We run an entirely online MSc for healthcare professionals in Oncology and Palliative Care, but I have never actually studied via e-learning…until now! I have just started studying an MSc course which is delivered entirely online and I just wanted to share my experience of e-learning from a student perspective.

At first I was apprehensive, after spending so long supporting my own students and saying things like “online learning is the future”…what if I couldn’t hack studying online? What if I wasn’t motivated enough?

So how is it going you ask?  Well I am thoroughly enjoying it, I can’t deny that it is a completely different experience to any previous learning but I have found that there is far more support than on my face-to-face undergraduate degree.   The best element, I find, is the online discussion boards and online tutorials, these let you know that you are on the right track, that the other people are “real” and they are facing with the same issues as you. Grappling with technology when you are on your own can be daunting but there is always someone to help you, via email, phone or discussion board and if you ask the group via discussion, someone has probably already had that issue and worked it out, all you need to do is ask!

I have found the key to a successful week is getting a really good routine, at the start of the week making a list of everything that needs to be done for that topic and then making a plan for the week. My approach has been to do a bit of work every evening, and then it doesn’t feel like it is taking up ALL of your time.

So what are the negative aspects…Of course it does take up quite a bit of time and the housework is certainly falling by the wayside and I am also boring people to tears by telling them ALL about the things I have learnt that week, but they are yet to tell me to shut up (there is still time!)

It is so convenient to be able to study from anywhere with an internet connection, no need to leave the house when it’s raining and blowing a gale. Just open your laptop, get a comfy chair and a cup of tea (and may be some cake) and you are good to go! The take home message…. I still think e-learning is great and now I have first-hand experience! Give it a go!

Ellie