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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is there any point in my dd doing this course?

27 replies

Redsquirrel34 · 30/09/2020 18:34

My dd aged 16 has just started a level 3 vocational course at college. The course didn't even start until 21st Sep when normally the term dates would be exactly the same as schools. She is only to go in 1 day a week and the rest is online. For this 1 day a week, she has gone in and been done by lunch or 2pm both times. Can't interact with others as they are all sat 2m apart so no chance to make friends. The 1st week she was given some basic work to do and nothing else structured and no online classes. This week she's had about 45 mins of on online class yesterday and today. Now she's just found out 1 of her tutors has tested positive so the whole department has to isolate so that's it. No more attendance for 3 weeks (why isn't it 2 I don't know). Then it's half term!
So after spending the last 6 months doing nothing she's now got another month of doing the same. She thinks it's great. Out with a friend most nights, in bed all morning. I'm pissed off with it all and think it's a complete waste of time.
Aibu?

OP posts:
nimbuscloud · 30/09/2020 18:36

What’s the alternative?

Andi2020 · 30/09/2020 18:40

Can she do some research herself online.
For the course she is doing.

CSIblonde · 30/09/2020 18:42

Think of her CV in what's going to be a mega competitive job market the way things are going. The more experience or qualifications that are relevant, the better.

ShinyMe · 30/09/2020 18:48

She will still need to be learning online.

If she doesn't want to do this course, she needs to find full time work or another course somewhere else, anyone under 18 must be in full time education or training. I very much doubt the college has said that as a tutor has tested positive they just get several weeks off without having to do anything at all.

Smallsteps88 · 30/09/2020 18:52

@nimbuscloud

What’s the alternative?
This.

She might as well get half a course and some semblance of structure than spend the next 8 months doing nothing after 6 months of doing nothing.

caringcarer · 30/09/2020 18:58

At 16 she should have the sense to buy the text book and study herself at home if much work is not being set on course. I know she should not have to do this but sensible kids who want to do well would do this and also tend to be more able to be independent Learner's. Help her out, buy her the text books to use at home.

Smallsteps88 · 30/09/2020 18:59

FWIW I think now is a very good time for parents to have a serious chat with their DC about sourcing and driving their own education. I’ve done it with my DC who are secondary age. What is being provided by schools, colleges, universities is going to be much inferior to what we’ve had in previous years (through no fault of the institutions- they’re all trying their best) and the competition in the job market is going to be fierce when our DC are ready to look for work. They really are going to have to work a hell of a lot harder of their own account to stand any sort of a chance. Things are going to be very hard for those that don’t. Your DD is probably loving the chance to chill now but realistically she needs to either find a job now or put in some serious graft in order to qualify and be employable in the next couple of years.

WINDOLENE · 30/09/2020 19:01

Her life, if she happy I'd leave her to it.

ghostyslovesheets · 30/09/2020 19:11

every point - she has 2 years to get this under her belt - it's only been 3 weeks - during a pandemic - she's missed her exams and most of last year - at least now she's getting some education - colleges can;t have all the students in all the time right now - so encourage her to study independently

Original poster
Redsquirrel34 · 30/09/2020 19:16

She is the type of person who is very hard to get motivated. This course was the only vague one she fancied doing. She got very good GCSE results but didn't want to do a levels as they will be too much work!
She is unlike me in that respect. Still quite immature too. Pp's are exactly right though. I have no idea what the alternative is and she needs a bloody job too but can't get one.
I can partly understand the college's decisions about attending as obviously they need to protect staff but surely they also need to educate the students? Why are tutors any different to secondary school teachers in that respect? Temporary closures because of covid I get that but a full time course 1 day per week then practically nothing else?!

OP posts:
Skigal86 · 30/09/2020 19:21

Are her face to face lessons not moving to online because of self isolation? That’s what’s happening at my place of work. I’d be getting her tutors email address and sending them an email to find out what’s going on, and see if there is anything your daughter can be doing to make sure she’s getting ahead with her work.

To give some perspective, I teach L3 and our students are in one day a week and have a full day (9-4 with a couple of breaks) a full day of online lessons and another part day of online lessons. Our lessons are generally two hours long so they might have some delivery time and then an independent task to do in the online lessons, but wouldn’t just be finished after 45 minutes.

Somethingkindaoooo · 30/09/2020 19:21

What's the course?

LIZS · 30/09/2020 19:23

What is the course? Presumably related resources are available online and even tutors in isolation can set and mark assignments. Ask college about setting up study groups online too. She legally has to be in some form of education or training until 18.

Skigal86 · 30/09/2020 19:24

Where I work has taken the decision to use a blended learning model because it’s a very different type of environment to a school, we have much bigger numbers coming from a much wider geographical area, mostly via public transport and the need to keep the bubbles secure means that the usual numbers of students can’t be accommodated on site at any one time.

Venicelover · 30/09/2020 19:47

Most L3 courses (apart from the very practical) are using the format you outline. At that level, they are deemed to be able to undertake self-study and be self-motivated.

Greengrapes1357 · 30/09/2020 19:52

Dc1 has just started college and had 1 face to face session the rest is on line.
Sessions online seem to be just to go through the motions of registration then told to go research something, dc is very frustrated, finally got the course book today so can spend some time going through that now. The college have had a few cases so college has been shut with no time line for reopening. It isn't the education previous years have had, however it's better than nothing and dc have to make the most of a bad situation. I'm trying to encourage independent learning and hoping that dc will get enough education to get through.

Original poster
Redsquirrel34 · 30/09/2020 20:36

Its travel and tourism. A dire industry i know. But she didn't want to do anything else. I suppose it is just the situation isn't it. I guess I'm just frustrated as I expected her to be in 3 days then alot more done online. Maybe I'm expecting too much and the course will get going. I just feel it's all a bloody waste of time!

OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 30/09/2020 20:38

Could she learn a language at home in her spare time?

Wiredforsound · 30/09/2020 20:41

I would pay a lot of money for the GCSE/A level equivalent of the OU. At least then I know that my kids can access high quality teaching. There’s a huge market out there for this sort of thing.

Wiredforsound · 30/09/2020 20:42

Travel and tourism is dead though. Let her finish it and then get her into a business course. She should be able to access a business management degree or similar with decent grades.

EveryPlanetHasAYorkshire · 30/09/2020 20:48

Travel and tourism is probably avoided at the best of times tbh. I would encourage her to finish this year and do a business or IT BTEC next year instead.

roarfeckingroarr · 30/09/2020 20:59

It's not exactly an academic or widely respected course at the best of times. She's probably better getting a job / apprenticeship (if they're running now?)

LIZS · 30/09/2020 21:00

As she is only a week in could she still transfer to a more general Business level 3? Unlikely it would be more f2f but potentially more useful. A language would be a good addition, lots of online opportunities (try Futurelearn) if college don't offer it. Why does she need a job, could volunteering be an option?

Lockdownfatigue · 30/09/2020 21:02

She shouldn’t be out with a friend if she’s supposed to be isolating!

Original poster
Redsquirrel34 · 30/09/2020 22:03

She's not supposed to be isolating? The college suggested she did business on enrolment day after seeing her results but she thinks it's boring

OP posts:
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