Week 7 - ICS Distance Learning Courses

When i first looked at distance learning, especially in regards to China, i spoke of how i didn't think it should be the sole contributor to our learning unless it was pyschically impossible to learn otherwise, this still being my thoughts as i look into 'ICS'; http://www.icslearn.co.uk/ , an organisation that provides people the option to study at home. As i looked through the site, it told me how there were many benefits to the programme such as;

• Learn in your own time
• Learn while you earn
• Learn to earn
• Supported open learning

The website states that over '13million' people have benefited from the programme with '150 courses' on offer, from GCSE's, to BA Honour degree's. This all seems fantastic but there are some questions to raise about distance learning. For instance there are options for oversea students to be involved, however they have 'to come to the UK' to sit exams. Therefore this isn't really providing some people with distance learning.

Moreover, then there's the issue of whether you can trust this site in giving you proper resources that will be recognised when you graduate. It says it in writing, but if someone never has to come into face-to face interaction with them, then how would they truely know, as they are potentially anonymous. I watched 'Watchdog' on BBC1 a couple of months ago which showed how the company 'skillstrain' provided a student with out of date material, when he paid enormous amounts of money to the company. I couldn't find the original link to the programme but found a forum which goes into depth about it. http://www.certforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=28705

Ultimately thats the main issue with distance learning, the face-to-face interaction. The ICS website does state that there is a 'student community' which allows them to interact and learn with other students, ICS members and experts. As a member of the community they'll be able to share information, engage in discussions, browse our resource library, and voice opinions through student surveys. This is all well and good but this brings up earlier arguments about communities online, will people respond to what you have to say straight away or will you be waiting days for a response? will some people be lurkers and not share information with you?. I personally feel that the best responses are recieved in person, when your talkin to someone face-to-face, you get feedback straight away and there's not a constant reliance on technology.