Chickenshed (talk | contribs) (Edited and reduced extraneous content for clarity. Standardised the format of presentation. Rearranged providers under subject headings. Deleted a dead link under Law. Added UK Virtual School info under 'multiple subject providers' and under subject headings.) Tag: Visual edit |
Chickenshed (talk | contribs) ((Admin) Starting to tidy up and restructure the correspondence course page, beginning with restructuring the introduction.) Tag: Visual edit |
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[[File:Cat distance learning.jpg|thumb|302x302px|Who says cats can't do online courses?]] |
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+ | =Distance Learning Courses and Providers= |
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| + | === Do I have to use a course or tutor? === |
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| + | No. Buying a distance learning course is not necessary in order to study for exams. |
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| ⚫ | Lots of home-ed students follow a DIY approach. They use the course textbook and supplement with online material (often free) and past exam papers (free, online) for practice and revision. You can find more advice for this approach on the [[Study Skills]] page. If you follow this approach, look at the individual[https://he-exams.wikia.org/wiki/Subjects subject] pages to see which textbooks are appropriate for the specification you are studying and always double-check that the textbooks are for the current syllabus. Availability of textbook answers can be important. Some companies only provide answers in a special 'Teacher's Guide', which can be horrendously expensive. |
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| ⚫ | However, distance learning courses do work well for |
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| ⚫ | However, distance learning courses do work well for some families. They can take the strain and a lot of responsibility from parental shoulders, especially if neither parent nor student is confident marking or checking the work. Note that while some children are self-motivated and capable of following a course without help, most courses will require some parental supervision and support. Distance learning courses are not a magic solution to home education; leaving a child to get on with a course on their own, without support, will not necessarily result in success. |
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| + | === Options for distance learning courses === |
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| + | There are 3 main options for distance learning courses (Some providers offer a range of these options at different price levels.) |
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| + | 1) '''Entirely self-led''' (paper or online). [Eg Conquermaths] These have no tutor support or marking. They are similar to a completely DIY approach, but provide the material in an orderly, ready-made structure, often with additional material, explanations or questions that might not be found in the textbook. They can be good for students who need a little bit more structure, but who like to do things at their own pace. These courses tend to be the cheaper option. |
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| + | 2) '''Self-led with tutor support''' or marking (paper or online). [Eg Echo Education] These courses offer a ready-made learning structure with the added bonus of receiving tutor feedback. The amount of tutor feedback will vary depending on the course: some courses will have ongoing interactive/email feedback, whilst others might only provide a set amount of marked assignments. The outside accountability, tutor feedback and (for some courses) regular deadlines can help students who need structure and help with marking. |
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| + | 3) '''Live online classes''' [eg Netschool] These are usually small group classes held on an online platform. Students log on and join the virtual class with a teacher on a regular (eg weekly) basis. Sometimes lessons are recorded, so that students can access them if they have missed a live session. Some live online class providers also provide additional material or assignments via their own online platform, googledocs, etc. These are generally the more expensive course option. However, for some subjects, eg learning foreign languages, they can be a much cheaper and convenient option than paying for a one-to-one face-to-face tutor. |
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| + | === Face-to-face and individual online tuition. === |
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| + | <br /> |
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== Distance Learning Providers == |
== Distance Learning Providers == |
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Revision as of 10:49, 19 February 2021
Who says cats can't do online courses?
Distance Learning Courses and Providers
Do I have to use a course or tutor?
No. Buying a distance learning course is not necessary in order to study for exams.
Lots of home-ed students follow a DIY approach. They use the course textbook and supplement with online material (often free) and past exam papers (free, online) for practice and revision. You can find more advice for this approach on the Study Skills page. If you follow this approach, look at the individualsubject pages to see which textbooks are appropriate for the specification you are studying and always double-check that the textbooks are for the current syllabus. Availability of textbook answers can be important. Some companies only provide answers in a special 'Teacher's Guide', which can be horrendously expensive.
However, distance learning courses do work well for some families. They can take the strain and a lot of responsibility from parental shoulders, especially if neither parent nor student is confident marking or checking the work. Note that while some children are self-motivated and capable of following a course without help, most courses will require some parental supervision and support. Distance learning courses are not a magic solution to home education; leaving a child to get on with a course on their own, without support, will not necessarily result in success.
