For many years I have asked candidates in my 17th and 18th Edition classes if they would consider studying the subject online. The response was generally negative as they preferred the personal aspect to tutorial support and, no doubt, quite enjoyed the banter with their peers. Things have changed and the choice is no longer available. The problem seems to be that the accreditation bodies dont appear to have any facility in place that would allow candidates to sit the exam from an online station other than in an approved centre. If the industry continues to demand that operatives are up to speed with the latest regulations then things are going to have to be done smarter!
I have just finished an Open University course in French. No books this year, virtually all online although the text, audio, and video materials were available to download. One face to face tutorial (should have been two but for coronavirus) and a residential for 6 days, but an online alternative for those who were unable to travel. The rest of the tutorials were online in real time through Adobe Connect. All the assessments both written and audio were sent in electronically.
So I don't think that it would be difficult to do Nth Edn online.
I can see the sense of having approved exam centres - it prevents the use of supplementary materials, assistance, and other methods of cheating.
I have just finished an Open University course in French. No books this year, virtually all online although the text, audio, and video materials were available to download. One face to face tutorial (should have been two but for coronavirus) and a residential for 6 days, but an online alternative for those who were unable to travel. The rest of the tutorials were online in real time through Adobe Connect. All the assessments both written and audio were sent in electronically.
So I don't think that it would be difficult to do Nth Edn online.
I can see the sense of having approved exam centres - it prevents the use of supplementary materials, assistance, and other methods of cheating.
