Forever with the 20 questions

[starrylizard]

Does anyone know how you can tell if an online training site is accredited or whatever?
Is there an Australian Government Approval for such sites? Something that lets you know the online training is for real?

I'm looking into various courses out of interest and they vary wildly in price and content and I'm thoroughly confused. Obviously the ones that are proper diplomas etc. through a proper university are one thing, but there's all these other online training sites and well, they make me wonder if they are like the spam that lands in your inboox promising you a for realz diploma in, like, 2 weeks. Just pay us moniez. Ya know.

Comments

[in-the-bottle.livejournal.com]

It probably should have something on the site saying that they're accredited. If you can post the links, I can probably tell you whether it is or not.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Erm, I didn't save a lot of the links I found, because they just looked too suspect. This one looked like it might be something, but I couldn't find anything saying it was accredited in any way whatsoever and it looks too cheap for something that says it can be done over 6 months (or 2 if you're quick??). It doesn't claim to be a diploma or anything, more like taster courses in things as far as I can tell. Still, my bullshit meter was blinging wildly.

http://www.australianonlinecourses.com/online-editing-proofreading-course.html

People often call me cynical. What do you think then?

[in-the-bottle.livejournal.com]

Under their FAQ:

Are your courses accredited? Like most professional development courses in Australia, our professional development programs are non-accredited in terms of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). However, high quality professional development courses are recognised by employers. Achieving an online qualification or short course shows employers that you have the drive and determination to succeed, as well as the knowledge required to perform in the role.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

hmm. No idea what that means. lol. Sounds suss still.
Thanks for looking better than me.

[in-the-bottle.livejournal.com]

It means it's not Australian government recognised. What you want is something that's AQF recognised/accredited. Otherwise it'll just be a waste of time/money.

[in-the-bottle.livejournal.com]

BTW, what's the purpose of you wanting in enroll in an online course? If it's to get CPD points and such, then you don't really need an accredited course, just something that the employer/professional organisation would recognise like the one in the link you sent me. But if you're doing it to get a qualification or parts of a qualification, then you'll need something that's accredited.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

It's just for me. Not any particular purpose.
Unless I find something that is also for work.
But mostly just looking for me. Something in creative writing or editing might be nice.

Does that make me a weirdo?

[in-the-bottle.livejournal.com]

No, not at all. I did an online journalism course before, which was...interesting. Could be finished in 6 months, but took me 2 years. :P

If you're in Melbourne, I'd suggest CAE, but they don't do online courses.

Hmm... try this: http://www.cengage.edu.au/default.aspx

Normally I'd go to providers who also have accredited courses on offer. At least you know that they're legit and not going to just take your money and disappear. Even if you're not looking to get into an accredited course, the fact that they have courses registered with the government means they're less likely to cheat you out of your money. Consumer protection and such. It could still happen, but less chance I'd say.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Yeah, my thoughts too. Hence wondering what to look for. Journalism huh? Sounds cool. Though... interesting? *g*

I'm not in Melbourne unfortunately. But that seems to be where all the fangirls are. Maybe I need to migrate that way when next I get the itch to move.

Thanks for the lead. :)

[in-the-bottle.livejournal.com]

Click on the Journalism link for that provider and they have other courses in fiction writing etc as well. :)

Yeah, Melbourne seemed to have a whole lot of fangirls and you'll feel right at home I'm sure. :D

good luck with the search!

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

Australian Online Courses

[(Anonymous)]

Australian Online Courses was set up in 2008 in response to a growing need for more affordable online training. While we do not offer accredited training, our Advanced Certificate of Editing and Proofreading gives an overview of the profession, the skills required to become a proficient editor/ proofreader, and more importantly, it will give someone with little or no experience the confidence to apply for roles they may not otherwise apply for.

In fact, we have found that most of our students complete our course before going on to further studies at TAFE or university. Many do this to try out the subject matter before investing in more expensive diplomas and degrees.

Australian Online Courses offers students a standard twelve month enrolment period; this means less pressure and gives maximum flexibility to study at their own pace.

What you have to remember is that most professional development courses in Australia are not accredited. That does not diminish its value. From an employer’s perspective, having completed ANY study in editing and proofreading would be looked upon as favourable – and would make you stand out from other applicants. In terms of becoming an editor or proofreader, there are no licensing or accreditations required to gain employment in this industry.

As far as our fees go, we are affordable. We give people the chance to get something in their CV if they haven’t studied in a long time. We give people the confidence to apply for jobs. We give people an alternative to TAFE and University.

If you have any further questions, please email us anytime. We are available 7 days per week.

Regards

Andrea Blackwood
Communications Officer
Australian Online Courses
admin@australianonlinecourses.com
www.australianonlinecourses.com

[smuffster.livejournal.com]

Most of the TAFE college's do online study now, and they're all accredited. You can do online study at any of the TAFE colleges around Australia.

You could try Open University too.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

I think I've searched them in the past and not found much, but I'll try again. Some of them are terribly cost-prohibitive and full on degrees or whatever. I'll certainly look again though. Thanks.