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Singapore, 29 July 2002
Questions to ask before you decide to enrol in an online course |
There are many questions you will want to ask before you enrol in an online course.
First, think about the organisational issues.
- How is the course structured — does it conform to the timeline of an institution or can you work
at your own speed?
- Will you meet face to face during the term?
- Does the instructor have a time set aside for his/her distance students (so you can be sure to
reach the instructor)?
PurpleTrain.com ensures that online facilitators answer their students’
enquiries within 24 hours of a posting.
- Are some of the requirements dependent on other students, and is there an easy way to accomplish
this?
- What are the recommended prerequisites for the course (technological, pedagogical, and time
commitments)?
NOTE: Independent courses give you greater freedom to schedule your work, but they also require more self-discipline.
Second, think about institutional issues and questions that relate to this area.
- What kind of credit is given (and is it accepted by your local education governing body)?
The courses on PurpleTrain.com are accredited by foreign universities such as University of Portsmouth, University of Wales and University of Cambridge which are members of the Association of Commonwealth Universities. In Singapore, the Public Service Commission recognises degrees conferred by universities that are members.
- If you are interested in a degree program, what are the total costs of that degree?
PurpleTrain lists all course fees on their website.
- Can you talk to other students who have finished the program or course?
There are frequent updates of student testimonials on PurpleTrain.com for interested future students.
- What type of evaluation has the institution done on the courses?
Most courses on the PurpleTrain web site have been validated by reputable universities that have provided quality education over time.
- What kind of support does the institution give to remote students? Will you have
access to library resources or materials?
- What technical support do they have for the system?
There is a helpdesk system that is manned 24 by 7, i.e. 24 hours a day for 7 days a week where helpdesk officers answer any queries that students might have.
Other considerations:
Many students and faculty of online courses report that content can suffer if the technological issues are not resolved prior to the beginning of a class. Make sure that your e-learning provider is backed by an established education provider with an extensive global network of branches. By choosing an established player, you can be assured that technological issues won’t be a worrisome factor when you need course content to be delivered online.
It is quite reasonable to ask for a demonstration lesson or try out a demonstration class such as what PurpleTrain has on the web, or to "sit" in on a current course prior to enrolling. This will allow you to check your equipment, connections, and compatibility.
You might want to enrol with a partner — a friend, grade level or subject area partner, or someone with whom you know you can work well. This will keep you both on target and provide you with someone to discuss the material.
e-learning coursework can often be neglected because of personal or family circumstances. Be sure this is a good time to devote energy to completing a course. While it is true that some online courses require as much, if not more, time as attending classes and completing assignments for traditional campus courses, the benefits can be enormous.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is a wide variety in the types of online professional development courses, and it is important to look thoughtfully at the quality and characteristics of each one you explore. Aside from this article, you might also be aware that a wide variety of online e-learning opportunities exist. Some content areas may fit into an electronic environment better than others, and you may need to think about which ones fit your needs and learning style.
In summary, online professional development is an exciting new opportunity for all. It offers enormous possibilities, and unique experiences await you. So, find a course that fits your needs, ask a lot of questions, and jump right in!
For more information on the range of PurpleTrain courses, visit PurpleTrain's Course Catalogue or simply email enquiry@purpletrain.com
About Informatics Group
The Informatics Group, established in 1983, is a multinational corporation providing training and educational services in information technology and business management. Through its international franchising program and strategic acquisitions, Informatics presently has a global network of more than 450 centres spanning 42 countries.
The company presently offers five franchise products: Informatics Computer School, Thames Business School, CAL Computer Training Centre, Cambridge Child Development Centre and RACC. For more information, please visit http://www.informaticsgroup.com.
About PurpleTrain.com
PurpleTrain.com is the e-learning service provider which offers a one-stop service for business and IT education programmes, corporate training courses and education-related services. By combining innovative technology with world-class training content, PurpleTrain.com offers companies and individuals a high value, quality and effective online training solution. Over 1000 online courses are available, offering PhDs, masters, degrees, diplomas and certificates in business and IT programmes. Its e-community now stands at over 55,000 users.
PurpleTrain.com is a 100%-owned venture of Informatics Holdings Limited, a leading training and education provider listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange.
For more information, please contact :
Andrew Yap
Marketing & PR Manager
PurpleTrain.com
Email : pr@purpletrain.com
Website : www.purpletrain.com
www.informaticsgroup.com
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are forward-looking in nature and, accordingly, are subject to risks and
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Copyright © 2002. All Rights Reserved. PurpleTrain.com Pte Ltd.
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