland. Busy schedules, combined with the high cost of taking time out of work to go back to college make the idea of flexible study very appealing to many wishing to gain a postgraduate qualification. Time that would have been spent commuting to attend classes can now be used for study. The student can fit assignments around work and other responsibilities, allowing for more flexibility.

Add to this the reduced cost, and it is little wonder that several institutions are now offering distance-learning courses here. With courses available in everything from computing to childcare, there is something to suit everyone.

Providers of distance learning courses in Ireland include Oscail, Open University and NUI Galway. Oscail, the National Distance Education Centre of Ireland, is based on the DCU campus and has been running since 1982. It aims to give students the chance to achieve a university qualification from home. The teaching methods involve blended learning, as tutorial support is provided both in the classroom and online. Classroom tutorials for most courses take place once a month for each module. In the online tutorials, students can communicate with their tutor and with other students through group discussion forums.

With the recent trends for lifelong learning, switching careers and increasing numbers of mature students returning to education, this type of online study is sure to grow.  According to Sara McDonnell, Director of Operations at Hibernia College, they enrol around 250 students at each of their intakes in October and February annually. She is sure that blended learning courses, such as those offered in Hibernia will continue to attract increasing numbers of students. ‘Nowadays, education is all about learning outcomes and increasing access to learning programmes. Online learning is perfect for facilitating certain people and introducing them to additional training. A lot of people who have work or family commitments find it difficult to take the time out to take a traditional face-to-face course.’

Hibernia College, dubbed ‘Ireland’s online college’, provides programmes at undergraduate and graduate level. The college is accredited by the qualifications awarding body for third-level institutions, HETAC (the Higher Education and Training Awards Council).

Among many other courses, Hibernia offers a Higher Diploma in Arts and Primary Education, meaning that it is no longer necessary to attend a teacher training college in order to qualify as a primary school teacher. The HDip includes online study and live online tutorials as well as 14 weeks of teaching practice and a three-week Gaeltacht programme.

This is a perfect example of blended learning – the combination of virtual and physical resources. By combining online learning with face-to-face tutorials, blended learning is supposed to take advantage of the advantages of each approach in order to deliver a comprehensive learning experience for the student. It encourages independent study, while also giving the student direct access to the tutor. Research suggests that students in blended learning courses have a higher completion rate than those in strictly e-learning situations.

Sorcha Brennan, currently taking the Higher Diploma in Arts and Primary Education, enjoys the blended learning approach describing the course as ‘current, progressive and very relevant to the new curriculum. The live tutorials are an excellent way for tutors and students to discuss, reflect on and gain greater knowledge of each subject,’ she explained.

As a break from the traditional courses run in teacher training colleges, the online HDip in Primary Education attracted a lot of criticism when it was introduced. But McDonnell argues that a course must be judged on the quality of its graduates, saying: ‘At this stage, we have over 1,000 graduates all out teaching in schools. The reports that we have gotten back from the principals have said that out graduates are second to none.
‘The content is exactly the same as the courses provided by other teacher training colleges, the only difference is the delivery. 50 per cent is online learning and 50 per cent is face to face on site.’

Thomas Egan, a graduate of the course, found that this course suited his lifestyle perfectly. ‘I had been teaching for four years prior to the course and had moved from school to school due to my unqualified status. Not having the time to commit to a full-time university course, Hibernia gave me the opportunity to continue pursuing my chosen career whilst enabling me to gain the necessary qualifications at the same time. It has enabled me to find myself a permanent teaching post at last.’
McDonnell says that many of their students have found themselves in the same position of wanting the qualification but being unable to take the time out to study for it full time.

There are also many people taking a variety of courses in Hibernia who want to switch careers or continue their training. ‘It’s all about life-long learning now,’ says McDonnell. It seems that distance learning is the perfect medium to facilitate this.