About Athabasca University in general:
Athabasca University is one of the Canada's Open University take the policy of removing the restricts and borders to the access and to the success in the university and its level's study in order to increase the quality of education for adult learners internationally.
The idea of the Athabasca University was designed and founded by Order in the Council of the Government of Alberta on June 25, 1970. It was imaginary conceived as a traditional depends on campus institution, AU replaced courses in 1972 through a pilot project to test the concept of an open and distance university.
Then it keeps with its regulations to explore the new ways of sending post-secondary education to students anywhere, anytime without any effort, AU pioneered the use of computers to send online courses. Today, AU is one of the world’s primarily and the fastest growing online and distance education institutions, serving over 37,000 students internationally. AU offers more than 700 courses in more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs in a range of arts, science and professional disciplines.
Regulations & Modes:
According to the university systems and rules, students could get enrolled into the different courses via one of the following modes:
1- Study as an Individual: There are many formats of the mode of studying individually and students may take one of the following form.
Online web-based courses
These courses are based on Web to deliver the material online. You as a student can access into any of your course materials online and you can receive the print course materials package by mail. You need access to a computer and your own Internet connection to be able to access the whole system. As an advice, you should refer to the suggested minimum computer requirements.
Print-based courses
To receive your course materials by mail on your home or workplace. Any Web-based, online components of your course are optional.
2- Study as part of a Group: Another way of studying is to form groups according to the following forms:
Classroom setting at a collaborating institution or learning centre
Forming groups to let students typically be part to attend the courses in a classroom. Courses are being delivered and forward to the students via the use of a designated time period at collaborating institutions. However, teleconferencing and videoconferencing may allow students to attend many of the group to study at a distance.
Web-based, online environment
You study with groups in a Web-based, online environment. Students can receive a print course materials package by mail. Course materials are usually done and assigned by online group discussions and learning activities.
Delivery Methods
Each course might use a combination of methods in order to deliver the material. In order to have a qualified register for an online course, an access to a computer with an Internet connection is needed. There are many methods to be used including the following ones:
· multi-media online activities
· print materials
· web
· e-mail
· Internet
· CD-Rom
· computer software
· audio/video conferencing
· audio/video tapes and
· TV or radio
Policy:
In order to organize the whole learning processes so as an AU distance education student there are many policies that you should follow including the following ones:
- Work from anywhere, such as your home or workplace.
- Work at your own space, on a schedule that suits your individual needs.
- Register for a single course or enroll in an undergraduate or graduate degree, diploma or any certificate program.
Being part of the AU, you are allowed to choose the courses or programs that as a student may be used within one or more delivery modes to instruct and guide students in their studies. Students can select the studying method they prefer, the course instruction centres, or on a course materials package to be developed by a team of subject matter experts. To start dates, it depends on the institution and the course and different course length for funded students.
Support:
As an AU student, there are many benefits from an extensive network of student services including access to one-on-one support from faculty members, academic advisors, counsellors, tutors, help-desk personnel and other support staff who will, together, provide students with information, advice, and service.
One of the unique services in this university is the range of individual accommodations and support services which are available to students with physical, sensory, psychological or learning disabilities.
Research is an important part when it comes to academic studies as a result; AU is also committed to facilitate student research and supports students in their research activities through an endowment for scholarships and funding for special research projects.
Costs:
AU course fees are almost the cost of books and most other learning materials, so students can pay as followed: one course at a time, or more - whatever is best for them. When it comes to getting a degree from a conventional university, the greatest cost associated lies not in the cost of the education itself but in lost income from taking time off work and the expense of living away from home for several years.
