Studying a programme by distance learning with the International Centre for Heritage is not the lonely experience that distance learning once might have been.
The programmes are designed to keep you in touch with fellow students and tutors and give you good opportunities to meet them at the beginning and at study schools.
Courses
Virtual learning environment
Our ‘virtual learning environment’ is a website which uses software known as Canvas. It holds the teaching materials you will need as well as the discussion groups. You don’t have to buy or install any new software.
Canvas also contains links to online resources such as libraries, e-journals and any webpages which provide useful content for the programme. Your programme is structured so that every taught module is broken down into a number of sections, each of which discusses particular issues. You will follow the module, one section at a time.
For each session you are required to read through a set of specified readings, listen to a recorded lecture and go through background materials which can include both text and videos, and then to contribute to online group discussions on that issue with your ‘classmates’ and tutor.
You will not be expected to log on at specified times for discussions but to contribute to a discussion group in writing, so that everyone can participate irrespective of their schedules, which will vary considerably between the students depending on e.g. their work commitments and which time zones our many international students are in.
Tutoring
The exact set-up for personal tutoring will depend on the number of students taking a programme in any year but you will always have a personal tutor who will provide guidance on your assessed assignments. You will normally remain with this tutor throughout the programme.
Tutors will be available by email during UK office hours (Monday to Friday, 9:00-17:00). We aim to reply to you within 48 hours. You will have minimum one formal tutorial each term, so that we can ensure that your academic progress is on track, but you can also contact your personal tutor with inquiries on an ongoing basis when the need arises.”.