Distance Learning in Art
Distance learning, or self-paced online learning, suits those who wish to study at home or on the move. There is so much available on the web and at libraries that can be used to help you study in a non-traditional way. We have found that students really enjoy this new style of learning with tutor support and regular feedback. It requires you to work independently, which is another transferable skill. You will get regular support and guidance from your tutor; you aren't on your own!
Do I have to work at a certain pace?
Units of work are staged to allow you to gather the information towards your final assessment. On comparing the ‘face to face’ version of the module with the distance learning version, our external examiner said that he felt that the student learning was deeper. In addition, we provide interim feedback so that you can gain higher marks for your final assignment.
Support for your learning
Internet research is needed for your learning; but to cut out a lot of time unnecessary wasted, we highly recommend that you keep a small dictionary of art and artists to hand. Keep ‘post it’ notes near to hand to attach to pages or document quotes and add page numbers. This allows you to come back to reference them at a later date.
Pathways of learning
I liken learning about art history to travelling on the London underground. Some journeys take five stops and 20 minutes, but if you knew where to walk between the pathways and the streets you could get to the same destination in 5 minutes instead. Learning and walking these pathways is increasing your wider art history knowledge. Be prepared for some wild goose chases though until you learn the terminology and art genres.
How is it delivered?
If you are undertaking a self-paced learning course, you will need a username and password. This may help once you have this information. You can start and stop this video at any time.
There will also be on-line tutorial support on how to use our Virtual Learning Site linked with the course. Material is available online to download (we do not recommend you print documents out), with some short discussion and activity sections provided by the tutor to download or listen to as and when it is convenient. You are not required to work through assignments and tasks live and online, or complete/upload assessment material on-line. In early art history modules your personal learning journal/visual diary and record of tasks completed throughout the course will become an integral part of the assessment. You will submit the comparative study, learning journal and final individual study essay in electronic format for assessment. There is no obligation for you to maintain a blog (although you can of course) as part of the assessment.
Our tutor describes distance learning as:
‘The course is written as a set of units for study as self-paced learning. This means the emphasis is on providing guidance, information, tasks and assessment for you to work through at your own pace and in your own time frame. Although there is an official start and end date for the module, you can fit in the studies to suit your time constraints and needs.
Here are two free taster sessions for you to try:
Why not enrol on one of our new self-paced learning courses? We were shortlisted for a National Universities Lifelong Learning Award for this new initiative under the criteria of innovation in course design and sustainability.