Image: Curtin University
Online learning is a growth area across the entire tertiary sector, even extending to the studios of fine art students.
The arts are one area where campus attendance has often been seen as essential. But Open Universities Australia and Curtin University offer a Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) and Visual Culture online.
The course allows students the opportunity to suit their timetable to their personal schedule and work in the convenience of the own studio or workspace, at a time that best suits them creatively.
In fact the online method of study provides useful preparation for the future industry, where practitioners will increasingly be dependent on the digital to communication and develop their career potential.
Online learning is attractive for an increasing range of students: those who are already working in an industry and want to expand their skills, those who are looking to make a career change and those who want to fit study around family responsibilities.
Curtin University works with Open Universities Australia to offer campus-free online learning, both undergraduate and postgraduate, across a wide range of disciplines.
‘It’s about having the flexibility of anytime, anywhere, anyhow learning. We make a lot of it not time-specific so the student can fit it in with their lifestyle,’ says Julie Brunner, Online Academic Programs Coordinator at Curtin University.
Brunner said online learning allowed students to study without giving up their day jobs.
‘They probably have commitments which mean they don’t have the flexibility of giving up their existing job to study full-time. So most of the students are working and studying; they need the flexibility of online study which they can do during work breaks or after work or on the weekends. Lots of universities offer students incentives to enrol: iPads and so on. I’ve often thought we should offer pyjamas!’ notes Brunner.
In addition to the undergraduate programs, Master-level programs attract a range of students looking to pursue higher qualifications. The Master of Urban and Regional Planning has been taught at Curtin for more than 45 years. Now the online course through OUA enables people with an interest in the development of cities, regional areas and communities to enter the program, and study wherever they live.
Visit OUA for more information on the range of degrees offered through Curtin University.
