correspondance course

[ezmay]

Has anyone done a correspondance coures?
Did you use a place like cengage/thompson education direct or did you di it through a uni?
What did you like/dislike about it? was it as expected? was it worth the money or would it have been better for you to go to a tafe/uni?

Im looking into furhter study and im after some testimonials from those who have done it and what your experience was.

[Heather]

Sorry can't help you there, however education by correspondence obviously works if and only if you have the necessary discipline.
If you are unable to go to TAFE, they do have OTEN courses but there has to be very valid reasons why you cannot attend an actual TAFE campus.
Before you sighn up for any course.....make sure that any certification is recognised nationally.

[jens]

I've done courses through both Thomson Education (Adobe Photoshop Graphics) and also TAFE (HTML & Web Design).

I definitely found TAFE better value for money. Thomson Ed is very, very expensive. My Photoshop course cost be $1200, and I've actually learnt more by myself. You get a certificate at the end if you have successfully passed the course.

As for TAFE, it is excellent value for money, I think it only cost me about $50 for each course. All the information & lessons are available online through their teaching website. You will get a password and username to access this site. At the end you receive either a certificate or diploma, depending what course you undertake.

I love doing the online courses, but just make sure that whoever you go through is accredited, otherwise your qualifications will be worth zilch, zero.

[Leigh]

I started a uni course but really lacked the self motivation and discipline to get the work done, I moved at the same time the first unit started and just couldn't get into it. I wouldn't bother trying again, I know it just wouldn't work for me.

[Barbara]

I was doing my law degree by correspondence. Through a Uni and we had an online forum where we could post questions etc and also chat nights with the lecturer which were fantastic. All our lectures were sent down by tape so we could listen to them at our leisure. Our exams were done at a chosen university though but were all open book. All we needed to do was make sure our assignments were sent in by the due date. It was a really good system. I haven't finished my degree though (have deferred it for now) as I am not sure if it is really something I want to do as a career.

I am currently doing another course by correspondence and again am finding it really good - being able to do it in my spare time and can do as much or as little as I like each day. It is through an accredited institute and I am able to ring them, email them or even go in to discuss anything I am having problems with. So far I think it is well worth the money I have paid.

I think so long as you find the right course at an accredited tafe/uni/institute etc and are willing/able to put in the hours, then go for it :).

[holly]

I started my diploma at tafe and to be honest it bored me completly, so I did it by cooresspondance and prefered it that way. I wouldnt study again though so I didnt like it but was doable anyway.

I looked into doing business admin cert 3 with oten and cengage and I would have chosen cengage because at oten you got to buy all your materials and pay each year but at cengage its all in the package. The way i worked it out was cengage was cheaper.

What type of course are you thinking of doing?

[Stormy]

I've done most of my study as an external student and I found that the more theoretical subjects were worth doing externally. Ones with practical components though, I think you are better off studying internally.

I guess in the end it all boils down to what method of study works best for you. Some people learn best independently....others really need to go to classes because they lack the discipline and motivation to complete a course to the time required without a lecturer constantly harassing them about whether they have done their assignments or not. :hehe:

[mummyof3babes]

I started a uni course but really lacked the self motivation and discipline to get the work done, I moved at the same time the first unit started and just couldn't get into it. I wouldn't bother trying again, I know it just wouldn't work for me.

Same!

I started a correspondence course on two different occasions (about 12 years ago when I was 18 and again when I was preg with #2, 7 yrs ago) and in both experiences I lacked the motivation and knowledge to further the studies. I know they say you have 24/7 assistance, just call... blah blah, but it's not really like that.

I now go to tafe and I'm doing really well and I have all the support I could imagine, oh and also... it costs a shit load cheaper. (I have been funded for my course through a 3rd party, but it's even costing that company less that it would cost to do the same course via correspondence, if applicable.)