On-line Learning
Virtual College.ac.uk
The Virtual College is based at Coleg Sir Gâr, Llanelli, South West Wales. Over 4500 students have been involved in on-line learning with us in the last eight years. All our courses are delivered remotely - there is no need to travel as all the tools and resources you need can be accessed over the Internet using our self developed Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
E-learning courses have the same objectives as conventional college courses; to provide you with the skills and knowledge that you need to progress in your personal and professional lives. For many people however, it is inconvenient to travel to college every week to attend a course,and for that reason they miss out on the benefits of training.
Benefits to the Learner
Distance learning avoids this problem by bringing the training materials and tutorial support directly to you at home or work so that you can progress at a time and place that suits your personal circumstances. All our on-line programmes are nationally accredited by awarding bodies (EdExcel and OCN Wales). If you would like to sample some of the courses available, go to Virtual College web site and log in as a guest to see how it all works. www.virtualcollege.ac.uk
Courses
Our on-line e-learning programmes are nationally accredited qualifications by EdExcel (BTEC) and OCN Wales. Each qualification consists of a number of learning units that allow students to successfully complete programmes of study over a relatively short period of time. Level 2 programmes are approximately equivalent to GCSE or NVQ Level 2 whilst Level 3 programmes are approximately equivalent to A level or NVQ 3 standards. There is also a separate mandatory On-line Induction Programme for each student to familiarize themselves with the VLE prior to starting their course of study. www.virtualcollege.ac.uk
learndirect in Carmarthenshire
Coleg Sir Gar is working with learndirect to encourage people to learn new skills for work and leisure purposes via the Internet. Through the learndirect portfolio of over 500 on-line courses, more than 40,000 people in Wales have used the service to gain new skills.
By using today's technology to deliver learning via the Internet, learndirect is breaking the barriers that many people face to learning: lack of time, money and fitting in around family and other commitments. By learning online with learndirect, people can learn at a time, place and pace that is convenient for them.
The College can offer hundreds of courses with computing, life skills and business being the most popular. All levels of students are catered for and each course is broken down into bite-sized chunks making it easier for people to learn at their own pace.
Please choose your nearest centre:
Coleg Sir Gâr
Ammanford Library
Carmarthenshire Library
Llanelli Library
The most popular courses last year were Surf Direct and Switch On, both of which are designed to help students who would like to develop an interest in using a computer to gain access to the Internet, use e-mails and write letters. Sometimes, students want to develop their knowledge of computers to help them in their work but often they want to catch up with the technology so than can contact family and friends more easily.
Another great area of student interest is Skills for Life courses which offer opportunities for adults to improve their literacy and numeracy skills. This is often to help them in their work but sometimes it is to enable them to teach their own children.
Access to learndirect courses can be from home, college or your local library.
learndirect at Carmarthenshire Libraries
Carmarthenshire Libraries provide FREE internet access and learndirect courses, many of which are FREE are available at the three main libraries and also some of the branch libraries.