This site is divided into "getting started", "find a course"; "who can help?" "build your business" and "get that job". The website, lists a range of courses from any provider who registers with them. Surprisingly few ODL QC Accredited providers appeared from the searches I performed. Two search facilities are offered; a 'simple search' and a 'full search'. Irritatingly, hunting for "Geography" at "A/AS Level" found no records, yet "Geography" alone brought up 'A' and 'AS' level courses. Given that this is online it seems strange not to have a hyperlink from a course listing to a provider's own website, but web/e-mail addresses are not even given. Too often the section 'qualification level' read "Awaiting details", and the suspicious may feel this is to avoid saying "no qualification". No advice on how to select a course is offered, and the "guidance" link takes you to payment only careers service. Despite these criticisms a potentially useful site.
An index and search engine which hunts for Web tutorials and online courses From the first the site felt easy to use. Within 10 minutes I had tracked down tutorials on subjects as fascinating and diverse as: Wrapping a present, Importing a Spreadsheet into Access, Writing press releases and Origami All of the stuff I looked at was free, well laid out and easy to follow. Some of the "tutorials" were really just step-by-step guides to the subject, whilst others were more substantial manuals with exercises. The interactivity varies widely. There are two snags: many of the items are American making some of them useless for a Non-US Audience (I doubt I'll ever need to "Write to [My] Congressperson"). The second is the amount of advertising. However, although annoying, it's worth putting up with.
Acts as ambassador for adult learning in this country, conducting research, lobbying, holding conferences and offering information to all comers. Little touches make this site particularly user-friendly; for example, web addresses are given for all links so that you can note them and look later. Wherever possible, information is given in different formats. In the Information Services section their "Briefing Sheets" are short well-written documents on subjects such as "What is Lifelong Learning?" Student non-completion (drop-out), and Mail groups. Evidence and sources for further research accompany most. The Acronyms page (also in the Information section) is invaluable in today's abbreviation clogged age. The other place that's definitely worth a look is the Links page. Lots of interesting sites here, though sadly not ours (although we do appear in the members section). A good place to start for most education topics, although the site is currently a bit short on information specifically to do with distance and open forms of learning.
Promoting Quality in Open and Distance Learning
