Advice for Open Learning

Summary: Answers to the most frequently asked questions about open learning / distance learning at James Watt College.

Q: Why choose to study through Open Learning?

There are many different reasons why people choose to study through Open Learning:

Full-time attendance at college is not possible
Evening classes are not appropriate
Day-release is not a possibility from your employer
Regular attendance at college is difficult
You wish to make use of your own computer system at home
You want to study at your own pace
You do shift work or have irregular working patterns
You have family or other commitments

Q: What is involved in studying Open Learning?

Each qualification has a tutor assigned to it, who advises students about various aspects of the course and how best to tackle them. Course Tutors support students as they progress through the coursework of their Open Learning qualification, dealing with enquiries and problems as they arise. Course Tutors also deal with assessments, advising on completion and marking the exercises and assignments which comprise course assessment.

Coursework is provided through individual learning packages for each course that is available through Open Learning. These packages have been specially designed for independent study, providing details on what is involved in the course and how to complete the qualification, whether it be through Distance Learning where a hard copy of all learning materials is provided, On-line Learning where learning packages are available on the internet or through Drop-in Learning where learning materials are provided at local Learning and Access Centres with added tutor support.

Each learning package is divided into a number of different sections, helping students divide up their studying time into manageable chunks. Students’ work through each section of their learning package at their own pace, usually to a timescale that is agreed with the Course Tutor so that he/she knows when to expect work. Activities and exercises are scattered throughout the learning materials, in addition to Self Assessment Questions to test your understanding of the part of the course you have just completed. Some learning packages also involve Tutor Assignments or Tutor Assessed Assignments. These are pieces of work which are completed and returned to the Course Tutor for comment.

Q: How do I actually gain a qualification, do I have to sit exams?

Most of the courses we offer are continuously assessed, there are no end of course examinations. This is not unique to Open Learning courses – many SQA qualifications whatever the subject, are assessed in the same way. The new Higher courses include continuous assessment, formal assessments and an external course assessment.

Each Higher National / National Unit is described in a document known as a Unit Specification. You will be supplied with a copy of this document as part of the teaching package for each unit you undertake. The Unit Specification divides the course up into a number of Outcomes, sometimes referred to as Learning Outcomes. The number of outcomes in a Unit can vary between three and ten. Each Outcome is subdivided into a number of Performance Criteria, usually between two and six.

The assessment exercises you will be asked to carry out as part of your course will be similar, and in some cases identical to, those undertaken by candidates following traditional College courses for the same subjects. Assessments vary from relatively short exercises to single project-type assignments.

Most units can be awarded at two levels, Pass and Merit. Successful achievement of all the performance criteria qualifies you for a Pass award. In many instances a Merit award entails carrying out additional exercise or extensions to project-type assignments, however, in other cases a Merit award is made for carrying out the basic assessment exercises particularly well.

Assessments that are taken at a distance from college facilities have to be countersigned by a mentor. This mentor is agreed with the college before any assessments are undertaken.

Q: What can I study through Open Learning?

A wide range of courses at a variety of levels is available via Open Learning, whether through Distance Learning, On-line Learning or Drop-in Learning.

Many of the qualifications included within the remit of Open Learning are validated by the SQA (Scottish Qualification Authority). All SQA qualifications are modular in nature, these include National Units (NUs, formerly National Certificate Modules); Higher National Certificate units (HNCs); Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and Professional Development Awards (PDAs). HNCs, HNDs and PDAs are made up of National or Higher National Units, each of which has a value ranging from one to three credits.

A one-credit unit should take about 40 hours to complete, but this is only a rough guide. A candidate who has substantial prior experience in the subject area may complete it in considerably less time, while a candidate who is totally unfamiliar with the subject area may take substantially longer. Similarly, a two-credit unit should take around 80 hours to complete and a three-credit unit 120 hours.

Most qualifications are made up of core and optional units. In order to obtain a specific qualification, you must complete all core units and sufficient options to achieve the required credit total for the qualification. All units are assessed by means of coursework and practical assignments. There are no formal examinations.