Options for distance learning courses
There are 3 main options for distance learning courses (Some providers offer a range of these options at different price levels.)
1) Entirely self-led (paper or online). [Eg Conquermaths] These have no tutor support or marking. They are similar to a completely DIY approach, but provide the material in an orderly, ready-made structure, often with additional material, explanations or questions that might not be found in the textbook. They can be good for students who need a little bit more structure, but who like to do things at their own pace. These courses tend to be the cheaper option.
2) Self-led with tutor support or marking (paper or online). [Eg Echo Education] These courses offer a ready-made learning structure with the added bonus of receiving tutor feedback. The amount of tutor feedback will vary depending on the course: some courses will have ongoing interactive/email feedback, whilst others might only provide a set amount of marked assignments. The outside accountability, tutor feedback and (for some courses) regular deadlines can help students who need structure and help with marking.
3) Live online classes [eg Netschool] These are usually small group classes held on an online platform. Students log on and join the virtual class with a teacher on a regular (eg weekly) basis. Sometimes lessons are recorded, so that students can access them if they have missed a live session. Some live online class providers also provide additional material or assignments via their own online platform, googledocs, etc. These are generally the more expensive course option. However, for some subjects, eg learning foreign languages, they can be a much cheaper and convenient option than paying for a one-to-one face-to-face tutor.
Face-to-face and individual online tuition.
If you would prefer face-to-face teaching, or individual online tuition, see also the HE Group Learning and Tutor Recommendations facebook group.
Distance Learning Providers
See also individual subject pages for more options. Some of the following providers are nationwide companies which advertise widely. Others are home-education specialists, often current or former home-educating parents, who offer niche courses specifically to home-educating families.
The home-ed specialist courses are mostly run by home-ed parents who understand that home education can work in many different ways. Generally these courses will be cheaper than those provided by the big distance learning companies.
There is a Facebook group for Home Education Online Tutors and Groups, which may have additional listings or news. For more recommendations, ask on the HE exams and alternatives group
Providers, listed by subject
Scroll further down for a list of online schools and providers of multiple subjects
Astronomy
NEC (National Extension College).
Art
Arts Award Initiative for Arts Award and Bronze Crest Award, all online. Visit the facebook page (home ed arts award) for info and details
Dreaming Spires home learning 2-year Art History course to prepare students for Pearson A-level.
Online College of Art and Design (run by Cambridge home schooling) Range of art courses. Mixed reviews. If you sign up for an art qualification course, do make sure you have an exam centre that can facilitate the exam and will sign off the necessary coursework. Check trial/cancellation small print.
Oxford Teaching Trust: Online teachers co-operative offering a History of Art course.
Business Subjects
NEC (National Extension College).
Computer Science
Learntec home educator-run online Computer Science courses for A level, Cambridge IGCSE and KS3 Computer Science. Live classes with full support. Individual tuition and coaching are also available. Self-led courses also available. Learntec has had very good reviews on the HE Exam networks.
NSWLearning - (formerly NorthStarWorldwide)
Oxford Teaching Trust: Online teachers co-operative offering live, interactive IGCSE Computer Science courses.
English
Catherine Mooney Tutoring(Also available via Echo Education) English Language and English Literature.
Dreaming Spires Home Learning HE mum and CAIE Examine,r Dr Kat Patrick. English via deep reading and add-on writing extensions to prepare students for IGCSE English and literature exams. Also Dreaming Spires Revision online Cambridge IGCSE English Language crammer. Revision guide based on the course are available on Amazon
HomeMadeEducation offers IGCSE English Language (CAIE and Edexcel) and IGCSE English Literature (CAIE and Edexcel) in a variety of flexible formats.
NEC (National Extension College).
NSWLearning - (formerly NorthStarWorldwide).
Oxford Teaching Trust: Online teachers co-operative offering live interactive IGCSE and A Level English Literature and Language courses.
UK Virtual School See 'multiple subject provider' section below
Foreign Languages
Adventures in Spanish - online and in-person group classes and individual tuition. Message through Facebook group or through this website Recommended by several home educating families.
