About Online Learning at Visions of Art
Who can take an VoA online course?
Students with a special interest in the topic or those who want to transfer credit to another institution may be eligible to register in an Visions of Art online course. For more information on admissions please visit Admissions.
How can I register for an online course?
Apply for online student status by filling out the Online Application Form.
What are the fees for the online course?
Tuition plus associated costs are €175.
There may be additional costs for supplies and other materials depending on how you want to produce your work. In addition, the course may have specific hardware and software requirements. Please check the for more information in determining the cost of required materials and equipment.
If you have further questions or need clarification contact us:
Email:
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About online learning generally
What are online courses?
Online courses are those conducted over the Internet. Courses are offered on a dedicated course website and via e-mail. Students register for courses, and a lecturer teaches the material. Assignments and discussions take place through forums. VoA Online Learning courses are primarily asynchronous, which means that you can log on at any time to participate, there are also synchronous components such as chats. Courses have designated start and end dates, with assignments scheduled by the lecturer or moderator.
What are the benefits of online learning?
Some of the benefits are obvious: for people who live far away from the teaching base, online learning opens up educational opportunities never before available. Besides regular full-time students can communicate with professionals and people from other countries. Some find it too difficult to travel to a face-to-face classroom and find online learning advantageous.
Online courses also allow you to work independently and absorb material at your own pace, but still offer a great deal of personal contact with your classmates and lecturer. Students report an excellent level of interaction with their professor and encounter a diverse group of students.
Is an online course right for me?
An Online Learning Course is best if you are self-motivated enough to work on your own. Online students also need to be able to follow written instructions and communicate in writing. You would benefit most if you are a keen reader. You need to feel comfortable with the technology of e-mail, the Web, and opening and sending file attachments – and you must have regular access to a computer with sufficient memory and a reliable Internet connection. For more information visit . Keep in mind that online courses provide a great deal of written interaction amongst students and the lecturers, with no face-to-face interaction.
Will I miss the face-to-face contact of a classroom. Will I be able to communicate with the instructor or other students?
A lot of people think that they'll feel isolated in an online course. To their surprise, most find that online courses actually provide a high degree of personal contact. Not only will you and your professor communicate directly, everyone in the class will be involved in many group and individual discussions. The online format actually facilitates and enhances contact in ways that would be impossible in other situations.
How much time does an online course take?
This depends on the course, but as a minimum you should set aside three hours per week for regular class activities (that is, for what you would normally do in a face-to-face classroom), plus some more hours for working on your project, for reading, exercises, research, etc. The advantage of an online course is that large portions, often the entire course, is asynchronous, that is, you participate on your own schedule and do not have to be at a given place at a given time. However, students most benefit from being online regularly and that falling behind in projects and assignments is not an option.
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About technical concerns
Do I have to have a computer at home?
It is preferable to have a computer at home if you do not have regular access to a computer elsewhere (e.g. on campus). You will need to have your own access to a computer with broadband access (cable or ADSL) to the Internet.
What type of computer equipment will I need?
VoA supports both Mac and PC users. Beyond that it will depend largely on the artistic media you are working with. A course involving high-resolution images and video, for instance, might require a more powerful computer than one involving only discussion forums, text submissions and email communication. However, at a minimum, you will require a computer with reliable Internet access.
What sort of software is required ?
You should have the most recent version of an Internet browser (Mozilla Firefox is preferred for our Learning Management System) available.
There may be specific software requirements for a course. For instance, you may need a photoediting program like Photoshop or a sound editing program. If needed for a course, you will find specific software requirements listed with the course description.
If you work on non digital formats a scanner could be helpful.
Do I need broadband Internet access (i.e. cable or ADSL connection)?
A broadband connection is preferable for online learning, as up and downloading large files is very slow with other types of service. It may also be difficult or impossible to view all visual course material or upload your assignments. In addition your Internet connection should be reliable and easy to access.
How can I access my course once I have registered?
A username and a password will be assigned when you register. You are required to use them to log in. After your application is accepted you will receive instructions from us how you will be able to log in.
Who can I contact if I'm encountering problems?
If you have problems concerning the course and/or technical issues you should contact the moderator through the course website or mail to
What prior technological training is required to take online courses?
Students are expected to be familiar with word processing, basic email and web browsing. You must have a valid email address to register in these courses.
Individual courses may have specific requirements. If needed for a course, you will find information listed with the course description.
Do I have to make any hardware or software purchases and are there other costs apart from registration?
Some courses may require that you have access to certain hardware and software. If you do not have this access and are not able to get it we try to provide you with free software programs if needed.
If you are a currently enrolled in a University, check with your professor to see if there is such access available on campus.
Please ask for more answers if needed!
