What is Flexible Learning?
Flexible Learning at Kilmarnock College offers the opportunity to study and achieve qualifications at a time, place and pace that suits you. Flexible Learning is learning that suits your circumstances and is especially useful for people who cannot attend traditional full and part time courses during the day or evening. Perhaps you have work or family commitments; flexible learning allows you to work on a course in a flexible way, arranging your study time to suit your lifestyle. The term - Flexible Learning covers a range of study options including; Open Learning, Distance Learning and Online Learning. Flexible learning allows you to study at a pace that suits you, at a time that suits you and in a location that suits you.
How do I study?
Your study method will depend on the course you choose and varies slightly from course to course. All have the same key features; they are designed to give you flexibility. All the materials you require for your course will be provided by the college. These materials may be a custom designed paper based learning pack or your coursemay be in an electronic format e.g. via the Internet or CD / DVD.
Where do i study?
With all the courses you can study in a variety of locations. Most of our Flexible Learning students do the majority of their studying at home or at work but many also make use of the college facilities. As a student of the college you can book into our Learning Resource Centre which provides a quiet and comfortable place to study with access to computers, printers and the Internet.
What support do I get?
If you need help at any time during your studies we have a range of staff in place to offer advice and assistance. As a college student you have the same access to facilities and support as all other students. Your first point of contact will normally be our friendly Learning Resource Centre staff who look after Flexible Learning students from enquiry to course completion. For subject assistance you will be assigned an experienced tutor who will deal with any subject help you require. You can normally contact your subject tutor by telephone / e-mail or drop into one of our Flexible Learning workshops in the Learning Resource Centre which are staffed by subject tutors. Details of workshop times and contact methods etc will vary from course to course and will be detailed at the start of your studies.
Can I get a certificate/qualification?
Some of our courses do not offer any formal certification and are designed as informal, leisure courses which may be useful as a starting point or for those not interested in formal qualifications. For courses that do not offer formal certification we can offer a Kilmarnock College completion certificate to demonstrate completion of a course. A great many of our courses recognise that people may be looking to achieve a qualification and so we have a wide range of courses that are certified by governing bodies such as the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and British Computer Society (BCS). If your course is certificated there will be a need for a more formal assessment of your knowledge and skills. The assessments may require you to attend the college and meet with your subject tutor. The assessment requirements vary from course to course and these will be detailed at the start of your studies.
How do I get more information/get started?
For more information please contact us by phone, e-mail or drop in to the college for a quick chat. Before starting a course we arrange a short informal chat with a subject tutor who will fully explain the course, answer any questions you have and help complete the application and paperwork.
How much does it cost?
Costs for courses vary depending on certification, length of course, course materials etc. and start at £10. The typical price for a National Unit is £87 and for a Higher National Unit is £102. Many of our courses may be covered by a fee waiver if you are receiving benefits such as income support, job seekers etc. For more information please contact us. Individual learning Accounts (ILA) may also be used against many of our courses. More information on fee waivers and Individual learning Accounts is available within the funding section of this prospectus or by contacting the Learning Resource Centre staff.
What courses are available?
Some of our more popular courses are listed here. This list is subject to change as we develop new courses and update older ones. you should contact us to confirm details or to check if we have the course you are looking for.
Communication and Literature, National Units: Communications 3 and 4, Creative Writing 1 and 2, Intro to Literature and Literature 1. Higher national units (Hn) Communication: Practical Skills, Communication: Analysing and Presenting Complex Communication. Core Skill units Communications Int1/Int2 and Higher.
Health and Social Care, National Units: Health and Safety for Care, Sociology and Psychology for Care, values and Principles in Care, Caring for People with Dementia, HIV, Hep A and Hep C Infections, First Aid, Understanding Health, Prevention of Infection. Higher national units, We have 12 higher national units available through Flexible Learning including - Understanding Loss and the Process of Grief, Stress Management, Supporting Spiritual Wellbeing - contact us for further details.
Childcare, National Units: Child Development: Birth to 12 years, HIv, Hep B and Hep C, First Aid, Developmental Theory in Early Education and Childcare. Higher national units Theoretical Approaches to Development and Learning, Strategies and Initiatives to Support Children's Health and Wellbeing, Children and young Peoples Rights, Curriculum and Assessment in an Early Education and Childcare Setting, Working in an Early Education and Childcare Setting.
IT and Computing, Leisure: Computing for the Terrified, Computing for the Less Terrified, BBC Web wise. national units Internet Safety, Software Development (visual Basic), Internet Basics, Multimedia Technology, Information Technology Int1 and Int2, PC Passport Beginners/ Intermediate/Advanced. Higher national units Computer Architecture 1, IT Applications Software 1, Computer Operating Systems 1, Using Software Application Packages. Other European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL), Basic Concepts of IT, Using the computer and managing files, Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Databases, Presentations, Internet and E-mail, ECDL Advanced Word Processing, ECDL Advanced Spreadsheets.
Languages, Leisure: Holiday French/Spanish/ German/Italian national units French Int1, Int2 or Higher, German Int1, Int2 or Higher, Italian Int1, Int2 or Higher, Spanish Int1, Int2 or Higher, Gaelic Access 3.
Management and Business, Higher National Units: We have 17 higher national units available through Flexible Learning - contact us for details Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) We can offer awards from Level 2 through to Level 4/5 in Team Leading and Management and Management for Social Care Supervisors.
Accounting, College Certificate: Introduction to Sage Payroll, Sage. Higher national units We offer a wide range of HN units in accounting, contact us for more details.
Mathematics, National Units: Core Maths 2, 3 or 4, Analysis/ Algebra 1 or 2, Business Numeracy, Calculus 1. Higher national units Statistics for Business, Business Statistics 1 or 2, Maths for Business, Introductory Maths for Engineering. Higher Still mathematics We offer units and courses at Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2 and Higher level.
Office and Administration, National Units: IT for Administrators, Administrative Services Higher national units IT in Business Database, IT in Business Spreadsheets, IT in Business Word Processing and Presentations, Office Administration, Office Technologies, GP Medical Administration, Hospital Patient Administration, Medical Terminology for Admin Staff.
Contact Details
You can contact us by any of the following:
01563 523501 ext 5032
01563 495032 Direct Line with voice mail
openlearning@kilmarnock.ac.uk
or drop in to the Learning Resource Centre in Kilmarnock.
Enrolment
It is very easy to become a participating student with KC Online at Kilmarnock College. Simply identify the course study you wish to undertake and contact us.
The Online Team are available via e-mail and telephone for pricing enquiries and registration. The initial contact point is:
Jacqueline Steele
KC Online Course Administrator
Kilmarnock College
Holehouse Road
KILMARNOCK
KA3 7AT
01563 523501 ext 4071
steelej@kilmarnock.ac.uk
When making telephone enquires please quote reference KC ONLINE.
If making e-mail enquiries please send your e-mail to kconline@kilmarnock.ac.uk. You must have a valid e-mail address to enroll.