Dreaming Spires Home Learning provides French1, 2 and 3 as live, online group courses as well as Spanish 1, 2, and 3.
efrenchtuitiononlineOnline French tuition from ks3 to A level. Live classes or distance learning/self-led courses.
NEC (National Extension College).
NSWLearning - (formerly NorthStarWorldwide)
Oxford Teaching Trust Online teachers co-operative offering a variety of weekly live IGCSE and A Level language courses including: French, German and Spanish.
Geography
Echo EducationOffers Edexcel IGCSE geography
HomeMadeEducation Courses in IGCSE Environmental Management, Development Studies, Travel & Tourism, and Geography in a variety of flexible formats.
Humanatees Live online classes.
NEC (National Extension College).
NSWLearning - (formerly NorthStarWorldwide)
History
Dreaming Spires - Ancient History, (Rome and Greece), Modern and Mediaeval History.
Echo EducationCambridge IGCSE history
Humanatees Live online classes.
NSWLearning - (formerly NorthStarWorldwide)
Oxford Teaching Trust: Oonline teachers co-operative offering live interactive History IGCSE and A Level courses.
Law
(Note: GCSE Law has now been withdrawn. Last sitting was 2018. A Level Law is still currently available).
Mathematics
Absolute Maths Distance Learning Distance Learning courses for KS3 Maths, IGCSE/GCSE Maths and GCSE Statistics, 1 to 1 private tuition and an IGCSE/GCSE revision website. Option to purchase reduced rate course with recorded sessions only.
Conquermaths (self-led subscription. No tutor support). Discounted subscription available to home educators via the AWE home ed club. Ask on the HE exams and alternatives group for further info.
Dreaming Spires Home Learning Advanced Algebra/Probability course to prepare for the future in data analytics: wider, broader, deeper for GCSE students or a springboard to A-level and future mathematicians at uni.
Echo Education Ks3 and GCSE/IGCSE courses.
HomeMadeEducation: GCSE Courses in Statistics, in a variety of formats.
NEC (National Extension College).
NSWLearning - (formerly NorthStarWorldwide)
Oxford Teaching Trust: Online teachers co-operative offering live, weekly IGCSE maths lessons.
Pembrokeshire College online Offers courses in IGCSE and A level maths
Penny Chivers HE-friendly distance maths tutor. KS3 and online IGCSE classes.
UK Virtual School See 'multiple subject provider' section below
Religious Studies
Humanatees Live online classes.
NSWLearning - (formerly NorthStarWorldwide)
Sciences
Science courses with tutor support
Candochem Live, structured, online classes for IGCSE Chemistry, for home ed students.Weekly (self marked homework), Half termly teacher marked tests and a weekly drop-in session included.
Dreaming Spires Home Learning CAIE exam sciences through living books and contemporary issues, while covering topics in the exam syllabus. General Science course for those not ready to hone down for exams yet.
Echo Education Chemistry, Biology, Human Biology, Physics and Double Science. With or without tutor support.
Humanatees Live online classes.
IGCSE Science Courses (Self-led, no tutor feedback) Graham Bray provides a series of video tutorials for Biology, Physics and Chemistry for one set fee. He also provides a KS3 science course. There is currently a discounted subscription available to home educators via the PopArt group.
LearnersCloud (self-led, no tutor feedback) subscription to educational videos sorted by curriculum. Free trial available. Short videos to introduce each topic, so you could watch the video before working through your textbook chapter.
Little ArthurOld-school provider. No online interaction. Ks3 and Ks4.
Mr Exham youtube channel (Free video resources, no tutor) Free comprehensive videos for Edexcel IGCSE biology and A level Biology. Additional (paid) resources are available from the Mr Exham website Focus is on Edexcel IGCSE Biology and A level biology.
NEC (National Extension College).
NSWLearning - (formerly NorthStarWorldwide)
Oxford Teaching Trust: Online teachers co-operative offering live, weekly IGCSE and A Level Chemistry, Physics and Biology lessons.
Pembrokeshire College online Offers courses in IGCSE and A level sciences (including practical endorsements for A levels)
South West Science School Online self-study courses with weekly question sheets and mock exams.
UK Virtual School See 'multiple subject provider' section below
Social Sciences/Humanities subjects
HomeMadeEducation Psychology, Sociology and Economics in a variety of formats. A level courses also offered.
