Kilroy’s College is proud to be able to offer an open and online education to anyone who has the desire to learn regardless of age or ability. We actively encourage people to go back to education and master a new skill. As a result we have had many mature learners studying with us in the College over the past 70 years.
Bridging the Digital Divide
We have more than 80 different courses to choose from at the College – something for everyone – the perfect Christmas or Birthday gift for a loved one. An online course is a gift which is both enjoyable and practical. A positive by-product of studying online is that it can also help to bridge the digital divide between younger digital natives and digital immigrants. Digital skills are honed and developed as our students get more tech savvy with our help!
An Online Creative Writing Student’s Story
Here is an extract from a letter that we received last week from one of our mature students. He is currently studying our Creative Writing online course with his Kilroy’s College tutor, the published author, Eileen Casey.
“To My Tutor,
The course has encouraged me to use Microsoft Word again after a long period of time. Hopefully I will be able to learn again how to send articles by e-mail like I used to, to the local papers.
As a result of enrolling for your course I requested my Internet service man to come and tune up my Internet. I got the flu during November so that slowed down the pace of my study and of answering the Assignment questions, but I am really enjoying my course now.”
Online Students – How it Works
Once enrolled, our online students are instructed in how to create an online account in our Virtual Campus and are assisted in this by our in-house Online Co-Ordinator, Valentyna.
They then get full access to their chosen course online and follow the course contents online. They upload their course assignments and assessments onto our Virtual Campus for correction and feedback from their personal tutor.
Enrolment Pack
We also courier some of our online students a hard copy of their course contents. They are sent an enrolment pack which typically contains a course theory textbook, course lessons, stationery and a Student Handbook.
Personal Tutor
Students can contact their personal tutor privately (by email) or publicly (by Direct Message) at any time during their studies.
Facebook Forum
Some of our courses also have a private forum for students, which is hosted by Facebook. They exchange tips, tricks and information here and can also chat to each other online.
We are not alone in encouraging the older generation to get online and have fun – whether it is learning a new skill, getting social on Facebook or hitting the shops from the comfort of home – learning how to navigate the Internet brings self-empowerment and can boost self-esteem and well-being.
Facebook told us that they ran a pilot project in October 2016 in Dublin to assist the elderly to connect with family and friends on Facebook and have just launched a Parents Portal which contains information on how to get the best experience and how to navigate safely on Facebook for parents and grandparents.
€100 Discount
So, why not surprise an older friend or relative this year with the gift of online education? We have gift vouchers available or you can browse our list of courses and pick something that may be of interest – and if you use the discount code XMAS6 before midnight Christmas Eve when enrolling online you will be able to save a whooping €100!