Courses
Finding The Right Course for You
Here follows some advice to help you choose the right learndirect course to suit your needs.
Consider the following:
What Can You do Already?
It is important that you consider what skills, experience and qualifications you already have. Learners often don’t complete their courses because their course is not the right level for their needs.
Course Content
It is important to read the course outline carefully and assess whether the modules are based on topics you already know well, topics which you’d like to learn more about, or topics you have never encountered before.
Time
Take time into consideration. learndirect courses have different durations based on the subject and the level. You should consider the length of the course and how much time per week you can actually attribute to the course itself.
Your Goal
Lastly, consider your goal. What do you hope to achieve through the course? What are your long and short term goals? learndirect courses are complemented by personal and course tutors who will help to create an individual learning plan (ILP) to help you achieve your learning goals.
Before You Begin
Don’t Forget…
- learndirect is different from traditional learning
- learndirect courses involve agreed start and end dates.
- learning with learndirect means being self-motivated, self reliant and managing your own learning.
- learndirect course support is provided face to face, or by an on-line tutor.
Following the advice and recommendations above can help you successfully choose the right course and have a rewarding learning experience.
Below are a selection of the most popular FREE courses.
Surf Direct
Surf. Direct is the perfect, jargon-free introduction to computers and the Internet for complete beginners. Whether you want to send e-mails to family and friends in far flung places, do the weekly shop on-line or help your kids research their homework, Surf. Direct will give you the skills you need to make modern technology work for you.
Switch On
Switch On provides a perfect introduction to computers for the absolute beginner.
Equalskills - Cymraeg
This course, especially developed for Welsh speakers, is ideal if you want to learn the basic skills needed to use a computer.
Cash Crescent
Do you have the skills to make the most of your money? This course will help you to manage your hard-earned cash better by looking at the money problems faced by real people in real-life situations.
Word Processing – IT For Life
This course is ideal if you already have a little experience using a computer and want to improve word processing skills. And don’t worry if you want to learn from home but don’t have access to a high-speed Internet connection – the CD-ROM means you can follow the course on your own home PC even if you don’t have Broadband.
Using Your Computer – IT For Life
This course is ideal if you know the basics of using a computer such as using the keyboard and mouse, but now want to improve your IT skills.
Spreadsheets – IT For Life
If you want to learn how to use a spreadsheet to store and analyse numerical data quickly and efficiently, this is the course for you!
Electronic Communication – IT For Life
This is a great course if you want to learn how to use e-mail and the Internet for work or for pleasure.
Everyday French Beginner
Everyday French Beginner is a practical and fun introduction to French for learners with no prior knowledge of the language. The course follows native speakers of French in real-life situations and focuses on practise and repetition of new grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.
Everyday German Beginner
Everyday German Beginner is a practical and fun introduction to German for learners with no prior knowledge of the language. The course follows native speakers of German in real-life situations and focuses on practise and repetition of new grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.
Everyday Spanish Beginner
Everyday Spanish Beginner is a practical and fun introduction to Spanish for learners with no prior knowledge of the language. The course follows native speakers of Spanish in real life situations and focuses on practise and repetition of new grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.
For further information please either contact the libraries, browse the learndirect catalogue, or E-mail judith.williams@colegsirgar.ac.uk
Fees Policy
Although the above selections of courses are free many of our other On-line courses are classed as part-time programmes of study and carry an annual fee (these are variable). This means that you can take as many on-line courses as you wish within the same year for the cost of the annual fee.