Choosing a course – points to consider

Selecting a course or educational opportunity can prove to be a bit of a daunting task

Whilst most people wish to continue their busy lives with minimal disruption they sometimes make the mistake of not thinking through and adequately planning for their study.

If you were going to buy a tree for your garden you would be asking – why do we need a tree, what type shall we have, where shall we plant it, what does it need to grow, at what rate will it grow, how tall will it be, what conditions does it like, how much will it cost, does it bear fruit, does it shed leaves, does it flower, is it poisonous, how will it effect the garden, how will it effect the neighbours, how do I look after it ………..

Yet often we jump at or dismiss an educational opportunity without as much thought. How many of us have been either disappointed or pleasantly surprised by a course – “It wasn't what I expected”

The following checkpoints can be used to stop and reflect on your needs and what is on offer as your learning needs need to be matched with what is on offer

• The key question is ”Is the course content what I want - does it meet my immediate and future career needs in a way that is acceptable for me to study”
• Your starting point is to be clear about your learning needs – what are you aiming to learn and why. How did you identify this – is this something that you really want to do.
• It is really important that you consider your lifestyle point of view as well as your career point of view
• Do you need to gain knowledge or skills based – or both
• Have you considered alternatives way to learn rather than a course – such as work based learning
• Is this part of your personal development plan?
• Does this course allow for academic credit for your previous work experience (Accreditation of prior Experiential Learning) or previous academic study?
• What is your preferred learning style?
• What learning activities are involved in this course - do they have sufficient variety?
• What time and effort can you commit?
• Do you think that you can you commit to the weekly time demands and the years of study demanded of the course?
• Over what period of time does the course run?  Can you stop and start if need be
• How much time will you need to set aside each week?
• Can you take breaks during the course of study to accommodate unforeseen circumstances?
• Without loss of achieved academic credits?
• How will this alter your usual family/work/social life?
• What resources and support are available to you
• Are there local mentors?
• Will you have a personal tutor?  How accessible will they be
• What study skills support is available?
• What central university resources will you have to access to? E.g. library support service for distance learners career advice, etc.
• Is there an initial induction week/weekend?
• Are residentials optional or compulsory?
• What will this cost (time, fees, extras – books etc) – costs to you and to others
• How will you fund this
• If being funded what commitment/boundaries are there
• Do you meet the entry requirements?
• What skills are already assumed and do you have these e.g. basic IT
• Who would you like to study with – uniprofessionals, inter-professional, non-nhs
• What roles do fellow students play -group work and conferencing at a distance?
•  Will you meet them – how often?
• Will you have a system for electronic-based discussion with them?
• Who recognises this course (accreditation?)
• How can you assess university standards of delivery?  Results etc
• Can you gain credit for your studies even if I don't go on to the end?
• What if you move?   · Benefit from geographical flexibility, which allows for continuing study on the same programme even if re-located?
• How is the course assessed/examined
• How and when is feedback given?
• Do assessments relate to “normal” work activities?
• How is this course likely to change you/your practice?
• Will you really be able to apply what is learned from the course to the workplace?

Tips

• Get all the information and details that you can
• Visit the website
• Talk to people who have completed the course/are already on it
• Meet University staff during their visits to your area or contact University staff and other recourses via the Internet, phone, e-mail or fax
• Speak to your local support people – local training leads, tutors
• Think about what would be the next step if you completed this course

Don’t forget:   Complete reflection for your portfolio following the course

 

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last saved May 21, 2008 8:00 PM