Chloe Haynes The Growth Of Online Education Interview

Chloe Haynes The Growth Of Online Education Interview

As everything from shopping and dating moves online, so too does our education. Over the past five years alone, online education in Australian has grown by close to 20% and is rapidly increasing.

'It's vital for colleges and universities to offer online study alternatives and for those courses to be comparable in quality to on-campus study. Students choose to study via distance for a myriad of reasons, including the need to work full-time or because of geographical reasons," says Peter Mobbs, Director of Operations at Martin College. 'It's our responsibility to provide them the high-quality education we provide our other students and give them the flexibility to achieve their career goals,"

According to the Babson Survey Research Group, the proportion of students studying online has increased from less than 1 in 10 in 2002 to nearly one-third in 2010. The motivations of these students however, vary considerably as the following three case studies show.

After Olivia Dowling graduated from high school, she found a university course in event management that she was desperate to pursue. However, the course could not be completed online and she was working full time.

'The course would mean moving so I'd be leaving my friends, family and job. I was resigned to the fact that this was a necessary transition – but that's when I discovered Martin College. I was thrilled to see that they offered a course in events management and that it could be completed online. I enrolled immediately," says Olivia.

'The course allows me to live at home, work full time and have that flexibility I always wanted. I know that if I studied on campus I would be committed to study five days a week, have a part-time job and pay expensive rent in the city. The online classes are great at Martin College as it allows us to talk to our teachers and present assignments even though we are so far away from one another."

Chloe Haynes found herself torn between pursuing her dream job in graphic design and staying in her home town of Moranbah. She made the decision to leave her home to study at the Martin College Brisbane Campus but she soon realised city living was not for her.

'I hated not being close to my friends, family and partner. My studying was my number one priority but between study and work, I just didn't have any -me' time. I missed the camping trips, riding the quad, all the little things I took for granted," says Chloe.

'When I discovered Martin College had an online study alternative, I realised I could have the best of both worlds. It allowed me to go back to my old life of working, travelling and weekend getaways – all while having plenty of time to complete my diploma. Studying via distance is the easiest things I have ever done. The teachers are so helpful and there is so much online content, because their number one priority is that each student understands the material completely."

Tracey Kelly is a single mother of two teenagers, provides in-home care for her elderly father and works full time. When she decided to study an Advanced Diploma of Management, she knew it wouldn't be easy.

'I didn't have the option of attending a campus on a regular basis with my current lifestyle. I tend to study at night when my teenagers are entertaining themselves. I try to take advantage of any window of opportunity and studying online gives me the flexibility to do it. Studying online gave me the chance to up-skill and I'm now employed as a Practice Manager for two medical centres in the Yarra Valley. As a single mum with so many time constraints, I never would have been able to further myself in my career without the option of online study," says Tracey.

For more information please visit www.martincollege.edu.au

Interview with Chloe Haynes

Question: Tell us why you decided online education was for you?

Chloe Haynes: I moved to Brisbane originally to attend the Martin College campus to study the Diploma of Graphic Design, however I only completed my certificate through the college and am currently completing my diploma via distance education. I found this suits my lifestyle as online education provides more freedom, flexibility and time. My study was my priority but living in Brisbane I found it difficult due to not being close to my friends, family and partner. I missed the freedom and flexibility of my old lifestyle, I missed riding the quad, going camping and just hanging with friends. Study online allowed me to move back home.

Question: What are the main advantages of online education, for you?

Chloe Haynes: The main advantages of online education is the freedom and flexibility. I have also found that I have learnt a lot more via online education than I did in the classroom. I believe this is because you don't have the one on one contact with your teacher so therefore they provide you with an excessive amount of learning material- which is fantastic!


Question: What are you studying?

Chloe Haynes: I am studying a Diploma in Graphic Design.


Question: What is involved in online education?

Chloe Haynes: The involvement of online education is really no different to being on campus or in the classroom. You just have to manage your time a whole lot better to ensure you stay on track and are on top of everything. The only real difference is that when you have a presentation you have to sign in to the online presentation room and present your assessments there.


Question: What is a typical day like, for you?

Chloe Haynes: A typical day for me in the early stages of my 10 week study block is quite normal. I study for a few hours a day. Some days I have work and other days I have to get my housework done. But when it gets closer to the end of my block I am focussing on my assessments to ensure I have everything completed and perfect to hand in on the due dates.


Question: How long is your course and how many hours a week do you spend working on it?
Chloe Haynes: The diploma via distance will take 60 weeks but seven of those weeks are study breaks (holidays). The hours I spend on studying each week vary due to my work commitments, however I like to have at least 2-3 hours of study time on a busy day.


Question: How do you contact the teachers at Martin College?

Chloe Haynes: To contact the teachers we just have to email them.


Question: How do you go about completing tests and exams?

Chloe Haynes: In my course we don't have test or exams we just have assessments which we complete and then submit via our study smart (linked to Martin College).


Question: Are there any disadvantages involved in online education?

Chloe Haynes: The only disadvantage of studying via distance is the fact that you don't have one on one contact with your teacher and if you are not quite sure on something you have to ask via email. A lot of emails get sent especially when it's in regards to your assessments as you want to be sure you are on the right track.


Question: What advice would you give someone who had just begun an online education course?

Chloe Haynes: I would tell them that study via distance education will still achieve your dream career just as it would if you were on campus. I would advise them to have great time management skills and to stay on track and don't leave it for the last minute.

Question: What are your goals for the coming twelve months?

Chloe Haynes: My goals for the upcoming 12 months is to complete my diploma and also start up my own freelance business.


Interview by Brooke Hunter