Being an online student

What is online learning?

When we think about learning in a school or university, we often picture lecture theatres or seminar rooms, but these are just the venues where learning takes place.  In online learning, this is a virtual ‘space’ that can be accessed from different locations at different times, allowing more people to join in the experience regardless of where they are or what challenges they have in their life.  Learning takes place through study, interaction, experience and thought, and does not rely on a physical place to happen.

The University of Edinburgh has an online platform or ‘Virtual Learning Environment’ (VLE) that holds all of the learning material including lectures, tasks and areas for discussion, just like there is in a teaching programme that is delivered in a physical environment.  One of the major differences though is that students are not expected to be there at the same time, and the programme is structured to work in this way.  It is a different experience from traditional classroom learning but just as active, with opportunities to interact with the students and staff in different ways. 

If you are considering an online programme you may have heard some of the myths around online learning but it is important to know that an online degree is every bit as real and as challenging as any other.

What are the benefits?

This not only makes it particularly useful for fitting study into busy lives but means the learning experience can be adapted to suit you.  You can move through the courses at your own pace: lectures can be paused, watched multiple times or at different speeds; and topics can be started and worked through when it is convenient to do so.  Moreover, the virtual learning environment allows students from around the world to join the programme, making connections with people who think in different ways.

What are the challenges?

Any new experiences brings challenges, and online learning is just the same.

On a personal level, you need to adapt to the activities that are specific to working in a virtual learning environment.  Discussion boards, for example, require you to post comments but may limit the number of characters used.  You may find that using discussion boards can be challenging initially, but it is a skill that develops with practice and also allows you, and other students, to make points you may not be confident in saying out loud, whilst also allowing other students to take their time to consider what has been suggested.

Online learning also requires some technical skill including the use of MSWord as many assignments will be completed in written form.  You will need to become at ease with submitting your assignments via an ‘electronic portal’, and communicating with programme staff via email, telephone or video call.  These skills don’t need to be fully formed before starting a programme, but a degree of confidence is needed so you are not overwhelmed during your learning.  You should also be aware that you may be asked to use technological tools you may not be familiar with and therefore, you need to be curious, enthusiastic and willing to learn new skills.

Finally, there is a practical challenge with managing the flexibility of learning in this way.  Assignments and activities do have deadlines that need to be met, and whilst the University will work hard to support you in your development, it is important to think about any life pressures that may impact your studies.

What do students think?

Although it is often described as a new way of learning, online study has become an established and popular part of the way teaching is delivered.  The experience of online study has improved over time and many students have told their stories of their experience learning in this way, and some on other programmes have made short videos about their experiences as an online learner and how they make it work:

Day in the Life of an Online Student | Student Vlog – MSc Equine Science

Day in the Life of an Online Student | Student Vlog – MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour

You can read more about what many of the students stories who study online at the University of Edinburgh felt about their experiences studying at the University, including distance programmes here, as well as our own students on the Clinical Management of Pain programme about starting the course online.

Making online learning work

So much of modern life is online that people are more familiar than they ever were with the virtual space, and online programmes can be a rewarding and very effective way of learning.  You are not studying alone and there is help available for new students who are studying online and to develop the skills you need, just as there is for those on campus.

Embrace the experience

Online learning is an opportunity to learn in a way that suits us as individuals, and students can really thrive with a few key attributes to make the most of it:

Would you like to know more?

If you want to know more about online learning at the University of Edinburgh there is the Postgraduate Online Learning page you can visit.