Distance learning IT degree

the GALL

I am a stay at home dad looking for a change. A couple of years ago I got myself onto a Basic computer course through FAS (word,excel,database,powerpoint) and loved it. While on the course I met a guy who was doing the comptiaA+ in Wexford VTOS, Grand says I, I'll get myself on that and see what happens the course consisted of A+ plus 7 other FETAC 5 modules It ran for 2 years(Customer Care, Word, Excel, TAZ accounts, Work experience, Communications, Business Studies). I passed all them, the A+ I scored in the 90% bracket both tests. Went looking for a job no joy, 'can't get a job without experience can't get experience without job' you know the score. So now I'm fixing Computers at home not making anything from it, more just for friend/family to get some more experience. I'm also studying for the network+, I am quite comfortable with the course and the pace I'm going. I should be ready for the exam at the end of Feb, I'm getting all my course work from the net and have found lots of past Q's(appox5000).
Failure is not an option as well as trying to get trained up, I'm doing it for my sanity(stay at home dad). So come the end of Feb I need a new project and want to do a degree course.
I'm interested in I.T Maintenance/Networking/Security/Web Design to start with, I don't mind doing other modules, It's all knowledge. I just don't know the name of Degree course I should be looking at, I went to a career guidance Councillor and left their office more confused than when I went in. I have the drive to complete the course, I can afford to do it financially(just about) and I have the backing from my Wife:D:D. Again it has to be distance learning as I have the little one with me all day,(till Sept at least) can anyone help me out or point me in the right direction from the description of what I'm interested in. Thanks in advance all replies appreciated

confuseddotcom

O.p. have you looked into TheOpenCollege ??

I'm just checking it out here myself actually. It seems to have lots available to choose from and they offer a mix of Classroom, Distance, Online, and Blended Learning which covers a multitude of sins lol!

I would imagine it's a case of *Buyer-Beware* though. It's confusing enough trying to figure out what the best thing to do is then have to go find it lol, don't think it'll be an easy task getting the cost of the Course back off them afterwards after a change-of-mind, or Course not living up to its' description .....

Horses for Courses I guess!

jd

How about this
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/computing-and-ict/ict/index.htm

eyesquirm

Try oscail based in DCU.
www.oscail.ie
or Open university
www.open.ac.uk

Not sure of price you wish to spend but as an example DCU currently charge 825 Euro per module, 8 modules for a diploma in IT, a further 6 for a degree.


I see jd already linked to the open university.

BostonB

I started a distance learning diploma/degree a few years back and had to drop out as too much real lift things got in the way. The work load on these IT degree can be extremely high even if they are part-time, distance learning.

My advice is to check out the workload before you start, from people on and the lecturers. Also check out the procedures for repeating a module, or indeed doing the course in a longer time frame, by doing less modules at the same time.

I was working full time, but if you are at home, you should be able to manage the workload much better. Whats is your end goal here anyway. Get in the network side of the things, or the software development side?

squishywelly

Has anyone ever done any of the CMIT distance learning courses? Specifically Web Design/Advanced Web Design?

the GALL

I've had a good look around for the right type of degree and rang a few collages to find out more and not one has got back to me and that over a week waiting now, so what I'm gonna do is meet up with my old tutor and see what she has to say about it. the price of collage is shocking:eek::eek::eek:

googled eyes

Sorry to drag up this old thread but I'm just wondering what you did in the end. I'm in the nearly the same position as you were, at home dad, did the ECDL and MOS through FAS a couple of years ago.

Now I'm looking for something different. I'd like to get into networking, programming etc.

What did you do. I had a quick look at the Oscaill IT course but people on other threads said it was more business based and less IT specific.

the GALL

Hi google eyes

I got disheartened with the whole lot and gave up (for a while ) on the whole idea. Believe it or not I sat on me hole staring are the computer for months on end. Then I coped on to myself and set up a small business it's going great and making a few quid. I'm taking it to the next level this friday. So fingers crossed it goes critical mass soon.

googled eyes

Thanks for the reply. Well done with the business.

May I ask, is it involved with computer repair that you were doing for family and friends?

the GALL

I found the computer repair thing just too hard to get a break in. You need experience to get a job and a job to get experience so, it sounds like a cliche but it is most definitely trough with IT. You have to constantly upgrade your skill set as after 6 months it's obsolete and aswell as that there is always someone younger that will do it for that little bit cheaper. I may be wrong but that is just my experience.
I do hope it goes well for you and you get what you need to get up and running again.
Cheers
Roy

googled eyes

Thanks Roy. Best of luck with you business and taking the next step .