Humanatees Live online classes.
NEC (National Extension College).
NSWLearning - (formerly NorthStarWorldwide)
Whole Brain Home Education Interactive online tuition sessions in Sociology that use a whole brain approach to learning. One-year sociology course from May-exams. Students receive packs with all resources including text books.
Multiple Subject Distance Learning Course Providers
Dreaming Spires Home Learning Ancient History, Modern History (with Yvonne Mason), General Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, Spanish, Mathematics, Art History, Geography, and a Creative Writing course.
Echo Education Science, History, Geography and Maths at IGCSE/GCSE level, plus some subjects at KS3.
HomeMadeEducation: Wide range of GCSE/IGCSE and A level courses. Offers IGCSE Economics, IGCSE Business Studies, GCSE Statistics, IGCSE Travel and Tourism, IGCSE Development Studies in a variety of flexible formats. Developed by a home educator for home educators. (A level courses also offered in some subjects)
Humanatees Range of humanities, science and history subjects at ks3 and IGCSE via online live classes.
Interhigh - Online School. Please beware that their safeguarding policy says that they will inform your LA when you register, when you leave, and if there are attendance issues, and in multiple other circumstances. While some home educators have found their classes satisfactory for their child, there are have also been a number of poor reviews.
Little ArthurOld-schoolcourse provider offering a range of subjects at Ks3 and Ks4. £255 per IGCSE. One of the few providers for IGCSE agriculture (will need to attend centre for practical components). Self-led with tutor support, no online setup. Note their courses are usually for Cambridge IGCSE exams, so you will need an exam centre that can facilitate Cambridge exams.
NEC (National Extension College) - Long established not for profit (run by a registered charity) provider. They have online courses for (I)GCSES, A-levels and a number of other qualifications. They have partner exam centres in some cities, and can arrange subjects with NEA (coursework) components through those.
Net School - online provider of various subjects. Study a single subject, or combination of subjects, from primary to A level. Live lessons, which are recorded. Offers a limited selection of A level subjects. Generally gets good reviews on home ed networks..
My Online Schooling similar to Net School in that they provide live, online group classes for various subjects. Covering KS2 through to GCSE/IGCSE and with options to study individual or a combination of subjects.
NSWLearning - (formerly NorthStarWorldwide) former home educators who set up specialist online learning provider in 1999. From 2018 IGCSEs are now purchased as complete courses and can be begun at almost any time of year. Prices have dropped significantly - complete IGCSEs cost £450 and pre-IGCSE courses are £225. NSW is also an exam centre for CAiE, Edexcel and OCR.
Oxford Home Schooling Wide range of IGCSEs. Sliding scale costs, £350 for one IGCSE. No connection to the university. Has had some good reviews from home educators, and some not-so-good, but it depends how well you get on with your subject tutor. See below for reviews.
Oxford Teaching Trust: Online teachers co-operative offering a holistic approach to learning as well as IGCSEs and A Levels. Subjects include: Chemistry, Physics, Biology, History, English Literature, English Language, French, German, Spanish and Maths. Extra curricular lessons include Philosophy, Symposiums, Yoga, Meditation, Creative Writing and History of Art. With live weekly interactive lessons, led by highly qualified and experienced teachers.
ThinkersMeetUp offer curriculum-based and interest-based live, online classes for students covering Classics, English Language and Literature, Maths, Science, Coding, Music and Art and Philosophy, Politics and Society for 7 - 18 year olds.
UK Virtual School Set up for homeschooling families in June 2020. Core subjects IGCSE English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and GCSE Maths (Edexcel for all) offered as 2 &. 3 year programmes. Offers live interactive small group (also recorded) and webinar (recorded) style classes available. Commitment from as little as a month. All teachers are specialists in their areas. Classes available from Year 1 to GCSE
Wolsey Hall Cambridge-accredited online school. offering Maths at Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE and A Level (including Further Maths). Online and offline study; no live lessons. Online learning platform with support from tutors. The student community provides clubs and competitions. Note that they mostly offer courses for Cambridge exam board, so do make sure you have an exam centre that is registered for Cambridge exams.
Reviews and Advice from Home Educators
Reviews have been moved to Reviews of distance learning providers. Many are quite old and are in the process of being updated.
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