Picking up a new skill or qualification when you’re working can be challenging, especially if you have to travel to attend classes. One alternative often touted is online learning.
Ideally, you receive your textbook in the post, or an e-book via e-mail, meet with tutors and fellow tutors online for live chats. There may even be a website that has video-taped lectures and there are forums with threaded discussions.
Such courses are available but they’re rare. Many courses offer some of these interactive elements but not many offer them all. If you’re looking for free courses, look at Coursera at www.coursera.org, which has an excellent system.
If you need a certificate, there are some local schools that offer distance learning. Typically, this is a correspondence course where you’re sent a textbook, a study guide, and you send in assignments over e-mail.
To be good at distance learning, you need to be disciplined, good at thinking things through, and you must have effective research skills when the book doesn’t do it for you.
Finally, if you sign up for a course and need a certificate, look for ones certified by the Malaysia Qualifications Agency ( MQA ) that ensures it meets local standards. There’s a list at mqa.gov.my
This article also available on print version @The Star Newspaper