To ask if you have studied online (from home)?

[BosomBunnies]

Have any of you lovely MNers ever studied a course from home (online distance learning type course)?

I'm wanting to do an admin course and could do this at college but it will take 12 months. I've seen Reed offer a similar course (similar cost too, plus I would save travel & parking costs studying from home). It's certified by NCFE rather than by Reed themselves (which is a plus for me), and can take up to a year to complete (can be done as quickly as you wish).

AIBU to worry that an online course may not be as good as a course completed in an actual classroom? And that it may not look as good to employers as actually attending a course?

Feeling confused which option is best - been job hunting for a little while and have loads of experience but not getting much response to applications, thought a recent qualification may help.

Have any of you studied from home - if so - who with/through, and what were the positives and negatives?

I'm doing a MSc in Psychology from home.

It's a bit antisocial. It would be nice to have others to discuss things with.

On the plus side I can do it in my pyjamas whilst shoving cream crackers in my gob.

It fits around life and I can do it when I'm in the mood.

I have completed a number of courses in this manner .
Just ensure that you have ready access to a tutor and that the course is certified by a reputable organisation.

I have done a level 3 and level 4 course from home and enjoyed the flexibility, but did find it isolating. For one course I found some other people doing it through a forum, which really helped. Maybe see if the inline couse has any forum/ interactive elements?

I did my MEd via home study through the OU. It suited me and I enjoyed most of it.

I'm in my first year of a history degree with the OU.
The way I see it, I have 2 DC under 5, when I go back to work and they ask what I did in my employment gap this will look a lot better than nothing!
It takes self discipline and commitment to complete a home course. Good qualities to have in the eyes of an employer!

I have just done an OU access course and I start my degree in Oct too. Is great as you can fit it in when it suits you - motivation can be a huge stumbling block though.

KingJoffreys - I'm partial to a cream cracker or six and love PJs so that image helps a lot, thanks . After a lousy weekend that has really made me chuckle.

CaramelKate - that's a good suggestion, thank you, I've checked and they offer access to student forums and blogs.

Thank you to the others who have also commented, it's definitely helping me to see the positives (flexibility, studying in my jimjams) and negatives (needing to be motivated, feeling isolated).

KingJoffreys - I'm partial to a cream cracker or six and love PJs so that image helps a lot, thanks . After a lousy weekend that has really made me chuckle.

CaramelKate - that's a good suggestion, thank you, I've checked and they offer access to student forums and blogs.

Thank you to the others who have also commented, it's definitely helping me to see the positives (flexibility, studying in my jimjams) and negatives (needing to be motivated, feeling isolated).

I'm doing an OU degree, its going to take me a bloody long time, 2 extra years on top of doing it at a brick uni, which is a real shame, but I am finding it really good for fitting in around the children and work.

I'm doing an OU degree, its going to take me a bloody long time, 2 extra years on top of doing it at a brick uni, which is a real shame, but I am finding it really good for fitting in around the children and work.

Whataloadofoldshite - thank you for pointing out that studying from home can show some great qualities to a future employer, I hadn't thought of it like that.

If it's with an accredited organization then it should be as good as a classroom based course and worth as much.

I've started done a few different ones, but I don't have the motivation or self-discipline. I only do the bare minimum and at the last minute. I know I'd do better in a class. I also found that it was constantly hanging over me because you can do it any time, I'd prefer having to be in a certain place at a certain time and getting it done.

Im conclusion home learning is great as long as you're not a lazy arse like me.

I'm doing an OU degree - just about to finish my first year. We've been supported well through access to our tutors, day schools, tutorials (online and in classrooms) and forums. A lot of the students also grouped together and made a Facebook group to discuss content.

It can be difficult to motivate yourself when you are at home and have many distractions, but it's also reasonably easy to fit around home/work life, depending on your commitments.

My local brick Uni allows cards to access their library too and I think through the OU most universities provide the same service (with the exception of Cambridge and Oxford). They also send you vast quantities of text books and audio/DVD material.

Personally, to have the self discipline and ability to time manage studying and home life shows a lot of employable skills that companies are looking for. Also, studying in adult or more mature years to me, makes more sense as you have more of a vested interest in what subject or qualification you are studying for, rather than rushing to University straight after A Levels without much direction (sweeping generalisation I know, but have heard this so many times).

Providing it's accredited and reviewed well, go for it and good luck!

Have taken courses from home and gave also taught courses to others. My husband teaches for a major university online.

I see you have forums etc. they are very important, and also, as someone said above access to the instructor.

The biggest help I can give (helped me immensely) is to tell you to set aside a certain block of time (each day or each week) as your study time and work at that time. It's so easy to put things off when you're online, and then you find yourself rushed and not doing your best when you come up against a deadline.

It's good to read through the responses as helps me to look at it in ways I hadn't before, thanks all. I hate decision making so try not to confuse myself with too many options!

Mumtosome yes it can be difficult to know what you want to do career-wise at a young age, there are so many possibilities and some things can be harder to get in to than others. Even now there are so many things I'm interested in that it's hard to pick just one! Thanks for the good luck wishes

Sue that's a great point about setting aside a regular slot of time each day/week for studying, would be easy to get distracted by other things so agree it'd be important to be strict with myself! I completed my accountancy studies through evening classes (whilst working F/T too) but that was 4 years ago - looking back I've no idea how I managed to be so dedicated!