Distance
Learning in Hong Kong
A number of American
universities offer distance learning programs in Hong Kong. When deciding about
whether or not to pursue a distance learning program, or when trying to decide
among different programs, the following are some questions you may want to consider:
- Do you find
the course objectives suitable for you?
- Do you find
the subjects interesting and matching your needs?
- Do you think
the subject coverage matches the course objectives?
- How do you find
the subject coverage of the course – adequate, too extensive, too narrow?
- Do you think
the course duration is just right, too short, or too long to cover the subjects?
Does it allow you time for private study and research?
- Can you commit
yourself to that length of time for study?
- Do you find
the mode of delivery suitable for you?
- Is the total
number of teaching/study hours excessive or too small bearing in mind the
subject coverage?
- Do you find
the fee reasonable? What are included in the fees?
- What are the
payment arrangements and refund arrangement? Have you read the refund policy?
Are they reasonable?
- Is the course
being offered elsewhere besides Hong Kong?
- Do you think
with your academic background and other experience you will be able to cope
with the studies?
- Do you have
the necessary language proficiency to cope with the course?
- In cases where
you barely meet the entry requirements or have left schools for a considerable
period of time, do you think you need to take some bridging subjects before
the course starts? And are any of those subjects available?
- How convenient
is the teaching venue to you?
- Do you think
you can cope with the assessment methods? Do you find the assessment methods
appropriate for a course at this level?
- What is the
role of the local organization?
- Are you confident
with the local organization about the way assessment/examination is conducted?
- Does the course
provide any distance learning/self-study materials? Are they adequate for
the mode of delivery (for example where there is no or limited teaching)?
Can you see samples of these materials?
- Do you have
information on who will be teaching the course, and their qualifications and
experience?
- Do you find
the proportion of local and non-local staff teaching the course acceptable?
- Does the course
have a local content which suits your needs?
- Do you think
you need any course support? Is it available? Is there any access to home/local
staff? By what means and how frequent and structured is this? Is there any
supervision provided if you need to undertake research?
- What are the
actual library facilities available in terms of size, service, collection,
and other information links? Can you have access to the home institutions’
library collection? Are there sufficient research resources for you if you
need to complete a project/dissertation?
- Where teaching,
examination, and assessment are involved, are you confident that the local
organization can perform effectively?
- Do you know
whether the course is recognized and by whom?
- Do you know
who are responsible for setting and marking course work and examinations?
Are they home staff or local staff?
- Do you know
which institution is awarding the qualification?
- Does the professional
recognition, if any, meet your requirement?
- Does the qualification
enable you to progress with your career?
- Does the qualification
enable you to take up further studies in the same and other institutions?
Adapted from
Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation's 1999-2000 Academic Programmes
Guide: A guidebook on programs and courses of study offered in Hong Kong by
non-local institutions.