Your Career Questions Answered by Jolito Ortizo Padilla Sr.

The letter was sent to me by Noel ,a former student at University of Perpetual Help -Rizal and works  at Mumtalakat Holdings -Bahrain

>>> I've heard there are lots of opportunities to gain qualifications over the internet. How can I found the right course for me.

The answer:
Millions of people now choose to study via internet each year. For individuals that do not live near an education center that offers the course they want to study or are restricted in when they can study, e-learning offers the flexibility to study in a way that suits them.

The initial considerations are the same as with any other qualification- think about what you want to gain from studying and what you're interested in learning about. If you want to gain a qualification for professional development investigate whether you are best to apply for a course accredited by a professional body.

The next step to consider is how you like to study. Many e-learning opportunities are self-directed but there are options where you can have more structured interactions with a tutor. Alongside contact with your tutor, e-learning courses can incorporate a variety of learning methods including online information, webinars, video conferencing and discussions groups.

Consider what you have found most beneficial in the past. If you have enjoyed sharing ideas and debating concepts then a course that sets up an online community for its students might be your best option. If you find listening to lectures easier than reading textbooks a course with a high proportion of videos and webinars might work best for you.

While universities and colleges are subject to government inspection, many distance -learning course providers are private organizations. The Open and Distance Learning Quality Council is an independent organization that inspects course providers and assesses whether their quality standards are being met. The ODLQC website lists all the colleges it accredits and the courses that are available from them. The site also includes helpful general information and advice on distance-learning and what you should consider.

If the course provider you are considering is unaccredited you should consider whether:
- The course leads to a recognized qualification
- There is a guaranteed level of tutor support
- The provider has a customer satisfaction or refund policy
- The provider will send you an example of the course materials
- The provider will put you in touch with past students.
Before you commit to any course, make sure you have investigated other providers, considered all of the possible costs and checked whether the course has a time limit.